HISTORY 




OF 



Johnson County, Iowa, 



CONTAINING A ; 



HISTORY OF THE COUNTY, 



AND ITS 



TOWNSHIPS.CITIES AND VILLAGES 



PBOM 



1836 to 1883. 



TOGETHER WITH 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OP MANY ENTERPRISING FARMERS, MERCHANTS, MECHAN- 

ICS, PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS MEN; A CONDENSED HISTORY OP THE 

state; the CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES; AN ABSTRACT OP 

THE MOST IMPORTANT LAWS; THE NATURAL HISTORY OP THE 

county; ITS organization; its political and relig- 
ious history; agriculture, horticulture 
AND stock-raising; war record ; town- 
ship histories; churches; schools; 
railroads and business enter- 
prises; miscellaneous mat- 
ters, etc., etc. 



IOWA CITY, IOWA. 

1883. 



^^3 



'It 



PREFACE. 



The writer of this History of Johnson County is under obligations 
to several persons for their friendly co-operation, and in some cases very 
especial and valuable assistance in preparing matter for our use, or furn- 
ishing documents, taking us to a personal inspection of historic scenes and 
localities, etc., without which we could not have succeeded in making so 
valuable and complete a work as is here now presented. 

Hon. Henry Felkner furnished us, in his own handwriting, his well 
written sketch of the pioneer days, in which he was himself so prominent 
an actor in the affairs of the young community. Hon. John P. Irish said 
with a plump, hearty welcome: "There's all my newspaper files; and 
there's my library; take anything you want, whenever you want it, and 
as loner as you want it — all I ask is that you bring it back!" Col. S. C. 
Trowbridge, who is himself a walking encyclopedia of early history, and 
has more old historic documents tucked away for time of need than any 
five other men in the county.^vvas more than generous in his kind and 
helpful assistance in finding old documents and records which we wanted; 
and in many ways his friendlr offices were most valuable, for all which 
the whole county as well as ourselves owe him lasting thanks. Others 
who took some pains to assist us either with their own writing, or with 
books, records, documents, reports, transcripts, etc., that were really need- 
ful, were: Prof. T. S. Parvin; President J. L. Pickard; ex-Governor 
SamuelJ.Kirkwood;Prof. Samuel Calvin; Prof G. Hinrichs; Mr. Bohumil 
Shimek, a University student from Jefierson township; M. W. Cook, of 
Oxford ; Mrs. Mary Hamilton, of Clear Creek, assisted by Bryan Dennis, 
Hon, George Paul, and others of the old, old settlers; A. G. Runyon, of 
Penn township; LeGrand Byington, of Lucas township; Postmaster 
Jacob Ricord; County Auditor, A. Medowell; Clerk of District Court, 
Stephen Bradley; Wm. H. Fleming, of Des Moines, who was for ten or 
twelve years private Secretary to successive Governors of Iowa, and is now 
preparing a volume of state census and all civil statistics by counties and 
townships; and to the venerable Hon. Edward Langworthy, of Dubuque. 
Also to the superintendents of the State Blind Asylum, Deaf Mute Asylum 
and the Penitentiary at Fort Madison, for full and prompt response to our 
inquiries after Johnson county people in those state institutions. Some of 
the other controlingr officers of state institutions either paid no regard to 
our request, or else flatly refused to give us the information desired. 

The labor of preparing a full history of this county has been very great, 
for there is a great amount of real history here, more, perhaps, than in 
any other county in the state, owing to the State Capital, State University, 
and other institutions having had their beginnings here. 



8 PREFACE. 

We had no friends to puff nor enemies to punch ; no old sores to pick open, 
nor old scores to even up; but "with charity for all and malice toward 
none," we have wrought patiently, diligently and conscientiously at our 
task to the end. We have aimed to make this volume so rehable and 
complete that it will take rank at once as a standard cyclopedia of John- 
son county history and interests, alike in the family, the private office, the 
county offices, or the township ^^board meetings. And trusting that this 
high aim has been reasonably well achieved, we herewith submit our 
volume to the judgment and the service of its patrons. 

Respectfully, The Editor, 

And the Publishers. 

Iowa City, Iowa, December 1, 1882. 



INDEX TO STATE HISTORY. 



Discovery and Occupation 17 

The Original Owners. 25 

Pike's Expedition 29 

Indian Wars 30 

The Black Hawk War 35 

Indian Purchases, Reserves and 

Treaties 37 

Spanish Grants 41 

The Half-Breed Tract 42 

Early Settlements 44 

Territorial History 51 

The Boundary Question 55 

State Organization 59 

The Agricultural College and 

Farm 64 

The State University 65 

State Historical Society 72 

The Penitentiary 72 

Additional Penitentiary 73 

Iowa Hospital for the Insane (Mt. 

Pleasant^ 74 

Hospital for the Insane (Indepen- 
dence) 74 

Iowa College for the Blind 75 

Institution for the Deaf and Dumb 77 

Soldiers' Orphans' Home 77 

State Normal School 79 

Reform School for Girls 79 

Asylum for Feeble-Minded Child- 
ren 79 

The Reform School 80 

Fish Hatching Establishment. ... 81 

The Public Lands 82 

The Public Schools 96 

Political Record — Territorial Of- 
ficers 100 

Officers of the State Government.lOO 
The Judiciary — Supreme Court of 

Iowa 102 

Congressional Representation 102 

War Record 104 

Infantry 108 

Cavalry 119 

Artillery 122 

Number of Troops furnished by 
the State of Iowa, during the 
War of the Rebellion, to Janu- 
ary 1, 1865 125 



Constitution of the United States 
of America and its Amend- 
ments 126 

Bills of Exchange and Promissory 

Notes 138 

Interest 138 

Descent 138 

Wills and Estates of Deceased 

Persons 139 

Taxes 140 

Jurisdiction of Courts 142 

Limitation of Actions 142 

Jurors 142 

Capital Punishment 143 

Rights of Married Women 143 

Exemption from Execution 143 

Estrays 145 

Wolf Scalps 145 

Marks and Brands 145 

Damages from Trespass 145 

Fences 145 

Mechanics' Liens 146 

Roads and Bridges 147 

Adoption of Children 148 

Surveyors and Surveys 148 

Support of Poor 148 

Landlord and Tenant 149 

Weights and Measures 150 

Definition of Commercial Terms. 150 

Notes 151 

Orders 151 

Receipts 151 

Bills of Purchase 151 

Confession of Judgement 151 

Articles of Agreement 152 

Bills of Sale 153 

General form of Will for Real and 

Personal Property 154 

Codicil 155 

batisfaction of Mortgage 155 

Forms of Real Estate Mortgage. .156 

Form of Lease 157 

Form of Note 158 

Warranty Deed 159 

Quit-Claim Deed 160 

Bond for Deed 160 

Charitable, Scientific and Relig- 
ious Institutions 161 



INDEX OF COUNTY HISTORY. 



CHAPTER I— PART 1. 

The County's Name— Sketch of Col. " Rumpsy-Dumpsy" Johnson— S. C Trowbridge 
the First County Officer— Rival County Seats— Act to Organize— First County 
Board Meeting — Removal of County Seat, etc 165-178 

CHAPTER I— PART 2. 

First Election Precincts— First Road Districts— Complete List of Present Civil Town- 
ships, their dates of organization, Post Offices, etc 179-185 

CHAPTER II— PART 1. 

Historic Elections— Successive County Officers— The Grand Parliament— Higher 
Political Honors— Post Office Matters- Census by Townships, 1850 to 1880 185-204 

CHAPTER 11— PART 2. 

First District Court— First Criiminal Case (Gregg)— First Court in Iowa City— First 
Naturalizations— A Gang of Petty Thieves— A $5,000 Robbery— The Boyd Wilkin- 
son Tragedy 204-319 

CHAPTER III— PART 1. 

Court House and Jail— County Poor Farm — Complete List of County Bride;es. 1876, 
1881— Early Roads and Ferries 220-236 

CHAPTER III— PART 2. 

Railroad Bond Votes— Frauds— Swindles— Lawsuits— Big Taxes to Pay, etc 237-268 

CHAPTER III— PART 3. 

First Tax list, 1838— First Tuxes Collected, 1839~First County Orders— Financial 
Reports— A Loan Voted- A Lost Record— Financial Troubles in 1861, Etc.— Statistics 
of 1881— Finances in 1881-'82 268-287 

CHAPTER IV— PART 1. 

Mound Builders — Ancient Mounds Indians — etc., — in Johnson County 288-299 

CHAPTER IV— PART 2. 

The First Trading House— First Setilers— First Babies— First Wedding— First Deaths 
— First Doctors — First 4th of July-First Hotel and Other Buildings in Iowa City 
—First Mill Dams 800 312 

CHAPTER IV— PART 3. 

Old Settlers' Organization — Constitution — Enrolled Names — Various Meetings — Offi- 
cers, etc 312-323 

CHAPTER V— PART 1. 

The "Claim Association"- Its Organization, Officers, Members, Mode of Operation 
—Results 323-331 



INDEX TO COUNTY HISTORY. 11 

CHAPTER V— PART 2. 

Agriculture — Live Stock Interests— Horticulture— Land Values — Birds, Bees, etc. .331-367 

CHAPTER VI-PART 1. 

Newspapers and Libraries — History of the "Iowa City Republican" — History of the 
"State Press" — Other Newspapers — History of the Masonic Library — Of the State 
University Library — Of the State Historical Society's Library — State Librarians, Prof. 
Parvin and Mrs. North 368-380 

CHAPTER VI— PART 2. 

First Schools and Colleges — Public Schools — Local History of the State University- 
Johnson County People in other State Institutions 381-406 

CHAPTER VI— PART 3. 

The Temperance Question 407-415 

CHAPTER VI— PART 4. 

Notes in 1840-41 — Trowbridge's County History — The Gov. Lucas Homestead — Ex- 
Gov. Kirkwood as Road Supervisor — Jim Hamilton's "Gunpowder Plot" — A. Benev- 
olent Crank — Confusion of Names — Bible Society 415-435 

CHAPTER VII— PART 1. 

Steamboats at Iowa City — First Legislature at Iowa City — Hummer's Bell — A Cyclone 
— A Great Fire — Obsequies to President Lincoln — A Winter of Distress — The Spell- 
ing Mania — Paper Mill Explosion (Six Persons Killed) at Coralville — Iowa City's 
Historic Wind Storm — Snow-Bound — A Double Tragedy (the Stein Murder and Sui- 
cide.) 426-448 

CHAPTER VII— PART 2. 

Governor Lucas — John Gilbert — Joseph F. Fales — Capt. F. M. Irish — Dr. Wm. Vogt. 
—Hon. Rush Clark 449-463 

CHAPTER VII— PART 3. 

A Negro Boy Sold — Two Black Girls Kidnapped — Old John Brown's Night Escape 
froni an Iowa City Mob 463-477 

CHAPTER VIII— PART 1. 

Johnson's County's "Boys in Blue" — The War of the Great Rebellion 477-517 

CHAPTER VIII— PART 2. 

Soldiers' Bounty andRelief Funds— List of Soldiers' Wives aided— The Military Draft 
— Reception of Returned Regiment — List of Johnson County Men in the Mexican 
War — Johnson County's "Mormon War." ... 517-530 

CHAPTER IX— PART 1. 

Geography, Topography, Hydrography, Climatology— The Iowa Weather Service, 530-543 

CHAPTER IX— PART 2. 

Two State Geologists.— U. S. Geologists at Iowa City.--Prot. Agassiz at Iowa City. — 
Prof. Calvin's List of Fossils of Johnson County 544-560 



12 INDEX OF COUNTY HISTORY. 

CHAPTER IX— PART 3. 

A Lesson in Zoology— Mr. Shimek's Report— Lists of Beasts, Birds, Reptiles, Fishes 
—Native Animals— Bear and Wolf Stories— Wolf Scalp Bounties— The Game Law- 
Game and Fish Interests 561-579 

CHAPTER X— PART 1. 

Pioneer Points, by Hon. Henry Felkner 579-586 

CHAPTER X— PART 2. 

Annals of Oxford 586-598 

CHAPTER X— PART 3. 

Chronicles of Clear Creek 598-629 

CHAPTER X— PART 4. 

Beginnings of "Big Bottom," by Nicholas Zeller.— Being the Early Settlement of what 
is now Madison and Per.u Townships 630-633 

CHAPTER XI— PART 1. 

History of Iowa City 633-645 

CHAPTER XL— PART 2. 

Iowa City's School History — Churches — Secret Orders--Local Societies — Bands — 
Clubs, etc 646-676 

CHAPTER XL— PART 3. 

The City's Civil Administration. Finances, Manufactories, Etc., 676-691 

Township Histories 693 

blogkaphical sketches 763 



INDEX TO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



Pige 

Abbott Cyrus, Sr 775 

Adair Samuel F 775 

Adams E. M 775 

Adams James M 776 

Adams John E 776 

Adams Moses 776 

Aichar Ciperian 776 

Albiu George 777 

Alder Ira J 777 

Alder Louis 958 

Alloway Samuel 777 

Alt Jacob H 777 

Alt Joseph A 778 

Anderson Robert 778 

Anderson Levi 778 

Anderson George 779 

Anderson John A 779 

Anderson George W 779 

Andrews George 780 

Andrews O 780 

Andrews William 780 

Andrle John W 780 

Babcock Orville G 781 

Baker Charles 781 

Baker George T 781 

Baker William H 782 

Baker Marion 782 

Ball George W 782 

Bane James W 782 

Barborka Joseph 783 

Bartlett Lyman 783 

Baumgardiier A. B 959 

Beecher James 783 

Beranek John K 784 

Berry James 784 

Beuter A. W 784 

Beem Isaac 784 

Birrer Martin 785 

Black T. H 785 

Blaine Wilson 785 

Bloom Leon 785 

Bloom Hon.M 786 

Bloom Benjamia 959 

Borland George T 787 

BoalGeoree J 787 

Boone Abner 787 

Borland John 787 

Bowersox James E 788 

Bowles John J 788 

Bowman Jacob 788 

Bowen /esse 959 

Bradley Charles H 789 

Bradley Stephen 789 

Brakel J. C 789 

Bridenstine James 789 

Brierton Michael 790 

Brown John M ....790 

Brown J. G 790 

Brown E. A 791 



Page 

Brunson Henderson 791 

Bushuagle Alexis 791 

Buck W.F 791 

BursressE. W 792 

Buresh Joseph 792 

Butler Martin Van Buren .792 
Byington Robert W 792 

Calagy OwenT 793 

Caivin Sam uel 767 

Cannon W. D 793 

Carrigan James 793 

Carl Fred T 793 

Cavanagh Mathew 794 

Cavanaugh James 960 

Cerny Joseph 794 

Cerny John J 794 

Chamberlain James 795 

Chamberlain Lewis E. . .795 

Cherry Thomas W 795 

Cherry Ames 795 

Christee John A 796 

Clarke Augustus L 796 

Clark John Norwood 796 

Clark Zachariah A 796 

Clapp Elmer F .767 

ClappL. W 797 

Clark John H 797 

Clench Charles E 797 

ClineM. C 798 

Clifford C. E T98 

Close M. T., Close C. D.. .798 

Cloud James R 799 

Cloud Samuel 799 

Clute Rev. Oscar 799 

Cochran Mathew 800 

Coldren John 800 

Combe Thomas 800 

Conklin W. F 800 

ConklinD. V 801 

Cook John 801 

Conover Chas. W 801 

CookM.W 801 

Corrigan Mark 802 

Cotter Wm. H 802 

CowgiU J 803 

Cowperthwaite Allen C. .768 

Cox Aaron 803 

Cox Thomas J 803 

CozineJ. R 803 

Crawford Andrew 803 

Cray Jerry 804 

Cray John H 804 

Crow Nathaniel 804 

Crozier David 805 

Cree Capt. Alfred B.. . .805 

Custer Alonzo B 805 

Custer Emily F 961 

Currier Amos. N 768 

Danzell John 806 



Page 

Davis John 806 

Davis Thomas D 806 

Davis L ...807 

Davis John 807 

Dennis Isaac V 807 

Denison J. B 808 

DeSellem Isaac N 808 

DeSellem George B 961 

DevoeS. J 808 

Devault Strawder 809 

Dickenson Joseph 809 

Dilatush John 809 

DilleL. B 810 

Dixon D. M 810 

Doiidore J 810 

Dodder George W 810 

Donohoe Michael 811 

Donohoe Patrick 811 

Donavan Patrick O 811 

Donavan Patrick 811 

Douglass J. M 811 

Douglass William A... 812 

Douglass James H 812 

Draubaugh David 812 

Duffy Michael 812 

Dunkel Frank 813 

Dunkel Kasper 813 

Dunkel William J 813 

DunlapR.L 813 

Dupont Edward 813 

Durst Jacob .814 

Earhart Henry 814 

Eddy W. M 814 

Edmonds Giles 615 

Edwards Joseph A 815 

Egerman John 815 

Eggert Charles A 769 

Eiuig Michael 815 

Emonds William .816 

Englert Louis 816 

Englert George 816 

Englert Henry J 817 

Englert John J 817 

Erd Jacob 11 817 

EstabrookC. T 817 

Fackler W. B 818 

Fairall Hon. Samuel H. 818 

Fairall Charles H 961 

Fairchild Isaac 818 

Felkner Hon. Henry. . .818 

Fellows Stephen N 769 

Fern Thomas 819 

Fernstrom Charles 819 

Fiala Joseph 81© 

Figg William L 962 

Finch Silas M 819 

Fisher W. R 820 

Fisher John 820 



14 



INDEX TO BIOGRAPHIES. 



Fisher Jacob H 820 

Fitzgerald Morris 820 

Fitzsimmons Michael. .821 

Fletcher Gilman F 821 

Floerchinger Jacob 821 

Floerchinger George. . .821 
Folsom Ron. Gilman.. .822 

Ford Michael 822 

Ford Thornton 822 

Foster W.E.C 822 

Fountain William L. . .823 

Fountain John 823 

Fountain Eli 823 

Tracker Edward G 823 

Fracker George 824 

Frazee Joseph 825 

Fulsom Rev. George P. 82.5 

Garvin T. M 825 

Gaunt William 825 

Geary James 826 

GeddisR. J 826 

George Jacob A 826 

George Martin 827 

Getsberg B 827 

Gillette OmerT 827 

Guilleton Jules E 827 

Glover T. (J 828 

Goetz Wendel 828 

Goodroll Maj. Wm. L....828 

Gower James H 8:i9 

Graber Jacob 829 

Graham Col. Harvey. . .829 

Graham J. K.... 830 

Graham Alexander H. .830 
Grebin Christopher . . .830 

Graham Benjamin 831 

Granara Tliomas 831 

Graham J. Ward '. .SSI 

Gressel Vincent 831 

Graf Conrad 832 

Green George W 832 

Griffith Humphry 832 

Goss Abraham 832 

Grimes Robert 833 

Gross Vincent 833 

Gross Gregory 833 

Gutlirie Prof. Alfred A, 834 

Haddock Hon. Wm. J. .8.34 
Hall Capt. George R — 835 

Hall Thomas R 835 

Ham Jonathan 835 

Ham Emerson M 836 

Hamilton Hezekiah 836 

Hamilton Mrs. Mary A. 836 

Hamilton Ezra 837 

Hanley Bartlett 837 

Hartsock George 837 

Hartman Rev. Ossian. .838 
Hardsock James Rush. 838 

Hartman Jonas 838 

Hawk Jonathan 839 

Held John 839 

Heinricks Henry M 839 

Hennessey Patrick 840 



Henry John 840 

4[emphill J.K 840 

Hertz Henry 840 

Hess John R 841 

Hess George P 841 

Hess Samuel S 811 

Hess Samuel J 841 

Hi.tt Harmon H 842 

Hiatt Amos 842 

HigbeeO 842 

Hill M. R 842 

Hindman Rev. John . .843 

Hinkley H. L 843 

Hiurichs Gustavus 770 

Hirt Joseph 843 

Hobby C. M 770 

Hohenschuh Wm. P 844 

Hogan Dennis 844 

Holmes Beaumont S...844 

Hoffer Jacob 845 

Hollings worth Mahlon.845 

Holmes John J 845 

Honberger W. F 845 

Horn Jacob 846 

Hanke Samuel G 846 

Horrell Joseph H 846 

Horak Frank J 847 

Hotz Simeon 847 

Hotz Jacob J ....'.. ..847 
Horner Benjamin M. . .848 

Houser J. F 848 

Hughes Hon. Thomas. .848 

Hunt Wm 849 

Hunter Adam .849 

Hudson Polly 850 

Hubner Charles 8.50 

Hutchenson Robert 850 

Hummei George 851 

Hucek Martin 851 

Irish Hon. John P 851 

Isense August 852 

Jacobs Peter 852 

Javne John W 852 

Jayne John E. . . . ; 8.53 

Johnson Sylvanus 853 

Johnson Rolla 8.53 

Johnson Lawrence 8.54 

Jones Charles 8.54 

Jayne William 854 

Karbulka Joseph 855 

Keim Jacob 855 

Kelley Michael 855 

Keeler Amos 855 

KenyonRev. Fergus L.8.5'3 

Kessler Frank S 856 

Kessler Fidel 856 

Kettlewell George W..856 

Kettles Peter 857 

Kirk wood Samuel J 763 

Kniese Adam 857 

Koenig Jacob 857 

Koler J. F 857 

Korab Paul A 858 



Koser Alexander 858 

Koza /oseph 962 

Kraus John 858 

Kramer Jacob 858 

LanningEdward 859 

Lane F.H ..859 

Lane H.C 859 

J.angdon D. M 859 

Lathrop H. W 860 

Laufer Herman 860 

Lee J. Walter 860 

Leonard A. W 860 

Leonard Nathan R 771 

Letovsky Victoria B..861 

Lewis Chas 861 

Letovsky John B 862 

Letovsky J. M. B 862 

Levy M.. 863 

Lenz August 863 

Lenz John 863 

Lidner Antone 863 

Lightner Joel 863 

Lininger Jacob 864 

Lininger Martin E 864 

Loan J. W 865 

Lodge Charles M 865 

Long Peter 865 

Lorenz Robert. 962 

Lord Samuel 865 

Lovelace Chauucey F. .865 

Love Alexander 866 

Lucas Chas. A 866 

Lucas Edward K 866 

Lucas Hon. E. W 866 

Luse Judge Z. C 867 

Luse M. R 867 

Luse Stephen 868 

Luther Christopher. . . .868 
Lutz J. H 868 

Mahana Capt. Bradley. 869 

Maher Mathe w 870 

Mahoney Dennis 870 

Madison Thomas H . . .870 

Magill Samuel W 870 

Magruder James 874 

Magruder George 875 

Malloy James 871 

Marvin William E 871 

Maston George L 871 

Mathewson George D...871 

McConnellL. A 872 

McCarthy Jeremiah . . . 872 

McClellan D. E 872 

McClaiuEmlin 771 

McCollister Hon. Chas. 962 

McCrory Hon. S. H 963 

McCullough H. B 873 

McCune Charles W... 873 

McCune JohnP 873 

McCreery Hugh. . 674 

McDonnell E 874 

McGoveni Hugh 829 

McTnnery Michael 874 

Medowell Arthur 875 



INDEX TO BIOGRAPHIES. 



15 



Medowell Henry 875 

Mellecker Francis X...876 
Medowell Margaret H.OdS 

Meyer Matthias 876 

Merline Antone 876 

Michael Joseph 877 

Miller Valentine 877 

Miller A. J 877 

Miller Aaron P 877 

Miller John B 878 

Miller Joseph P 878 

Moon, M D., Arnold C!878 
Moreland Alexander L. 879 

Moreland John L 879 

Morovork Anton 879 

Moessner Fred 880 

Morse Mrs. Mary A 880 

Mordoff A.D 880 

Horseman, M. D., M. J. 880 

Mullen William 881 

Mulock R. T 881 

Myers Valentine 881 

Myers Daniel 882 

Meyer Morant 882 

Myers Isaac 882 

Myers L. D 882 

Myers Eli 883 

Nolan Thomas 883 

Nolan James 883 

North Mrs. Adh 773 

Novak Frank 883 

Novak Frank 884 

Musser J. D 884 

Oaks John P — , ..884 

Oaks Charles C 885 

Oathout Alva 885 

Oathout Justus 885 

Oberman Rev. Karl F. .886 

O'Brien Joseph 886 

O'Hair M. A 887 

O'Hanlon James 887 

O'Hanlan William 887 

O'Rilly Frank H 964 

O'Riley Michael 964 

Oglevee M. C 887 

Oglevee John 887 

Orr William V 888 

Otto Max 888 

Packard Asby D 888 

Packard G. H 889 

Paine Eugene 889 

Paine Stephen E 890 

Palmer Charles H. Jr. ..890 

Palmer Philip 890 

Parker Leonard F 772 

Parsons John 890 

Parrott John 890 

Patterson Bruce 891 

Patterson Hon. L B. . .891 
Pattee Lieut-Col. John. 891 

Patton J. G 892 

Paul Hon. George 892 

Pauba Joseph W 893 



Parvin Theodore Sutton. .764 

Payn Evan 893 

PefferE. H 893 

Peters James 893 

Peters John 894 

Philbrick P. H 772 

Pitlik Joseph 894 

Pickering John A 894 

Pickard Josiah L 767 

Plymesser Samuel J... .894 

Plymesser Samuel 895 

Poggenpohl H. F 895 

Pohler Thomas 895 

Poole Wm. H 895 

Porter John W . . . 896 

Porch L. D 896 

Pratt D. A 897 

Pratt W. T 897 

Pratt Charles 897 

Price Jacob F 898 

Price A. O 898 

Pryce Richard W., K.D.898 

PryceCapt.S.D 898 

Pudil Frank J 899 

Price Benjamin 899 

Quinn Rev. James 899 

Kabenau F. \V 900 

Hank Cyrus S 900 

I^ayner Joseph 900 

Redhead Wesley 901 

Redtield J. A., J r 903 

Rees Jacob 903 

Kegan Patrick 904 

Reno Charles M 904 

Remley Milton 905 

Rentz George 905 

Rettemeyer Frances. .905 
Rettemeyer Frank J. . .906 

Reynolds John 906 

Ricord Edward R 906 

Ricord Jacob 906 

Ricord Elisha H 907 

Richev N. B 908 

Rink Charles A 908 

Rinehart Alex 908 

Ritter Benjamin 908 

Robinson Levi 909 

Robinson James 909 

Robinson Hiram A 909 

Robinson James T 910 

Robinson /ames 965 

Robotham Charles 910 

Rohret Mrs. Catharine. 965 

Rossler Gottleib F 910 

Ross Lewis W 773 

RoweH.D 911 

Rowley A 911 

Rubelman Andrew — 911 

Runyon S. R 911 

Runyon Asa 911 

Ruth Alex 912 

Sangester E 912 

Sargent Cyrus 912 



Saxton Walter.. 913 

Scaulon James 913 

Scanlon James W 913 

Scales Nathaniel 913 

Schaedler John B 914 

Schell William J 914 

Schaich George 914 

Schenkemyer Henry... 915 

Sc-hlenk George 915 

Schonborn Joseph 915 

Scofield Mrs. Phebe 773 

Seeley H. H 915 

Seevogel Henry C 915 

SehornMrs.Elizabeth G.916 

Serovy A gin 

Seydel Milton 916 

Seydell Jacob N 916 

Shaver George 917 

Shaver Capt. P. E 917 

Shepardson J. J 918 

Sheppard Wm. C 918 

Shields Andrew 918 

Shinn Henry E 919 

Shircliff C. H 919 

Shirk Daniel 919 

Shuey Jacob 919 

Shrad'er John C 773 

Sies Frank 930 

Simek Francis Joseph.. 920 

Simek Bohumil 921 

Slater Owen 921 

Slater John AV 922 

Slemmons Matthew G...922 

Slezak Joseph 922 

Smith Mrs. Sarah A 952 

Smith Dexter P 923 

Smith Frank H 923 

Smitn Mrs. Sasan F 923 

Smith Harry C 924 

Smith George E 924 

Smith Miss Susan F 774 

Smith William F 924 

Smith Z 925 

Smith Robert A 925 

Smyth Father Patrick. 926 

Snavely Michael T 926 

Snider Corbly 926 

Snyder J. K. 926 

Sorter Alexander 92T 

Spencer J. O 927 

Spinden Samuel 927 

Staley A. W 928 

Startzer Rudolph 928 

Stalev Charles W 928 

Startsman Oliver 928 

Stach Joseph J 929 

Steel John W 929 

Steele Joseph 929 

Stonebarger Jacob 929 

Stover Jerry 930 

StrubGustave 931 

Strang James B 981 

Straw-bridge Jesse K. . .931 

Strohm Henrv. 932 

Struble JohnT 932 

Stewart Dr. David 932 



16 



INDEX TO BIOGRAPHIES. 



Stuart Maria E 933 

Sutliff H. S 933 

Sulek Frank 933 

Swafford Mrs. Sarah B. 934 

Sweet Caleb J 934 

Sweet William T 934 

Swisher Benjamin 935 

Switzer Joshua P 935 

Swofford A. C 935 

Swofford C. G 936 

Templin James D 936 

Tanner Frank 936 

Tantlinger Perry 937 

Taylor William H 937 

Teneick Matthew 937 

Teneick William P 93T 

Terrell Walter 938 

Tharpe Lee 938 

Thompson John H 988 

Thompson Rev. H. M. .939 

Thorn Graham 939 

Tice Capt. J. A. L 939 

Townly David 939 

Trimble Peter P 940 

Trumbo George 940 

Trobridge Col. S. C 940 

Tulloss N. H., M. D....941 

Tullos Frank 941 

Tulloss Ira E 941 

Tudor Edward 941 

Ulum J. C 942 

Ulch George 942 



UnrathAdam 942 

Yanfleet John E 952 

Vonstein Peter 943 

Wagner John 943 

Wagner George W 943 

Wagner John P 944 

Waldron JohuL 944 

Walker Henry 944 

Walker Robert 965 

Walker James 945 

Ward J. R 945 

Walker A. P 945 

Walker Joseph 946 

Watson B.P 946 

Watson Lewis H 947 

Weber Peter J 947 

Weeber Isaac S 947 

Weiser John C 947 

Welch Willard J 948 

Wescott Jr., Albert. . . .948 

Wescott Moses A 948 

Wetoshak Charles 948 

Whedon W. D 948 

Whetstone John H 949 

Whedon W. D 949 

Whetstone John H 949 

White Harry A 949 

Whitset John 949 

Wical George 950 

Wieneke Henry J 950 

Williams Benjamin 950 

Williams Enoch 950 



White Harry A 949 

Whitacre Aquilla 965 

Whitsel John 949 

Wical George 950 

Wieneke Henry J 950 

Williams Benjamin 950 

Williams Enoch 950 

Williams Robert 951 

Willis Jacob R 951 

Wilson William F 951 

Wilson J. W 952 

Wilson Thomas W 952 

Wise J. R 952 

Wlack Joseph 952 

Wood David W 953 

Worden Edward 956 

Workman Hon. Samuel.960 

Wolfe William 954 

Wolfe Hon. Lewis R. . .954 

Wray Carson B 954 

Wray Dayid 955 

Xanten John A 955 

Yager Jacob 956 

Yenter Jacob 956 

Zal|£)krtsky Joseph 956 

Zeller Jacob 956 

Zeller Jr., N 957 

Zeller Michael 957 

Zeigler David B 957 

Zeller Sr., Nicholas 957 

Zimmerman William.. 957 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 



DISCOVERY AND OCCUPATION. 

W, in the symbolical and expressive language of the aboriginal inhab- 
itants ,s said t^o signify "The Beautiful Land,'' and was applied to tliL 
magnificent and fruitful region by its ancient owne;s, to express tSi ipprec^ 
tion of Its superiority of climate, soil and location. Prior to 1803, the Mississippi 
Kiver was the extreme western boundary of the United States. All the great 
empire lying west of the " Father of Waters," from the Gulf of Mexico on the 
south to British America on the north, and westward to the Pacific Ocean was 
a Spanish pix,vince. A brief historical sketch of the discovery and occupation 
of this grand empire by the Spanish and French governments will be a fittin.. 
ntioduction to the history of the young and thriving State of Iowa, which! 
until the commencement of the present century, was a part of the Spanish 
possessions in America. ^ ^p^nii^u 

Wn^f^ '^ the Spring of 1542, fifty years after Columbus discovered the New 
World and one hundred and thirty years before the French missionaries discov- 
ered Its upper waters, Ferdinand De Soto discovered the mouth of the Mississippi 
River at the mouth of the Washita. After thfe sudden death of De Soto,^^n 
May of the same year, his followers built a small vessel, and in July, 1543 
descended the great river to the Gulf of Mexico. ^ ' 

In accordance with the usage of nations, under which title to the soil was 
claimed by right of discovery, Spain, having conquered Florida and discovered 
the Mississippi, claimed all the territory bordering on that river and the Gulf of 
Mexico. -But It was also held by the European nations that, while discovery 
gave title, that tit e must be perfected by actual possession and occupation^ 
iUthough Spam claimed the territory by right of first discovery, she made no 
ettoi t to occupy it ; by no permanent settlement had she perfected and held her 
fatle and therefore had forfeited it when, at a later period, the Lower Mississippi 
Valley was re-discovered and occupied by France. ^ 

The unparalleled labors of the zealous French Jesuits of Canada in penetrating 
the unknown region of the West, commencing in 1611, form a history of no ordi- 
nary interest, but have no particular connection with the scope of the present 
work, until in the Fall of 1665. Pierre Claude Allouez, who had entered Lake 
t»uperior in September, and sailed along the southern coast in search of copper 
had arrived at the great village of the Chippewas at Chegoincegon. Here a 
grand council of some ten or twelve of the principal Indiafi natiSns was held, 
llie Pottawatomies of Lake Michigan, the Sacs and Foxes of the West, the 
Hurons from the North, the Illinois from the South, and the Sioux from the 
land ot the prairie and wild rice, were all assembled there. The Illinois told 



18 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

the story of their ancient glory and about the noble river on the banks of which 
they dwelt. The Sioux also told their white brother of the same great ris^er, 
and Allouez promised to the assembled tribes the protection of the French 
nation against all their enemies, native or foreign. 

The purpose of discovering the great river about Avhich the Indian na- 
tions had given such glowing accounts appears to have originated with Mar- 
quette, in 1669. In the year previous, he and Claude Dablon had established 
the Mission of St. Mary's, the oldest white settlement within the present limits 
of the State of Michigan. Marquette was delayed in the execution of his great 
undertaking, and spent the interval in studying the language and habits of the 
Illinois Indians, among whom he expected to travel. 

About this time, the French Government had determined to extend the do- 
minion of France to the extreme western borders of Canada. Nicholas Perrot 
was sent as the agent of the government, to propose a grand council of the 
Indian nations, at St. Mary's. 

When Perrot reached Green Bay, he extended the invitation far and near ; 
and, escorted by Pottawatomies, repaired on a mission of peace and friend- 
ship to the Miamis, who occupied the region about the present location of 
Chicago. 

In May, 1671, a great council of Indians gathered at the Falls of St. 
Mary, from all parts of the Northwest, from the head waters of the St. Law- 
rence, from the valley of the Mississippi and from the Red River of the North. 
Perrot met with them, and after grave consultation, formally announced to the 
assembled nations that their good French Father felt an abiding interest in their 
w-elfare, and had placed them all under the powerful protection of the French 
Government. 

Marquette, during that same year, had gathered at Point St. Ignace the 
remn ants of one branch of the Hurons. This station, for a long series of 
years, was considered the key to the unknown West. 

The time was now auspicious for the consummation of Marquette's grand 
project. The successful termination of Perrot's mission, and the general friend- 
liness of the native tribes, rendered the contemplated expedition much less per- 
ilous. But it was not until 1673 that the intrepid and enthusiastic priest was 
finally ready to depart on his daring and perilous journey to lands never trod by 
white men. 

The Indians, who had gathered in large numbers to witness his departure, 
were astounded at the boldness of the proposed undertaking, and tried to dis- 
courage him, representing that the Indians of the Mississippi Valley were cruel 
and bloodthirsty, and would resent the intrusion of strangers upon their domain. 
The great river itself, they said, was the abode of terrible monsters, who could 
swallow both canoes and men. 

But Marquette was not to be diverted from his purpose by these fearful re- 
ports He assured his dusky friends that he was ready to make any sacrifice, 
even to lay down his life for the sacred cause in which he was engaged. He 
prayed with them ; and having implored the blessing of God upon his undertak- 
ing, on the 13th day of May, 1673, with Joliet and five Canadian-French voy- 
ageurs, or boatmen, he left the mission on his daring journey. Ascending 
Green Bay and Fox River, these bold and enthusiastic pioneers of religion and 
discovery proceeded until they reached a Miami and Kickapoo villag?, where 
tor n "' ^""'fy}'^ \'. fi^d, '.' - beautiful cross planted in the middle of the 
thl; ^^^^;™«^*;^\^f Jl^ite skins, red girdles and bows and arrows, which 
these good people had ofi"ered to the Great Manitou, or God, to thank Him for 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 19 

the pity He had bestowed on them during the Winter, in having given them 
abundant chase." 

This was the extreme point beyond which the explorations of tlie French 
missionaries had not then extended. Here Marquette was instructed by his 
Indian hosts in the secret of a root that cures the bite of the venomous rattle- 
snake, drank mineral water with them and was entertained with generous hos- 
pitality. He called together the principal men of the village, and informed 
them that his companion, Joliet, had been sent by the French Governor of Can- 
ada to discover new countries, to be added to the dominion of France ; but that 
he, himself, had been sent by the Most High God, to carry the glorious religion 
of the Cross ; and assured his wondering hearers that on this mission heliad 
no fear of death, to which he knew he would be exposed on his perilous journeys. 
Obtaining the services of two Miami guides, to conduct his little band to the 
Wisconsin River, he left the hospitable Indians on the 10th of June. Conduct- 
ing them across the portage, their Indian guides returned to their village, and 
the little party descended the Wisconsin, to tiie great river which had so long 
been so anxiously looked for, and boldly floated down its unknown waters. 

On the 25th of June, the explorers discovered indications of Indians on the 
west bank of the river and land -d a little above the mouth of the river now 
known as Des Moines, and for the first time Europeans trod the soil of Iowa. 
Leaving the Canadians to guard the canoes, Marquette and Joliet l)ol(lly fol- 
lowed the trail into the interior for fourteen miles (some authorities say six), to 
an Indian village situate on the banks of a river, and discovered two other vil- 
lages, on the rising ground about half a league distant. Their visit, while it 
created much astonishment, did not seem to be entirely unexpected, for there 
was a tradition or prophecy among the Indians that white visitors were to come 
to them. They were, therefore, received with great respect and hospitality, and 
were cordially tendered the calumet or pipe of peace. They were informed that 
this band was a part of the Illini nation and that their village was called Mon- 
in-gou-ma or Moingona, which was the name of the river on which it stood. 
This, from its similarity of -sound, Marquette corrupted into Des Moines 
(Monk's River), its present name. 

Here the voyagers remained six days, learning much of the manners and 
customs of their new friends. The new religion they boldly preached and the 
authority of the King of France they proclaimed were received without hos- 
tility or remonstrance by their savage entertainers. On their departure, they 
were accompanied to their canoes by the chiefs and hundreds of warriors. 
Marquette received from them the sacred calumet, the emblem of peace and 
safeguard among the nations, and re-embarked for the rest of his journey. 

It is needless to follow him further, as his explorations beyond his discovery 
of Iowa more properly belong to the history of another State. 

In 1682, La Salle descended the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico, and in 
the name of the King of France, took formal possession of all the immense 
region watered by the great river and its tributaries from its source to its mouth, 
and named it Louisiana, in honor of his master, Louis XIV. The river he 
called " Colbert," after the French Minister, and at its mouth erected a column 
and a cross bearing the inscription, in the French language, 

"Louis the Great, King of Fraxce and Navarre, 
Reigning April 9th, 1682." 
At the close of the seventeenth century, France claimed, by right of dis- 
covery and occupancy, the whole valley of the Mississippi and its tributaries, 
including Texas, as far as the Rio del Norte. 



20 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

The province of Louisiana stretched from the Gulf of Mexico to the sources 
of the Tennessee, the Kanawha, the Allegheny and the Monongahela on the 
east, and the Missouri and the other great tributaries of the Father of Waters 
on the west. Says Bancroft, " France had obtained, under Providence, the 
guardianship of this immense district of country, not, as it proved, for her own 
benefit, but rather as a trustee for the infant nation by which it was one day to 
be inherited." 

By the treaty of Utrecht, France ceded to England her possessions 
in Hudson's Bay, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. France still retained 
Louisiana ; but the province had so far failed to meet the expectations of the 
crown and the peoi)le that a change in the government and policy of the country 
was deemed indispensable. Accordingly, in 1711, the province was placed in 
the hands of a Governor General, with headquarters at Mobile. This govern- 
ment was of brief duration, and in 1712 a charter was granted to Anthony 
Crozat, a wealthy merchant of Paris, giving him the entire control and mo- 
nopoly of all the trade and resources of Louisiana. But this scheme also failed. 
Crozat met with no success in his commercial operations ; every Spanish harbor 
on the Gulf was closed against his vessels ; the occupation of Louisiana w^as 
deemed an encroachment on Spanish territory ; Spain was jealous of the am- 
bition of France. 

Failing in his efforts to open the ports of the district, Crozat "sought to 
develop the internal resources of Louisiana, by causing trading posts to be 
opened, and explorations to be made to its remotest borders. But he 
actually accomplished nothing for the advancement of the colony. The only- 
prosperity which it ever possessed grew out of the enterprise of humble indi- 
viduals, who had succeeded in instituting a little barter between themselves 
and the natives, and a petty trade with neighboring European settlements. 
After a persevering effort of nearly five years, he surrendered his charter in 
August, 1717." 

Immediately following the surrender of his charter by Crozat, another and 
more magnificent scheme was inaugurated. The national government of France 
was deeply involved in debt; the colonies were nearly bankrupt, and John Law 
appeared on the scene with his famous Mississippi Company, as the Louisiana 
branch of the Bank of France. The charter granted to this company gave it a 
legal existence of twenty -five years, and conferred upon it more extensive powers 
and privileges than had been granted to Crozat. It invested the new company 
with the exclusive privilege of the entire commerce of Louisiana, and of New 
France, a ad with authority to enforce their rights. The Company was author- 
ized to monopolize all the trade in the country ; to make treaties wdth the 
Indians ; to declare and prosecute war ; to grant lands, erect forts, open mines 
of precious metals, levy taxes, nominate civil officers, commission those of the 
army, and to appoint and remove judges, to cast cannon, and build and equip 
ships of war. All this was to be done with the paper currency of John Law's 
Bank of France. He had succeeded in getting His Majesty the French King 
to adopt and sanction his scheme of financial operations both in France and in 
the colonies, and probably there never was such a huge financial bubble ever 
blown by a visionary theorist. Still, such was the condition of France that xC 
was accepted as a national deliverance, and Law became the most powerful man 
in France. He became a Catholic, and was appointed Comptroller General of 
Finance. 

Among the first operations of the Company was to send eight hundred 
emigrants to Louisiana, who arrived at Dauphine Island in 1718. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 21 

In 1719, Philipe Francis Renault arrived in Illinois with two hundred 
miners and artisans. The war between France and Spain at this time rendered 
it extremely probable that the Mississippi Valley might become the theater of 
Spanish hostilities against the French settlements ; to prevent this, as well as to 
extend French claims, a chain of forts was begun, to keep open the connection 
between the mouth and the sources of the Mississippi. Fort Orleans, high up 
the Mississippi River, was erected as an outpost in 1720. 

The Mississippi scheme was at the zenith of its power and glory in January, 
1720, but the gigantic bubble collapsed more suddenly than it had been inflated, 
and the Company was declared hopelessly bankrupt in May following. France 
was impoverished by it, both private and public credit were overthrown, capi- 
talists suddenly found themselves paupers, and labor was left without employ- 
ment. The effect on the colony of Louisiana was- disastrous. 

While this was going on in Lower Louisiana, the region about the lakes was 
the theater of Indian hostilities, rendering the passage from Canada to Louisiana 
extremely dangerous for many years. The English had not only extended their 
Indian trade into the vicinity of the French settlements, but through their 
friends, the Iroquois, had gained a marked ascendancy over the Foxes, a fierce 
and powerful tribe, of Iroquois descent, whom they incited to hostilities against 
the French. The Foxes began their hostilities with the siege of Detroit in 
1712, a siege which they continued for nineteen consecutive days, and although 
the expedition resulted in diminishing their numbers and humbling their pride, 
yet it was not until after several successive campaigns, embodying the best 
military resources of New France, had been directed against them, that were 
finally defeated at the great battles of Butte des Morts, and on the Wisconsin 
River, and driven west in 1746. 

The Company, having found that the cost of defending Louisiana exceeded 
the returns from its commerce, solicited leave to surrender the Mississippi 
wilderness to the home government. Accordingly, on the 10th of April, 1732, 
the jurisdiction and control over the commerce reverted to the crown of France. 
The Company had held possession of Louisiana fourteen years. In 1735, Bien- 
ville returned to assume command for the King. 

A glance at a few of the old French settlements will show the progress made 
in portions of Louisiana during the early part of the eighteenth century. As 
early as 1705, traders and hunters had penetrated the fertile regions of the 
Wabash, and from this region, at that early date, fifteen thousand hides and 
skins had been collected and sent to Mobile for the European market. 

In the year 1716, the French population on the Wabash kept up a lucrative 
commerce with Mobile by means of traders and voyageurs. The Ohio River 
was comparatively unknown. 

In 1746, agriculture on the Wabash had attained to greater prosperity than 
in any of the French settlements besides, and in that year six hundred barrels 
of flour were manufactured and shipped to New Orleans, together with consider- 
able quantities of hides, peltry, tallow and beeswax. 

In the Illinois country, also, considerable settlements had been made, so that, 
in 1730, they embraced one hundred and forty French families, about six 
hundred "converted Indians," and many traders and voyageurs. 

In 1753, the first actual conflict arose between Louisiana and the Atlantic 
colonies. From the earliest advent of the Jesuit fathers, up to the period of 
which we speak, the great ambition of the French had been, not alone to preserve 
their possessions in the West, but by every possible means to prevent the 
slightest attempt of the English, east of the mountains, to extend their settle 



22 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

ments toward the Mississippi. France was resolved on retaining possession of 
the great territory which her missionaries had discovered and revealed to the 
world. French commandants had avowed their purpose of seizing every 
Englishman within the Ohio Valley. 

The colonies of Pennsylvania, New York and Virginia were most aifected by 
the encroachments of France in the extension of her dominion, and particularly 
in the great scheme of uniting Canada with Louisiana. To carry out this 
purpose, the French had taken possession of a tract of country claimed by Vir- 
ginia, and had commenced a line of forts extending from the lakes to the OhiO' 
River. Virginia was not only alive to her own interests, but attentive to the 
vast importance of an immediate and effectual resistance on the part of all 
the English colonies to the actual and contemplated encroachments of the 
French. 

In 1753, Governor Dinwiddle, of Virginia, sent George Washington, then a 
young man just twenty-one, to demand of the French commandant " a reason 
for invading British dominions while a solid peace subsisted." Washington met 
the French commandant, Gardeur de St. Pierre, on the head waiters of the 
Alleghany, and having communicated to him the object of his journey, received 
the insolent answer that the French would not discuss the matter of right, but 
would make prisoners of every Englishman found trading on the Ohio and its 
waters. The country, he said, belonged to the French, by virtue of the dis- 
coveries of La Salle, and they would not withdraw from it. 

In January, 1754, Washington returned to Virginia, and made his report to 
the Governor and Council. Forces were at once raised, and Washington, as 
Lieutenant Colonel, was dispatched at the head of a hundred and fifty men, to- 
the forks of the Ohio, with orders to "finish the fort already begun there by the 
Ohio Company, and to make prisoners, kill or destroy all who interrupted the 
English settlements." 

On his march through the forests of Western Pennsylvania, Washington, 
throucrh the aid of friendly Indians, discovered the French concealed among the 
rocks, and as they ran to seize their arms, ordered his men to fire upon them, at 
the same time, with his own musket, setting the example. An action lasting 
about a quarter of an hour ensued ; ten of the Frenchmen were killed, among 
them Jumonville, the commander of the party, and twenty-one were made pris- 
oners. The dead were scalped by the Indians, and the chief, bearing a toma- 
haAvk and a scalp, visited all the tribes of the Miamis, urging them to join the 
Six Nations and the English against the French. The French, however, were 
soon re-enforced, and Col. Washington was compelled to return to Fort 
Necessity. Here, on the 3d day of July, De Villiers invested the fort with 
600 French troops and 100 Indians. On the 4th, Washington accepted 
terms of capitulation, and the English garrison withdrew from the valley of 
the Ohio. 

This attack of Washington upon Jumonville aroused the indignation of 
France, and war was formally declared in May, 1756, and the " French and 
Indian War" devastated the colonies for several years. Montreal, Detroit 
and all Canada were surrendered to the English, and on the 10th of February, 
1763, by the treaty of Paris — which had been signed, though not formally ratified 
by the respective governments, on the 3<lof November, 1762 — France relinquished 
to (ireat Britian all that portion of the province of Louisiana lying on the east 
side of the Mississippi, except the island and town of New Orleans. ' On the 
same day that the treaty of Paris was signed, France, by a secret treaty, ceded 
to Spain all her possessions on the west side of the Mississippi, including the 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF lOAVA. 23 

whole country to the head waters of the Great River, and west to the Rocky 
Mountains, and the jurisdiction of France in America, which had lasted nearly 
a century, Avas ended. 

At the close of the Revolutionary war, by the treaty of peace between Great 
Britain and the United States, the English Government ceded to the latter 
all the territory on the east side of the Mississippi River and north of the thirty- 
first parallel of north latitude. At the same time, Great Britain ceded to 
Spain all the Floridas, comprising all the territory east of the Mississippi and 
south of the southern limits of the United States. 

At this time, therefore, the present State of Iowa was a part of the Spanish 
possessions in North America, as all the territory west of the Mississippi River 
was under the dominion of Spain. That government also possessed all the 
territory of the Floridas east of the great river and south of the thirty-first 
parallel of north latitude. The Mississippi, therefore, so essential to the pros- 
perity of the western portion of the United States, for the last three hundred 
miles of its course flowed Avholly within the Spanish dominions, and that govern- 
ment claimed the exclusive right to use and control it below the southern boun- 
dary of the United States. 

The free navigation of the Mississippi was a very important question during 
all the time that Louisiana remained a dependency of the Spanish Crown, and 
as the final settlement intimately aifected the status of the then future State 
of Iowa, it will be interesting to trace its progress. 

The people of the United States occupied and exercised jurisdiction over 
the entire eastern valley of the Mississippi, embracing all the country drained 
by its eastern tributaries ; they had a natural right, according to the accepted in- 
ternational law, to follow these rivers to the sea, and to the use of the Missis- 
sippi River accordingly, as the great natural channel of commerce. The river 
was not only necessary but absolutely indispensable to the prosperity and growth 
of the western settlements then rapidly rising into commercial and political 
importance. They were situated in the heart of the great valley, and with 
wonderfully expansive energies and accumulating resources, it was very evident 
that no power on earth could deprive them of the free use of the river below 
them, only while their numbers were insufficient to enable them to maintain 
their right by force. Inevitably, therefore, immediately after the ratification of 
the treaty of 1783, the Western people began to demand the free navigation 
of the Mississippi — not as a favor, but as a right. In 1786, both banks of 
the river, below the mouth of the Ohio, were occupied by Spain, and military 
posts on the east bank enforced her power to exact heavy duties on all im- 
ports by way of the river for the Ohio region. Every boat descending the 
river was forced to land and submit to the arbitrary revenue exactions of the 
Spanish authorities. Under the administration of Governor Miro, these rigor- 
ous exactions were somewhat relaxed from 1787 to 1790 ; but Spain held it as 
her right to make them. Taking advantage of the claim of the American people, 
that the Mississippi should be opened to them, in 1791, the Spanish Govern- 
ment concocted a scheme for the dismembership of the Union. The plan was 
to induce the Western people to separate from the Eastern States by liberal land 
grants and extraordinary commercial privileges. 

Spanish emissaries, among the people of Ohio and Kentucky, informed them 
that the Spanish Government would grant them favorable commercial privileges, 
provided they would secede from the Federal Government east of the mountains. 
The Spanish Minister to the United States plainly declared to his confidential 
correspondent that, unless the Western people would declare their independence 



24 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

and refuse to remain in the Union, Spain was determined never to grant the 
free navigation of the Mississippi. 

By the treaty of Madrid, October 20, 1795, however, Spain formally stip- 
ulated that the Mississippi River, from its source to the Gulf, for its entire width, 
should be free to American trade and commerce, and that the people of the 
United States should be permitted, for thi-ee years, to use the port of New 
Orleans as a port of deposit for their merchandise and produce, duty free. 

In November, 1801, the United States Government received, through Rufus 
King, its Minister at the Court of St. James, a copy of the treaty between Spain 
and France, signed at Madrid March 21, 1801, by which the cession of Loui- 
siana to France, made the previous Autumn, was confirmed. 

The change offered a favorable opportunity to secure the just rights of the 
United States, in relation to the free navigation of the Mississippi, and ended 
the attempt to dismember the Union by an effort to secure an independent 
government west of the Alleghany Mountains. On the 7th of January, 1803, 
the American House of Representatives adopted a resolution declaring their 
" unalterable determination to maintain the boundaries and tlie rights of navi- 
gation and commerce through the River Mississippi, as established by existing 
treaties." 

In the same month. President Jefferson nominated and the Senate confirmed 
Robert R. Livingston and James Monroe as Envoys Plenipotentiary to the 
Court of France, and Charles Pinckney and James Monroe to the Court of 
Spain, with plenary powers to negotiate treaties to effect the object enunciated 
by the popular branch of the National Legislature. These envoys were in- 
structed to secure, if possible, the cession of Florida and New Orleans, but it 
does not appear that Mr. Jefferson and his Cabinet had any idea of purchasing 
that part of Louisiana lying on the zvest side of the Mississippi. In fact, on 
the 2d of March following, the instructions were sent to our Ministers, contain- 
ing a plan which expressly left to France " all her territory on the west side of 
the Mississippi." Had these instructions been followed, it might have been that 
there would not have been any State of Iowa or any other member of the glori- 
ous Union of States west of the " Father of AVaters." 

In obedience to his instructions, however, Mr. Livingston broached this 
plan to M. Talleyrand, Napoleon's Prime Minister, when that courtly diplo- 
matist quietly suggested to the American Minister that France might be willing 
to cede the ivlioU French domain in North America to the United States, and 
asked how much the Federal Government would be willing to give for it. Liv- 
ingston intimated that twenty millions of francs might be a fair price. Talley- 
rand thought that not enough, but asked the Americans to "think of it." A 
few days later, Napoleon, in an interview with Mr. Livingston, in effect informed 
the American Envoy that he had secured Louisiana in a contract with Spain 
for the purpose of turning it over to the United States for a mere nominal sum. 
He had been compelled to provide for the safety of that province by the treaty, 
and he was " anxious to give the United States a magnificent bargain for a 
mere trifle." The price proposed Avas one hundred and twenty-five million 
francs. This was subsequently modified to fifteen million dollars, and on this 
basis a treaty was negotiated, and was signed on the 30th day of April, 1803. 

This treaty was ratified by the Federal Government, and by act of Congress, 
approved October 31, 1803, the President of the United States was authorized 
to take possession of the territory and provide for it a temporary government. 
Accordingly, on the 20th day of December following, on behalf of the Presi- 
dentj Gov. Clairborne and Gen. Wilkinson took possession of the Louisiana 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 



25 



purchase, and raised the American flag over the newly acquired domain, at New 
Orleans. Spain, although it had by treaty ceded the province to France in 
1801, still held quasi possession, and at first objected to the transfer, but with- 
drew her opposition early in 1804, 

By this treaty, thus successfully consummated, and the peaceable withdrawal 
of Spain, the then infant nation of the New World extended its dominion west 
of the Mississippi to the Pacific Ocean, and north from the Gulf of Mexico to 
British America. 

If the original design of Jefi'erson's administration had been accomplished, 
the United States would have acquired only that portion of the French territory 
lying east of the IMississippi River, and while the American people would thus 
have acquired the free navigation of that great river, all of the vast and fertile 
empire on the west, so rich in its agricultural and inexhaustible mineral 
resources, would have remained under the dominion of a foreign power. To 
Napoleon's desire to sell the whole of his North American possessions, and Liv- 
ingston's act transcending his instructions, which was acquiesced in after it was 
done, does Iowa ow^e her position as a part of the United States by the 
Louisiana purchase. 

By authority of an act of Congress, approved March 26, 1804, the newly 
acquired territory was, on the 1st day of October following, divided : that part 
lying south of the 33d parallel of north latitude was called the Territory of 
Orleans, and all north of that parallel the District of Louisiana, which was placed 
under the authority of the officers of Indiana Territory, until July 4, 1805, when 
it was organized, with territorial government of its own, and so remained until 
1812, when the Territory of Orleans became the State of Louisiana, and the 
name of the Territory of Louisiana was changed to Missouri. On the 4tli of 
July, 1814, that part of Missouri Territory comprising the present State of 
Arkansas, and the country to the westward, was organized into the Arkansas 
Territory. 

On the 2d of March, 1821, the State of Missouri, being a part of the Terri- 
tory of that name, was admitted to the Union. June 28, 1834, the territory 
west of the Mississippi iliver and north of Missouri was made a part of the 
Territory of Michigan ; but two years later, on the 4th of July, 1836, Wiscon- 
sin Territory was erected, embracing within its limits the present States of 
Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota. 

By act of Congress, approved June 12, 1838, the 



TERRITORY OF lOW^A 



was erected, comprising, in addition to the present State, much the larger part 
of Minnesota, and extending north to the boundary of the British Possessions. 

THE ORIGINAL OWNERS. 

Having traced the early history of the great empire lymg west of the Mis- 
sissippi, of which the State of Iowa constitutes a part, from the earliest dis- 
covery to the organization of the Territory of Iowa, it becomes necessary to 
give some history of 

THE INDIANS OF IOWA. 

According to the policy of the European nations, possession perfected title 
to any territory. We have seen that the country west of the Mississippi was first 
discovered by the Spaniards, but afterward, was visited and occupied by the 
French. It was ceded by France to Spain, and by Spain back to France again, 



26 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

and then was purchased and occupied by the United States. During all that 
time, it does not appear to have entered into the heads or hearts of the high 
contracting parties that the country they bought, sold and gave away was in 
the possession of a race of men who, although savage, owned the vast domain 
before Columbus first crossed the Atlantic. Having purchased the territory, 
the United States found it still in the possession of its original owners, who had 
never been dispossessed ; and it became necessary to purchase again what had 
already been bought before, or forcibly eject the occupants; therefore, the his- 
tory of the Indian nations who occupied Iowa prior to and during its early set- 
tlement by the Avhites, becomes an important chapter in the history of the State, 
that cannot be omitted. 

For more than one hundred years after Marquette and Joliet trod the virgin 
soil of Iowa, not a single settlement had been made or attempted ; not even a 
trading post had been established. The whole country remained in the undis- 
puted possession of the native tribes, who roamed at will over her beautiful and 
fertile prairies, hunted in her woods, fished in her streams, and often poured out 
their life-blood in obstinately contested contests for supremacy. That this State 
so aptly styled "The Beautiful Land," had been the theater of numerous, 
fierce and bloody struggles between rival nations, for possession of the favored 
region, long before its settlement by civilized man, there is .no room for doubt. 
In these savage wars, the weaker party, whether aggressive or defensive, was 
either exterminated or driven from their ancient hunting grounds. 

In 1673, when Marquette discovered Iowa, the Illini were a very powerful 
people, occupying a large portion of the State ; but when the country was again 
visited by the whites, not a remnant of that once powerful tribe remained on 
the west side of the Mississippi, and Iowa was principally in the possession of 
the Sacs and Foxes, a warlike tribe which, originally two distinct nations, 
residing in New York and on the waters of the St. Lawrence, had gradually 
fought their Avay westward, and united, probably, after the Foxes had been driven 
out of the Fox River country, in 1846, and crossed the Mississippi. The death 
of Pontiac, a famous Sac chieftain, was made the pretext for war against the 
Illini, and a fierce and bloody struggle ensued, which continued until the Illinois 
were nearly destroyed and. their hunting grounds possessed by their victorious 
foes. The lowas also occupied a portion of the State for a time, in common 
with the Sacs, but they, too, were nearly destroyed by the Sacs and Foxes, and, 
in "The Beautiful Land," these natives met their equally warlike foes, the 
Northern Sioux, with whom they maintained a constant warfare for the posses- 
sion of the country for many years. 

When the United States came in possession of the great valley of the Mis- 
sissippi, by the Louisiana purchase, the Sacs and Foxes and lowas possessed 
the entire territory now comprising the State of Iowa. The Sacs and Foxes, 
also, occupied the most of the State of Illinois. 

The Sacs had four principal villages, where most of them resided, viz. : 
Their largest and most important town — if an Indian village may be called 
such — and from which emanated most of the obstacles and difficulties encoun- 
tered by the Government in the extinguishment of Indian titles to land in this 
region, was on Rock River, near Rock Island ; another was on the east bank of 
the Mississippi, near the mouth of Henderson River ; the third was at the 
head of tlie Des Moines Rapids, near the present site of Montrose, and the fourth 
was near the mouth of the Upper Iowa. 

The Foxes had three principal villages, viz. : One on the west side of the 
Mississippi, six miles above the rapids of Rock River; another about twelve 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 27 

miles from tlie river, in the rear of the Dubuque lead mines, and the third on 
Turkey River. 

The lowas, at one time identified with the Sacs, of Rock River, had with- 
drawn from them and become a separate tribe. Their principal village was on 
the Des Moines River, in Van Buren County, on the site where lowaville now 
stands. Here the last great battle between the Sacs and Foxes and the lowas 
was fought, in Avhich Black Hawk, then a young man, commanded one division 
of the attacking forces. The following account of the battle has been given : 

"Contrary to long established custom of Indian attack, this battle was commenced in the day 
time, the attending circumstances justifying this departure from the well settled usages of Indian 
warfare. The battle field was a level river bottom, about four miles in length, and two miles 
wide near the middle, narrowing to a point at either end. The main area of this bottom rises 
perhaps twenty feet above the river, leaving a narrow strip of low bottom along the shore, covered 
with trees that belted the prairie on the river side with a thick forest, and the immediate bank of 
the river was fringed with a dense growth of willows. Near the lower end of this prairie, near 
the river bank, was situated the Iowa village. About two miles above it and near the middle of 
the prairie is a iijound, covered at the time with a tuft of small trees and underbrush growing on 
its summit. In the rear of this little elevation or mound lay a belt of wet prairie, covered, at that 
time, with a dense growth of rank, coarse grass. Bordering this wet prairie on the north, the 
country rises abruptly into elevated broken river blufl's, covered with a heavy forest for many 
miles in extent, and in places thickly clustered with undergrowth, affording a convenient shelter 
for the stealthy approach of the foe. 

" Through this forest the Sac and Fox war party made their way in the night and secreted 
themselves in the tall grass spoken of above, intending to remain in ambush during the day and 
make such observations as this near proximity to.their intended victim might aiford, to aid them 
in their contemplated attack on the town during the following night. From this situation their 
spies could take a full survey of the village, and watch every movement of the inhabitants, by 
which means they were soon convinced that the lowas had no suspicion of their presence. 

" Atthefootof the mound above mentioned, the lowas had their race course, where they diverted 
themselves with the excitement of horse racing, and schooled their young warriors in cavalry 
evolutions. In these exercises mock battles were fought, and the Indian tactics of attack and 
defense carefully inculcated, by which means a skill in horsemanship was acquired rarely excelled. 
Unfortunately for them this day was selected for their equestrian sports, and wholly uncon- 
scious of the proximity of their foes, the warriors repaired to the race ground, leaving most of 
their arms in the village and their old men and women and children unprotected. 

" Pash-a-po-po, who was chief in command of the Sacs and Foxes, perceived at once the 
advantage this state of things afforded for a complete surprise of his now doomed victims, and 
ordered Black Hawk to file off with his young warriors through the tall grass and gain the cover 
of the timber along the river bank, and with the utmost speed reach the village and commence 
the battle, while he remained with his division in the ambush to make a simultaneous assault on 
the unarmed men whose attention was engrossed with the excitement of the races. The plan 
was skillfully laid and most dexterously executed. Black Hawk with his forces reached the 
village undiscovered, and made a furious onslaught upon the defenseless inhabitants, by firing 
one general volley into their midst, and completing the slaughter with the tomahawk and scalp- 
ing knife, aided by the devouring flames with which they enveloped the village as soon as the 
fire brand could be spread from lodge to lodge. 

" On the instant ot the report of fire arms at the village, the forces under Pash-a-po-po 
leaped from their couchant position in the grass and sprang tiger-like upon the astonished and 
unarmed lowas in the midst of their racing sports. The first impulse of the latter naturally led 
them to make tlie utmost speed toward their arms in the village, and protect if possible their 
wives and chiLlren from the attack of their merciless assailants. The distance from the place of 
attack on the prairie was two miles, and a great number fell in their fiight by the bullets and 
tomahawks of their enemies, who pressed them closely with a running fire the whole way, and 
the survivors only reached their town in time to witness the horrors of its destruction. Their 
whole village was in flames, and the dearest objects of their lives lay in slaughtered heaps 
amidst the devouring element, anrl the agonizing groans of the dying, mingled with the exulting 
shouts of the victorious foe, filled their hearts with maddening despair. Their wives and children 
who had been spared the general massacre were prisoners, and together with their arms were in 
the hands of the victors ; and all that could now be done was to draw off their shattered and 
defenseless forces, and save as many lives as possible by a retreat across the Des Moines River, 
which they effected in the best possible manner, and took a position among the Soap Creek 
Hills." 

The Sacs and Foxes, prior to the settlement of their village on Rock River, 
had a fierce conflict with the Winnebagoes, subdued them and took Dossession 



28 HISTORY -OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

of their lands. Their village on Rock River, at one time, contained upward of 
sixty lodges, and was among the largest Indian villages on the continent. In 
1825, the Secretary of War estniiated the entire number of the Sacs and Foxes 
at 4,600 souls. Their village was situated in the immediate vicinity of the 
upper rapids of the Mississippi, Avhere the beautiful and flourishing towns of 
Rock Island and Davenport are now situated. The beautiful scenery of the 
island, the extensive prairies, dotted over with groves ; the picturesque bluffs 
along the river banks, the rich and fertile soil, producing large crops of corn, 
squash and other vegetables, with little labor; the abundance of wild fruit, 
game, fish, and almost everything calculated to make it a delightful spot for an 
Indian village, which was found there, had made this place a ftivorite home of 
the Sacs, and secured for it the strong attachment and veneration of the whole 
nation. 

North of the hunting grounds of the Sacs and Foxes, were those of the 
Sioux, a fierce and warlike nation, who often disputed possession with their 
rivals in savage and bloody warfare. The possessions of these tribes were 
mostly located in Minnesota, but extended over a portion of Northern and 
Western Iowa to the Missouri River. Their descent from the north upon the 
hunting grounds of Iowa frequently brought them into collision with the Sacs 
and Foxes ; and after many a conflict and bloody struggle, a boundary line was 
established between them by the Government of the United States, in a treaty 
held at Prairie du Chien, in 1825. But this, instead of settling the difiiculties, 
caused them to quarrel all the more, in consequence of alleged trespasses upon 
each other's side of the line. These contests were kept up and became so unre- 
lenting that, in 1830, Government bought of the respective tribes of the Sacs 
and Foxes, and the Sioux, a strip of land twenty miles in width, on both sides 
of the line, and thus throwing them forty miles apart by creating between them 
a "neutral ground," commanded them to cease their hostilities. Both the 
Sacs and Foxes and the Sioux, however, were allowed to fish and hunt on this 
ground unmolested, provided they did not interfere with each other on United 
States territory. The Sacs and Foxes and the Sioux were deadly enemies, and 
neither let an opportunity to punish the other pass unimproved. 

In April, 1852, a fight occurred between the Musquaka band of Sacs and 
Foxes and a band of Sioux, about six miles above Algona, in Kossuth County, 
on the west side of the Des Moines River. The Sacs and Foxes were under 
the leadership of Ko-ko-wah, a subordinate chief, and had gone up from their 
home in Tama County, by way of Clear Lake, to what was then the " neutral 
ground." At Clear Lake, Ko-ko-wah was informed that a party of Sioux were 
encamped on the west side of the East Fork of the Des Moines, and he deter- 
mined to attack them. With sixty of his warriors, he started and arrived at a 
point on the east side of the river, about a mile above the Sioux encampment, 
in the night, and concealed themselves in a grove, where they were able to dis- 
cover the position and strength of their hereditary foes. The next morning, 
after many of the Sioux braves had left their camp on hunting tours, the vin- 
dictive Sacs and Foxes crossed the river and suddenly attacked the camp. The 
conflict was desperate for a short time, but the advantage Avas with the assail- 
ants, and the Sioux were routed. Sixteen of them, including some of their 
women and children, Avere killed, and a boy 14 years old was captured. One 
of tlie Musquakas was shot in tlie breast by a squaw as they were rushing into 
the Sioux"s camp. He started to run away, when the same brave squaw shot 
him through the body, at a distance of twenty rods, and he fell dead. Three 
other Sac braves were killed. But few of the Sioux escaped. The victorious 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 29 

party hurriedly buried their own dead, leaving the dead Sioux above ground, 
and made their way home, with their captive, with all possible expedition. 

pike's EXPEDITION. 

Very soon after the acquisition of Louisiana, the United States Government 
adopted measures for the exploration of the new territory, having in view the 
conciliation of the numerous tribes of Indians by whom it was possessed, and, 
also, the selection of proper sites for the establishment of military posts and 
trading stations. The Army of the West, Gen. James Wilkinson commanding, 
had its headquarters at St. Louis. From this post, Captains Lewis and Clark, 
with a sufficient force, were detailed to explore the unknown sources of the 
Missouri, and Lieut. Zebulon M. Pike to ascend to the head waters of the Mis- 
sissippi. Lieut. Pike, with one Sergeant, two Corporals and seventeen privates, 
left the military camp, near St. Louis, in a keel-boat, with four months' rations, 
on the 9th day of August, 1805. On the 20th of the same month, the expe- 
dition arrived within the present limits of Iowa, at the foot of the Des Moines 
Rapids, where Pike met William Ewing, who had just been appointed Indian 
Agent at this point, a French interpreter and four chiefs and fifteen Sac and 
Fox warriors. 

At the head of the Rapids, where Montrose is now situated, Pike held a 
council with the Indians, in which he addressed them substantially as follows : 
" Your great Father, the President of the United States, wished to be more 
intimately acquainted with the situation and wants of the different nations of 
red people in our newly acquired territory of Louisiana, and has ordered the 
General to send a number of his warriors in different directions to take them by 
the hand and make such inquiries as might afford the satisfaction required." 
At the close of the council he presented the red men with some knives, whisky 
and tobacco. 

Pursuing his way up the river, he arrived, on the 23d of August, at what is 
supposed, from his description, to be the site of the present city of Burlington, 
which he selected as the location of a military post. He describes the place as 
being " on a hill, about forty miles above the River de Moyne Rapids, on the 
west side of the river, in latitude about 41° 21' north. The channel of the 
river runs on that shore ; the hill in front is about sixty feet perpendicular ; 
nearly level on top ; four hundred yards in the rear is a small prairie fit for 
gardening, and immediately under the hill is a limestone spring, sufficient for 
the consumption of a whole regiment." In addition to this description, which 
corresponds to Burlington, the spot is laid down on his map at a bend in the 
river, a short distance below the mouth of the Henderson, which pours its waters 
into the Mississippi from Illinois. The fort was built at Fort Madison, but from 
the distance, latitude, description and map furnished by Pike, it could not have 
been the place selected by him, while all the circumstances corroborate the 
opinion that the place he selected was the spot where Burlington is now located, 
called by the early voyagers on the Mississippi, "Flint Hills." 

On the 24th, with one of his men, he went on shore on a hunting expedition, 
and following a stream which they supposed to be a part of the Mississippi, they 
were led away from their course. Owing to the intense heat and tall grass, his 
two favorite dogs, which he had taken with him, became exhausted and he left 
them on the prairie, supposing that they would follow him as soon as they 
should get rested, and went on to overtake his boat. Reaching the river, he 
waited some time for his canine friends, but they did not come, and as he deemed 
it inexpedient to detain the boat longer, two of his men volunteered to go in pur- 



30 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

suit of them, and he continued on his way up the river, expecting that the two 
men would soon overtake him. They lost their way, however, and for six days 
were without food, except a few morsels gathered from the stream, and might 
have perished, had they not accidentally met a trader from St. Louis, who in- 
duced two Indians to take them up the river, and they overtook the boat at 
Dubuque. 

At Dubuque, Pike was cordially received by Julien Dubuque, a Frenchman, 
who held a mining claim under a grant from Spain. Dubuque had an old field 
piece and fired a salute in honor of the advent of the first Americans who had 
visited that part of the Territory. Dubuque, however, was not disposed to pub- 
lish the wealth of his mines, and the young and evidently inquisitive officer 
obtained but little information from him. 

After leaving this place. Pike pursued his way up the river, but as he passed 
beyond the limits of the present State of Iowa, a detailed history of his explo- 
rations on the upper waters of the Mississippi more properly belongs to the his- 
tory of another State. 

It is sufficient to say that on the site of Fort Snelling, Minnesota, at the 
mouth of the Minnesota River, Pike held a council with the Sioux, September 
23, and obtained from them a grant of one hundred thousand acres of land. 
On the 8th of January, 1806, Pike arrived at a trading post belonging to the 
Northwest Company, on Lake De Sable, in latitude 47°. At this time the 
then powerful Northwest Company carried on their immense operations from 
Hudson's Bay to the St. Lawrence ; up that river on both sides, along the great 
lakes to the head of Lake Superior, thence to the sources of the Red River of 
the north and west, to the Rocky Mountains, embracing within the scope of 
their operations the entire Territory of Iowa. After successfully accomplishing 
his mission, and performing a valuable service to Iowa and the whole Northwest, 
Pike returned to St. Louis, arriving there on the 30th of April, 1806. 

INDIAN WARS. 

The Territory of Iowa, although it had been purchased by the United States, 
and was ostensibly in the possession of the Government, was still occupied by 
the Indians, who claimed title to the soil by right of ownership and possession. 
Before it could be open to settlement by the whites, it was indispensable that 
the Indian title should be extinguished and the original o^^ners removed. The 
accomplishment of this purpose required the expenditure of large sums of 
money and blood, and for a long series of years the frontier was disturbed by 
Indian wars, terminated repeatedly by treaty, only to be renewed by some act 
of oppression on the part of the whites or some violation of treaty stipulation. 

As previously shown, at the time when the United States assumed the con- 
trol of the country by virtue of the Louisiana purchase, nearly the whole State 
was in possession of the Sacs and Foxes, a powerful and warlike nation, who 
were not disposed to submit without a struggle to what they considered the 
encroachments of the pale faces. 

Among the most noted chiefs, and one whose restlessness and hatred of the 
Americans occasioned more trouble to the Government than any other of his 
tribe, was Black Hawk, who was born at the Sac village, on Rock River, in 
1767. He was simply the chief of his own band of Sac warriors, but by his 
energy and ambition he became the leading spirit of the united nation of Sacs 
and Foxes, and one of the prominent figures in the history of the country from 
1804 until his death. In early manhood he attained some distinction as a 
fighting chief, having led campaigns against the Osages, and other neighboring 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 31 

•«? 

tribes. About the beginning of the present century he began to appear prom- 
inent in affairs on the Mississippi. Some historians have added to the statement 
that " it does not appear that he was ever a great general, or possessed any of 
the quali'lications of a successful leader." If this was so, his life was a marvel. 
How any man who had none of the qualifications of a leader became so prom- 
inent as such, as he did, indicates either that he had some ability, or that his 
cotemporaries, both Indian and Anglo-Saxon, had less than he. He is said 
to have been the '' victim of a narrow prejudice and bitter ill-will against the 
Americans," but the impartial historian must admit tliat if he was the enemy 
of theAmericans, it was certainly not without some reason. 

It will be remembered that Spain did not give up possession of the country 
to France on its cession to the latter power, in 1801, but retained possession of 
it, and, by the authority of France, transferred it totlie United States, in 1804. 
Black Hawk and his band were in St. Louis at the time, and were invited to be 
present and witness the ceremonies of the transfer, but he refused the invitation, 
and it is but just to say that this refusal was caused probably more from 
regret that the Indians were to be transferred from the jurisdiction of the 
Spanish authorities than from any special hatred toward the Americans. In 
his life he says : " I found many sad and gloomy faces because the United 
States were about to take possession of the town and country. Soon after the 
Americans came, I took my band and went to take leave of our Spanish father. 
The Americans came to see him also. Seeing them approach, we passed out 
of one door as they entered another, and immediately started in our canoes for 
our village, on Rock River, not liking the change any more than our friends 
appeared to at St. Louis. On arriving at our village, we gave the news that 
strange people had arrived at St. Louis, and that we should never see our 
Spanish father again. The information made all our people sorry." 

On the 3d day of November, 1804, a treaty was concluded between William 
Henry Harrison, then Governor of Indiana Territory, on behalf of the United 
States, and five chiefs of the Sac and Fox nation, by which the latter, in con- 
sideration of two thousand two hundred and thirty-four dollars' worth of goods 
then delivered, and a yearly annuity of one thousand dollars to be paid in 
goods at just cost, ceded to the United States all that land on the east side of 
the Mississppi, extending from a point opposite the Jefferson, in Missouri, to 
the Wisconsin River, embracing an area of over fifty-one millions of acres. 

To this treaty Black Hawk always objected and always refused to consider 
it binding upon his people. He asserted that the chiefs or braves who made it 
had no authority to relinquish the title of the nation to any of the lands they 
held or occupied ; and, moreover, that they had been sent to St. Louis on quite 
a different errand, namely, to get one of their people released, who had been 
imprisoned at St. Louis for killing a white man. 

The year following this treaty (1805), Lieutenant Zebulon M. Pike came up 
the river for the purpose of holding friendly councils with the Indians and select- 
ing sites for forts within the territory recently acquired from France by the 
United States. Lieutenant Pike seems to have been the first American whom 
Black Hawk ever met or had a personal interview with ; and he was very much 
prepossessed in Pike's favor. He gives the following account of his visit to 
Rock Island : 

" A boat came up the river with a young American chief and a small party 
of soldiers. We heard of them soon after they passed Salt River. Some of our 
young braves watched them every day, to see what sort of people he had on 
board. . The boat at length arrived at Rock River, and the young chief came on 



32 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

shore with his interpreter, and made a speech and gave us some presents. We 
in turn presented them with meat and such other provisions as we had to spare. 
We were well pleased with the young chief. He gave us good advice, and said 
our American father would treat us well." 

The events which soon followed Pike's expedition were the erection of Fort 
Edwards, at what is now Warsaw, Illinois, and Fort Madison, on the site of the 
present town of that name, the latter being the first fort erected in Iowa. These 
movements occasioned great uneasiness among the Indians. When work was 
commenced on Fort Edwards, a delegation from their nation, headed by some of 
their chiefs, went down to see what the Americans were doing, and had an in- 
terview with the commander ; after which they returned home apparently satis- 
fied. In like manner, when Fort Madison was being erected, they sent down 
another delegation from a council of the nation held at Rock River. Accord- 
ing to Black Hawk's account, the American chief told them that he was build- 
ing a house for a trader who Avas coming to sell them goods cheap, and that the 
soldiers were coming to keep him company — a statement which Black Hawk 
says they distrusted at the time, believing that the fort was an encroacliment 
upon their rights, and designed to aid in getting their lands away from them. 

It has been held by good American authorities, that the erection of Fort 
Madison at the point where it was located tvas a violation of the treaty of 1804. 
By the eleventh article of that treaty, the United States had a right to build a 
fort near the mouth of the Wisconsin River ; by article six they had bound 
themselves "that if any citizen of the United States or any other white persons 
should form a settlement upon their lands, such intruders should forthwith be 
removed." Probably the authorities of the United States did not regard the 
establishment of military posts as coming properly within the meaning of the 
term "settlement," as used in the treaty. At all events, they erected Fort 
Madison within the territory reserved to the Indians, who became very indig- 
nant. Not long after the fort was built, a party led by Black Hawk attempted 
its destruction. They sent spies to watch the movements of the garrison, who 
ascertained that the soldiers were in the habit of marching out of the fort every 
morning and evening for parade, and the plan of the party was to conceal them- 
selves near the fort, and attack and surprise them when they were outside. On 
the morning of the proposed day of attack, five soldiers came out and were fired 
upon by the Indians, two of them being killed. The Indians were too hasty in 
their movement, for the regular drill had not yet commenced. However, they 
kept up the attack for several days, attempting the old Fox strategy of setting 
fire to the fort with blazing arrows ; but finding their efforts unavailing, they 
soon gave up and returned to Rock River. 

f When war was declared between the United States and Great Britain, m 
1812, Black Hawk and his band allied themselves with the British, partly 
because he was dazzled by their specious promises, and more probably because 
they had been deceived by the Americans. Black Hawk himself declared that 
they were "forced into the war by being deceived." He narrates the circum- 
stances as follows : " Several of the chiefs and head men of the Sacs and 
Foxes were called upon to go to Washington to see their Great Father. On 
their return, they related what had been said and done. They said the Great 
Father wished them, in the event of a war taking place with England, not to 
interfere on either side, but to remain neutral. He did not want our help, but 
wished us to hunt and support our families, and live in peace. He said that 
British traders would not be permitted to come on the Mississippi to furnish us 
with goods, but that we should be supplied with an American trader. Our 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 33 

chiefs then told him that the British traders always gave them credit in the 
Fall for guns, powder and goods, to enable us to hunt and clothe our families. 
He repeated that the traders at Fort Madison would have plenty of goods ; 
that we should go there in the Fall and he would supply us on credit, as the 
British traders had done." 

Black Hawk seems to have accepted of this proposition, and he and his 
people were very much pleased. Acting in good faith, they fitted out for their 
Winter's hunt, and went to Fort Madison in high spirits to receive from the 
trader their outfit of supplies. But, after waiting some time, they were told by 
the trader that he would not trust them. It was in vain that they pleaded the 
promise of their great father at Washington. The trader was inexorable ; and, 
disappointed and crestfallen, they turned sadly toward their own village. ''Few 
of us," says Black Hawk, "slept that night; all was gloom and discontent. In 
the morning, a canoe was seen ascending the river ; it soon arrived, bearing an 
express, who brought intelligence that a British trader had landed at Rock 
Island with two boats loaded with goods, and requested us to come up imme- 
diately, because he had good news for us, and a variety of presents. The 
express presented us with tobacco, pipes and wampum. The news ran through 
our camp like fire on a prairie. Our lodges were soon taken down, and all 
started for Rock Island. Here ended all hopes of our remaining at peace, 
having been forced into the war by being deceived." 

He joined the British, who flattered him, styled him " Gren. Black Hawk," 
decked him with medals, excited his jealousies against the Americans, and 
armed his band ; but he met with defeat and disappointment, and soon aban- 
doned the service and came home. 

With all his skill and courage. Black HaAvk was unable to lead all the Sacs 
and Foxes into hostilities to the United States. A portion of them, at the head 
of whom was Keokuk ("the Watchful Fox"), were disposed to abide by the 
treaty of 1804, and to cultivate friendly relations with the American people. 
Therefore, when Black Hawk and liis band joined the fortunes of Great 
Britain, the rest of the nation remained neutral, and, for protection, organized, 
with Keokuk for their chief. This divided the nation into the " War and the 
Peace party." 

Black Hawk says he was informed, after he had gone to the war, that the 
nation, which had been reduced to so small a body of fighting men, were unable 
to defend themselves in case the Americans should attack them, and havnig all 
the old men and women and children belonging to the warriors who had joined 
the British on their hands to provide for, a council was held, and it was agreed 
that Quash-qua-me (the Lance) and other chiefs, together with the old men, 
women and children, and such others as chose to accompany them, should go to 
St. Louis and place themselves under the American chief stationed there. 
They accordingly went down, and were received as the "friendly band" of the 
Sacs and Foxes, and were provided for and sent up the Missouri River. On 
Black Hawk's return from the British army, he says Keokuk was introduced 
to him as the war chief of the braves then in the village. He inquired how he 
had become chief, and was informed that their spies had seen a large armed 
force going toward Peoria, and fears were entertained of an attack upon the 
village ; whereupon a council was held, which concluded to leave the village 
and cross over to the west side of the Mississippi. Keokuk had been standing 
at the door of the lodge where the council was held, not being allowed to enter 
on account of never having killed an enemy, where he remained until Wa-co-me 
came out. Keokuk asked permission to speak in the council, which Wa-co-me 
3 



3-1: HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

obtained for him. Keokuk then addressed the chiefs ; he remonstrated against 
the desertion of their village, their own homes and the graves of their fathers, 
and offered to defend the village. The council consented that he should be 
their war chief. He marshaled his braves, sent out spies, and advanced on the 
trail leading to Peoria, but returned without seeing the enemy. The Americans 
did not disturb the village, and all were satisfied with the appointment of 
Keokuk. 

Keokuk, like Black Hawk, was a descendant of the Sac branch of the 
nation, and was born on Rock River, in 1780. He was of a pacific disposition, 
but possessed the elements of true courage, and could fight, when occasion 
required, with a cool judgment and heroic energy. In his first battle, he en- 
countered and killed a Sioux, which placed him in the rank of warriors, and he 
was honored with a public feast by his tribe in commemoration of the event. 

Keokuk has been described as an orator, entitled to rank with the most 
gifted of his race. In person, he was tall and of portly bearing ; in his public 
speeches, he displayed a commanding attitude and graceful gestures ; he spoke 
rapidly, but his enunciation was clear, distinct and forcible ; he culled his fig- 
ures from the stores of nature and based his arguments on skillful logic. Un- 
fortunately for the reputation of Keokuk, as an orator among white people, he 
was never able to obtain an interpreter who could claim even a slight acquaint- 
ance with philosophy. With one exception only, his interpreters were unac- 
quainted with the elements of their mother-tongue. Of this serious hindrance 
to his fame, Keokuk was well aware, and retained Frank Labershure, who had 
received a rudimental education in the French and English languages, until the 
latter broke down by dissipation and died. But during the meridian of his 
career among the white people, he was compelled to submit his speeches for 
translation to uneducated men, whose range of thought fell below the flights of 
a gifted mind, and the fine imagery drawn from nature was beyond their power 
of reproduction. He had sufficient knowledge of the English language to make 
him sensible of this bad rendering of his thoughts, and often a feeling of morti- 
fication at the bungling efibrts was depicted on his countenance while speaking. 
The proper place to form a correct estimate of his ability as an orator was in 
the Indian council, where he addressed himself exclusively to those who under- 
stood his language, and witness the electrical effect of his eloquence upon his 
audience. 

Keokuk seems to have possessed a more sober judgment, and to have had a 
more intelligent view of the great strength and resources of the United States, 
than his noted and restless cotemporary. Black Hawk. He knew from the first 
that the reckless war which Black Hawk and his band had determined to carry on 
could result in nothing but defeat and disaster, and used every argument against 
it. The large number of warriors whom he had dissuaded from following Black 
Hawk became, however, greatly excited with the war spirit after Stillman's 
defeat, and but for the signal tact displayed by Keokuk on that occasion, would 
have forced him to submit to their wishes in joining the rest of the warriors in 
the field. A Avar-dance was held, and Keokuk took part in it, seeming to be 
moved with the current of the rising storm. When the dance was over, he 
called the council to prepare for war. He made a speech, in which he admitted 
the justice of their complaints against the Americans. To seek redress was a 
noble aspiration of their nature. The blood of their brethren had been shed by 
the white man, and the spirits of their braves, slain in battle, called loudly for 
vengeance. "I am your chief," he said, " and it is my duty to lead you to bat- 
tle, if, after fully considering the matter, you are determined to go. But before 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 35 

you decide on taking this important step, it is wise to inquire into the chances of 
success." He then portrayed to them the great power of the United States, 
against whom they Avould have to contend, that their chance of success was 
utterly hopeless. " But," said he, " if you do determine to go upon the war- 
path, I will agree to lead you, on one condition, viz.: that before we go, Ave will 
kill all our old men and our wives and children, to save them from a lingering 
death of starvation, and that every one of us determine to leave our homes on 
the other side of the Mississippi." 

This was a strong but truthful picture of the prospect before them, and was 
presented in such a forcible light as to cool their ardor, and cause them to aban- 
don the rash undertaking. 

But during the war of 1832, it is now considered certain that small bands of 
Indians, from the west side of the Mississippi, made incursions into the white 
settlements, in the lead mining region, and committed some murders and dep- 
redations. 

When peace was declared between the United States and England, Black 
Hawk w^as required to make peace with the former, and entered into a treaty 
at Portage des Sioux, September 14, 1815, but did not "touch the goose-quill 
to it until May 13, 1816, when he smoked the pipe of peace with the great 
white chief," at St. Louis. This treaty was a renewal of the treaty of 1804, 
but Black Hawk declared he had been deceived ; that he did not know that by 
signing the treaty he was giving away his village. This weighed upon his mind, 
already soured by previous disappointment and the irresistible encroachments of 
the whites ; and when, a few years later, he and his people were driven from 
their possessions by the military, he determined to return to the home of his 
fathers. 

It is also to be remarked that, in 1816, by treaty with various tribes, the 
United States relinquished to the Indians all the lands lying north of a line 
drawn from the southernmost point of Lake Michigan west to the Mississippi, 
except a reservation five leagues square, on the Mississippi River, supposed then 
to be sufiicient to include all the mineral lands on and adjacent to Fever River, 
and one league square at the mouth of the Wisconsin River. 

THE BLACK HAWK WAR. 

The immediate cause of the Indian outbreak in 1830 was the occupation of 
Black Hawk's village, on the Rock River, by the whites, during the absence of 
the chief and his braves on a hunting expedition, on the west side of the 
Mississippi. When they returned, they found their wigwams occupied by white 
families, and their own women and children were shelterless on the banks of 
the river. The Indians were indignant, and determined to repossess their village 
at all hazards, and early in the Spring of 1831 recrossed the Mississippi and 
menacingly took possession of their own cornfields and cabins. It may be well 
to remark here that it was expressly stipulated in the treaty of 1804, to which 
they attributed all their troubles, that the Indians should not be obliged to 
leave their lands until they were sold by the United States, and it does not 
appear that they occupied any lands other than those owned by the Government. 
If this was true, the Indians had good cause for indignation and complaint. 
But the whites, driven out in turn by the returning Indians, became so clamorous 
against what they termed the encroachments of the natives, that Gov. Reynolds, of 
Illinois, ordered Gen Gaines to Rock Island with a military force to drive the 
Indians again from their homes to the west side of the Mississippi. Black Hawk 
says he did not intend to be provoked into war by anything less than the blood of 



36 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF .IOWA. 

some of his own people ; in other words, that there w^ould be no war unless it should 
be commenced by the pale faces. But it was said and probably thought by the mili- 
tary commanders along the frontier that the Indians intended to unite in a general 
war against the whites, from Rock River to the Mexican borders. But it does not 
appear that the hardy frontiersmen themselves had any fears, for their experi- 
ence had been that, when well treated, their Indian neighbors were not danger- 
ous. Black Hawk and his band had done no more than to attempt to repossess the 
the old homes of which they had been deprived in their absence. No blood 
had been shed. Black Hawk and liis chiefs sent a flag of truce, and a new 
treaty was made, by which Black Hawk and his band agreed to remain forever 
on the Iowa side and never recross the river without the permission of the 
President or the Governor of Illinois. Whether the Indians clearly understood 
the terms of this treaty is uncertain. As was usual, the Indian traders had 
dictated terms on their behalf, and they had received a large amount of pro- 
visions, etc., from tlie Government, but it may well be doubted whether the 
Indians comprehended that they could never revisit the graves of their fathers 
without violating their treaty. They undoubtedly thought that they had agreed 
never to recross the Mississippi with hostile intent. However this may be, on 
the 6th day of April, 1832, Black HaAvk and his entire band, with their women 
and children, again recrossed the Mississippi in plain view of the garrison of 
Fort Armstrong, and went up Rock River. Although this act was construed 
into an act of hostility by the military authorities, who declared that Black 
Hawk intended to recover his village, or the site where it stood, by force ; but 
it does not appear that he made any such attempt, nor did his apearance 
create any special alarm among the settlers. They knew that the Indians never 
went on the war path encumbered with the old men, their women and their 
children. 

The G-alenian, printed in Galena, of May 2, 1832, says that Black Hawk 
was invited by the Prophet and had taken possession of a tract about forty 
miles up Rock River ; but that he did not remain there long, but commenced 
his march up Rock River. Capt. W. B. Green, who served in Capt. Stephen- 
son's company of mounted rangers, says that " Black Hawk and h's band 
crossed the river with no hostile intent, but that his band had had bad luck in 
hunting during the previous Winter, were actually in a starving condition, and 
had come over to spend the Summer with a friendly tribe on the head waters of 
the Rock and Illinois Rivers, by invitation from their chief Other old set- 
tlers, who all agree that Black Hawk had no idea of fighting, say that he came 
back to the west side expecting to negotiate another treaty, and get a new 
supply of provisions. The most reasonable explanation of this movement, Avhich 
resulted so disastrously to Black Hawk and his starving people, is that, during 
the Fall and Winter of 1831-2, his people became deeply indebted to their 
favorite trader at Fort Armstrong (Rock Island). They had not been fortunate 
in hunting, and he was likely to lose heavily, as an Indian debt was outlawed 
in one year. If, therefore, the Indians could be induced to come over, and the 
fears of the military could be sufficiently aroused to pursue them, another treaty 
could be negotiated, and from the payments from the Government the shrewd 
trader could get his pay. Just a Aveek after Black Hawk crossed the river, on 
the 13th of April, 1832, George Davenport wrote to Gen. Atkinson : " I am 
informed that the British band of Sac Indians are determined to make war on 
the frontier settlements. * * * From every information that I have 
received, I am of the opinion that the intention of the British band of Sac 
Indians is to commit depredations on the inhabitants of the frontier." And 



HISTORr OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 37 

yet, from the 6th day of April until after Stillman's men commenced war by 
firing on a flag of truce from Black Hawk, no murders nor depredations were 
committed by the British band of Sac Indians. 

It is not the purpose of this sketch to detail the incidents of the Black 
Hawk Avar of 1832, as it pertains rather to the history of the State of Illinois. 
It i^ sufficient to say that, after the disgraceful affair at Stillman's Run, Black 
Hawk, concluding that the whites, refusing to treat with him, were determined 
to exterminate his people, determined to return to the Iowa side of the Missis- 
sippi, tie could not return by the way he came, for the army was behind him, 
an army, too, that would sternly refuse to recognize the white flag of peace. 
His only course was to make his way northward and reach the Mississippi, if 
possible, before the troops could overtake him, and this he did ; but, before he 
could get his women and children across tlie Wisconsin, he was overtaken, and a 
battle ensued. Here, again, he sued for peace, and, through his trusty Lieu- 
tenant, "the Prophet," the whites were plainly informed that the starving 
Indians did not wish to fight, but would return to the west side of the Missis- 
sippi, peaceably, if they could be permitted to do so. No attention was paid to 
this second effort to negotiate peace, and, as soon as supplies could be obtained, 
the pursuit Avas resumed, the flying Indians were overtaken again eight miles 
before they reached the mouth of the Bad Axe, and the slaughter (it should not 
be dignified by the name of battle) commenced. Here, overcome by starvation 
and the victorious whites, his band was scattered, on the 2d day of August, 
1832. Black HaAvk escaped, but Avas brought into camp at Prairie du Chien 
by three Winnebagoes. He was confined in Jefferson Barracks until the 
Spring of 1833, Avhen Ke was sent to Washington, arri^'ing there April 22. On 
the 26th of April, they Avere taken to Fortress Monroe, where they remained 
till the 4th of June, 1833, Avhen orders Avere given for them to be liberated and 
returned to their own country. By order of the President, he was brought 
back to Iowa through the principal Eastern cities. Crowds flocked to see him 
all along his route, and he Avas very much flattered by the attentions he 
received. He lived among his people on the Iowa River till that reservation 
was sold, in 1836, Avdien, Avith the rest of the Sacs and Foxes, he removed to 
the Des Moines Reservation, Avhere he remained till his death, which occurred 
on the 3d of October, 1838. 



INDIAN PURCHASES, RESERVES AND TREATIES. 

At the close of the Black Hav/k War, in 1832, a treaty was made at a 
council held on the Avest bank of the Mississippi, where noAv stands the thriving 
city of Davenport, on grounds now occupied by the Chicago, Rock Island k 
Pacific Railroad Company, on the 21st day of September, 1832. At this 
council, the United States Avere represented by Gen. Wnifield Scott and Gov. 
Reynolds, of Illinois. Keokuk, Pash-a-pa-ho and some thirty other chiefs and 
warriors of the Sac and Fox nation were present. By this treaty, the Sacs and 
Foxes ceded to the United States a strip of land on the eastern border of Iowa 
fifty miles Avide, from the northern boundary of Missouri to the mouth of the 
Upper loAva River, containing about six million acres. The Avestern line of the 
purchase was parallel with the Mississippi. In consideration of this cession, 
the United States Government stipulated to pay annually to the confederated 
tribes, for thirty consecutive years, tAventy thousand dollars in specie, and to 
pay the debts of the Indians at Rock Island, which had been accumulating for 



38 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

seventeen years and amounted to fifty thousand dollars, due to Davenport & 
Farnham, Indian traders. The Government also generously donated to the 
Sac and Fox women and children whose husbands and fathers had fallen in the 
Black Hawk war, thirty-five beef cattle, twelve bushels of salt, thirty barrels of 
pork, fifty barrels of flour and six thousand bushels of corn. 

This territory is known as the "Black Hawk Purchase." Although it was 
not the first portion of Iowa ceded to the United States by the Sacs and Foxes, 
it was the first opened to actual settlement by the tide of emigration that flowed 
across the Mississippi as soon as the Indian title was extinguished. The treaty 
was ratified February 13, 1833, and took effect on the 1st of June following, 
when the Indians quietly removed from the ceded territory, and this fertile and 
beautiful region was opened to white settlers. 

By the terms of the treaty, out of the Black Hawk Purchase was reserved for 
the Sacs and Foxes 400 square miles of land situated on the Iowa River, and in- 
Icuding within its limits Keokuk's village, on the right bank of that river. This 
tract was known as " Keokuk's Reserve, ' and was occupied by the Indians until 
1836, when, by a treaty made in September between them and Gov. Dodge, of 
Wisconsin Territory, it was ceded to the United States. The council was held 
on the banks of the Mississippi, above Davenport, and was the largest assem- 
blage of the kind ever held by the Sacs and Foxes to treat for the sale of lands. 
About one thousand of their chiefs and braves were present, and Keokuk was 
their leading spirit and principal speaker on the occasion. By the terms of the 
treaty, the Sacs and Foxes were removed to another reservation on the Des 
Moines River, where an agency was established for them at what is now the 
town of Agency City. 

Besides the Keokuk Reserve, the Government gave out of the Black Hawk 
Purchase to Antoine Le Claire, interpreter, in fee simple, one section of land 
opposite Rock Island, and another at the head of the first rapids above the 
island, on the Iowa side. This was the first land title granted by the United 
States to an individual in Iowa. 

Soon after the removal of the Sacs and Foxes to their new reservation 
on the Des Moines River, Gen. Joseph M. Street was transferred from the 
agency of the Winnebagoes, at Prairie du Chien, to establish an agency 
among them. A farm was selected, on which the necessary buildings were 
erected, including a comfortable farm house for the agent and his family, at 
the expense of the Indian Fund. A salaried agent was employed to superin- 
tend the farm and dispose of the crops. Two mills were erected, one on Soap 
Creek and the other on Sugar Creek. The latter was soon swept away by a 
flood, but the former remained and did good service for many years. Connected 
with the agency were Joseph Smart and John Goodell, interpreters. The 
latter was interpreter for Hard Fish's band. Three of the Indian chiefs, Keo- 
kuk, Wapello and Appanoose, had each a large field improved, the two former 
on the right bank of the Des Moines, back from the river, in what is now 
"Keokuk's Prairie," and the latter on the present site of the city of Ottumwa. 
Among the traders connected with the agency were the Messrs. Ewing, from 
Ohio, and Phelps & Co., from Illinois, and also Mr. J. P. Eddy, who estab- 
lished his post at what is now the site of Eddyville. 

The Indians at this agency became idle and listless in the absence of their 
natural and wonted excitements, and many of them plunged into dissipation. 
Keokuk himself became dissipated in the latter years of his life, and it has 
been reported that he died of delirium tremens after his removal with his 
tribe to Kansas. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 39 

In May, 1843, most of the Indians were removed up the Des Moines River, 
above the temporary line of Red Rock, having ceded the remnant of their 
hinds in Iowa to the United States on the 21st of September, 1837, and on the 
11th of October, 1842. By the terms of the latter treaty, they held possession 
of the "New Purchase" till the Autumn of 1845, when the most of them 
were removed to their reservation in Kansas, the balance being removed in the 
Spring of 1846. 

1. Treaty ivith the Sioux — Made July 19, 1815 ; ratified December IG, 1815. This treaty 
was made at Portage des Sioux, between the Sioux of Minnesota and Upper Iowa and the United 
States, by William Clark and Ninian Edwards, Commissioners, and was merely a treaty of peace 
and friendship on the part of those Indians toward the United States at the close of the war of 
1812. 

"2. Treaty ivith the Sacs. — A similar treaty of peace was made at Portage des Sioux, between 
the United States and the Sacs, by AVilliam Clark, Ninian Edwards and Auguste Choteau, on the 
13th of September, 1815, and ratified at the same date as the above. In this, the treaty of 1804 
was re-aflBrmed, and the Sacs here represented promised for themselves and their bands to keep 
entirely separate from the Sacs of llock River, who, under Black Hawk, had joined the British 
in the war just then closed. 

3. Treaty with the Foxes. — A separate treaty of peace was made with the Foxes at Portage 
des Sioux, by the same Commissioners, on the 14th of September, 1815, and ratified the same as 
the above, wherein the Foxes re-affirmed the treaty of St. Louis, of November 3, 1804, and 
agreed to deliver up all their prisoners to the officer in command at Fort Clark, now Peoria, 
Illinois. 

4. Treaty with the loivas. — A treaty of peace and mutual good will was made between the 
United States and the Iowa tribe of Indians, at Portage des Sioux, by the same Commissioners 
as above, on the 16th of September, 1815, at the close of the war with Great Britain, and ratified 
at the same date as the others. 

5. Treaty with the Sacs of Rock River — Made at St. Louis on the 13th of May, 1816, between 
the United States and the Sacs of Rock River, by the Commissioners, William Clark, Ninian 
Edwards and Auguste Choteau, and ratified December 30, 1816. In this treaty, that of 1804 
was re-established and confirmed by twenty-two chiefs and head men of the Sacs of Rock River, 
and Black Hawk himself attached to it his signature, or, as he said, "touched the goose quill." 

6. Treat}/ of 1S24 — On the 4th of August, 1824, a treaty was made between the United 
States and the Sacs and Foxes, in the city of Washington, by William Clark, Commissioner, 
wherein the Sac and Fox nation relinquished their title to all lands in Missouri and that portion 
of the southeast corner of Iowa known as the " Half-Breed Tract" was set off and reserved for 
the use of the half-breeds of the Sacs and Foxes, they holding title in the same manner as In- 
dians. Ratified January 18, 1825. 

7. Treaty of August 19, 1825. — At this date a treaty was made by William Clark and Lewis 
Cass, at Prairie du Chien, between the United States and the Chippewas, Sacs and Foxes, Me- 
nomonees, Winuebagoes and a portion of the Ottawas and Pottawatomies. In this treaty, in 
order lo make peace between the contending tribes as to the limits of their respective hunting 
grounds in Iowa, it was agreed that the United States Government should run a .boundary line 
between the Sioux, on the north, and the Sacs and Foxes, on the south, as follows : 

Commencing at the mouth of the Upper Iowa River, on the west bank of the Mississippi, 
and ascending said luwa River to its west fork ; thence up the fork to its source ; thence cross- 
ing the fork of Red Cedar River in a direct line to the second or upper fork of the Des Moines 
River ; thence in a direct line to the lower fork of the Calumet River, and down that river to its 
junction with the Missouri River. 

8. Treaty of 1S30.— On the 15th of July, 1830, the confederate tribes of the Sacs and Foxes 
ceded to the United States a strip of country lying south of the above line, twenty miles in width, 
and extending along the line aforesaid from the Mississippi to the Des Moines River. The Sioux 
also, whose possessions were north of the line, ceded to the Government, in the same treaty, a> 
like strip on the north side of the boundary. Thus the United States, at the ratification of thi<) 
treaty, February 24, 1831, came into possession of a portion of Iowa forty miles wide, extend 
ing along the Clark and Cass line of 1825, from the Mississippi to the Des Moines River. Thw 
territory was known as the " Neutral Ground," and the tribes on either side of the line were 
allowed to fish and hunt on it unmolested till it was made a Winnebago reservation, and tha 
Winuebagoes were removed to it in 1841. 

9. Treaty wiih the Sacs and Foxes and other Tribes. — At the same time of the above treaty re- 
specting the " Neutral Ground" (July 15, 1830), the Sacs and Foxes, Western Sioux, Omahas, 
lowas and Missouris ceded to the United States a portion of the western slope of Iowa, the boun- 
daries of which were defined as follows : Beginning at the upper fork of the Des Moines River, 
and passing the sources of the Little Sioux and Floyd Rivers, to the fork of the first creek that 
falls into the Big Sioux, or Calumet, on the east side ; thence down said creek and th» Calumet 



40 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

River to the Missouri River ; thence down said Missouri River to the Missouri State line above 
the Kansas ; thence along said line to the northwest corner of said State ; thence to the high lands 
between the waters falling into the Missouri and Des Moines, passing to said high lands along 
the dividing ridge between the forks of the Grand River ; thence along said high lands or ridge 
separating the waters of the Missouri from those of the Des Moines, to a point opposite the source 
of the Boyer River, and thence in a direct line to the upper fork of the Des Moines, the place of 
beginning. 

It was understood that the lands ceded and relinquished by this treaty were to be assigned 
and allutted, under the direction of the President of the United States, to the tribes then living 
thereon, or to such other tribes as the President might locate thereon for hunting and other pur- 
poses. In consideration of three tracts of land ceded in this treaty, the United States agreed to 
pay to the Sacs three thousand dollars ; to the Foxes, three thousand dollars ; to the Sioux, 
two thousand dollars; to the Yankton and Santic hands of Sioux, three thousand dollars; to the 
Omahas, two thousand five hundred dollars; and to the Ottoes and Missouris, two thousand five 
hundred dollars — to be paid annually for ten (successive years. In addition to these annuities, 
the Government agreed to furnish some of the tribes with blacksmiths and agricultural imple- 
ments to the amount of two hundred dollars, at the expense of the United States, and to set apart 
throe thousand dollars annually for the education of the children of these tribes. It does not 
appear that any fort was erected iu this territory prior to the erection of Fort Atkinson on the 
Neutral Ground, in 1840-41. 

This treaty was made by William Clark, Superintendent of Indian affairs, and Col. Willoughby 
Morgan, of the United States First Infantry, and came into effect by proclamation, February 
24, 1831. 

10. Treaty with the Winnebagoes. — Made at Fort Armstrong, Rock Island, September 15, 1832, 
by Gen. Winfield Scott and Hon. John Reynolds, Governor of Illinois. In this treaty the Win- 
nebagoes ceded to the United States all their land lying on the east side of the Mississippi, and 
in part consideration therefor the United States granted to the Winnebagoes, to be held as other 
Indian lands are held, that portion of Iowa known as the Neutral Ground. The exchange of the 
two tracts of country was to take place on or before the 1st day of June, 1833. In addition to 
the Neutral Ground, it was stipulated that the United States should give the AVinnebagoes, begin- 
ning in September, 1833, and continuing for twenty-seven successive years, ten thousand dollars 
in specie, and establish a school among them, with a farm and garden, and provide other facili- 
ties for the education of their children, not to exceed in cost three thousand dollars a year, and 
to continue the same for twenty-seven successive years. Six agriculturists, twelve yoke of oxen 
and plows and other farming tools were to be supplied by the Government. 

11. Treaty of 1832 with the Sac.t and Foxes. — Already mentioned as the Black Hawk purchase. 

12. Treaty of 1S36, with the Sacs and Foxes, ceding Keokuk's Pieserve to the United States; 
for which the Government stipulated to pay thirty thousand dollars, and an annuity often thou- 
sand dollars for ten successive years, together with other sums and debts of the Indians to 
various parties. . 

13. Treaty of 1837. — On the 21st of October, 1837, a treaty was made at the city of Wash- 
ington, between Carey A. Harris, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and the confederate tribes of 
Sacs and Foxes, ratified February 21, 1838, wherein another slice of the soil of Iowa was obtained, 
described in the treaty as follows: "A tract of country containing 1,250,000 acres, lying west 
and adjoining the tract conveyed by them to the United States in the treaty of September 21, 
1832. It is understood that the points of termination for the present cession shall be the north- 
ern and southern points of said tract as fixed by the survey made under the authority of the 
United States, and that a line shall be drawn between them so as to intersect a line extended 
westwardly from the angle of said tract nearly opposite to Rock Island, as laid down in the above 
survey, so far as may be necessary to include the number of acres hereby ceded, which last 
mentioned line, it is estimated, will be about twenty-five miles." 

This piece of land was twenty-five miles wide in the middle, and ran off to a point at both 
ends, lying directly back of the Black Hawk Purchase, and of the same length. 

14 Treaty of Relinquishment. — At the same date as the above treaty, in the city of Washing- 
ton, Carey A. Harris, Commissioner, the Sacs and Foxes ceded to the United States all their 
right and interest in the country lying south of the boundary line between the Sacs and Foxes 
and Sioux, as described in the treaty of August 19, 1825, and between the Mississippi and Mis- 
souri Rivers, the United States paying for the same one hundred and sixty thousand dollars. 
The Indians also gave up all claims and interests under the treaties previously made with them, 
for the satisfaction of which no appropriations had been made. 

15. Treaty of 1843. — The last treaty was made with the Sacs and Foxes October 11, 1842; 
ratified March 23, 1843. It was made at the Sac and Fox agency (Agency City), by John 
Chambers, Commissioner on behalf of the United States. In this treaty the Sac and Fox Indians 
" ceded to the Uiuted States all their lands west of the Mississippi to which they had any claim 
or title." By the terms of this treaty they were to be removed from the country at the expira- 
tion of three years, and all who remained after that were to move at their own expense. Part 
of them were removed to Kansas in the Fall of 1845, and the rest the Spring following. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 41 



SPANISH GRANTS. 



While the territory now embraced in the State of Iowa was under Spanish 
rule as a part of its province of Louisiana, certain claims to and grants of land 
were made by the Spanish authorities, with which, in addition to the extinguishment 
of Indian titles, the United States had to deal. It is proper that these should 
be briefly reviewed. 

Dubuque. — On the 22d day of September, 1788, Julien Dubuque, a French- 
man, from Prairie du Chien, obtained from the Foxes a cession or lease of lands 
on the Mississippi River for mining purposes, on the site of the present city of 
Dubuque. Lead had been discovered here eight years before, in 1780, by the 
wife of Peosta Fox, a warrior, and Dubuque's claim embraced nearly all the lead 
bearing lands in that vicinity. He immediately took possession of his claim and 
commenced mining, at the same time making a settlement. The place became 
known as the "Spanish Miners," or, more commonly, "Dubuque's Lead 
Mines." 

In 1796, Dubuque filed a petition with Baron de Carondelet, the Spanish 
Governor of Louisiana, asking that the tract ceded to him by the Indians might 
be granted to him by patent from the Spanish Government. In this petition, 
Dubuque rather indefinitely set forth the boundaries of this claim as " about 
seven leagues along the Mississippi River, and three leagues in width from the 
river," intending to include, as is supposed, the river front between the Little 
Maquoketa and the Tete des Mertz Rivers, embracing more than twenty thou- 
sand acres. Carondelet granted the prayer of the petition, and the grant was 
subsequently confirmed by the Board of Land Commissioners of Louisiana. 

In October, 1804, Dubuque transferred the larger part of his claim to 
Auguste Choteau, of St. Louis, and on the 17th of May, 1805, he and Choteau 
jointly filed their claims with the Board of Commissioners. On the 20th of 
September, 1806, the Board decided in their favor, pronouncing the claim to be 
a regular Spanish grant, made and completed prior to the 1st day of October, 
1800, only one member, J. B. C. Lucas, dissenting. 

Dubuque died March 24, 1810. The Indians, understanding that the claim 
of Dubuque under their former act of cession was only a permit to occupy the 
tract and work the mines during his life, and that at his death they reverted to 
them, took possession and continued mining operations, and were sustained by 
the military authority of the United States, notwithstanding the decision of the 
Commissioners. When the Black Hawk purchase was consummated, the Du- 
buque claim thus held by the Indians was absorbed by the United States, as the 
Sacs and Foxes made no reservation of it in the treaty of 1832. 

The heirs of Choteau, however, were not disposed to relinquish their claim 
without a struggle. Late in 1832, they employed an agent to look after their 
interests, and authorized him to lease the rio-ht to dio; lead on the lands. The 
miners who commenced work under this agent were compelled by the military to 
abandon their operations, and one of the claimants went to Galena to institute 
legal proceedings, but found no court of competent jurisdiction, although he did 
bring an action for the recovery of a quantity of lead dug at Dubuque, for the 
purpose of testing the title. Being unable to identify the lead, however, he was 
non-suited. 

By act of Congress, approved July 2, 1836, the town of Dubuque was sur- 
veyed and platted. After lots had been sold and occupied by the purchasers, 
Henry Choteau brought an action of ejectment against Patrick Malony, who 



42 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

held land in Dubuque under a patent from the United States, for the recovery 
of seven undivided eighth parts of the Dubuque claim, as purchased by Auguste 
Choteau in 1804. The case was tried in the District Court of the United States 
for the District of Iowa, and was decided adversely to the plaintiff. The case was 
carried to the Supreme Court of the United States on a WTit of error, when it 
was heard at the December term, 1853, and the decision of the lower court was 
affirmed, the court holding that the permit from Carondolet was merely a lease 
or permit to work the mines ; that Dubuque asked, and the Governor of Louisiana 
granted, nothing more than the " peaceable possession " of certain lands obtained 
from the Indians; that Carondelet had no legal authority to makesnch a grant 
as claimed, and that, even if he had, this was but an " inchoate and imperfect 
title." 

Criard. — In 1795, the Lieutenant Governor of Upper Louisiana granted to 
Basil Giard five thousand eight hundred and sixty acres of land, in what is now 
Clayton County, known as the "Giard Tract." He occupied the land during 
the time that Iowa passed from Spain to France, and from France to the United 
States, in consideration of which the Federal Government granted a patent of 
the same to Giard in his own right. His heirs sold the whole tract to James H. 
Lockwood and Thomas P. Burnett, of Prairie du Chien, for three hundred dollars. 

Honori. — March 30, 1799, Zenon Trudeau, Acting Lieutenant Governor of 
L^pper Louisiana, granted to Louis Honori a tract of land on the site of the 
present town of Montrose, as follows : " It is permitted to Mr. Louis (Fresson) 
Henori, or Louis Honore Fesson, to establish himself at the head of the rapids 
of the River Des Moines, and his establishment once formed, notice of it shall be 
'given to the Governor General, in order to obtain for him a commission of a space 
sufficient to give value to such establishment, and at the same time to render it 
useful to the commerce of the peltries of this country, to watch the Indians and 
keep them in the fidelity which they owe to His Majesty." 

Honori took immediate possession of his claim, which he retained until 1805. 
Wliile trading with the natives, he became indebted to Joseph Robedoux, who 
obtained an execution on which the property was sold May 13, 1803, and was 
purchased by the creditor. In these proceedings the property was described as 
being " about six leagues above the River Des Moines." Robedoux died soon 
after he purchased the proprerty. Auguste Choteau, his executor, disposed of 
the Honori tract to Thomas F. Reddeck, in April, 1805, up to w^hich time 
Honori continued to occupy it. The grant, as made by the Spanish government, 
was a league square, but only one mile square was confirmed by the United 
States. After the half-breeds sold their lands, in which the Honori grant was 
included, various claimants resorted to litigation in attempts to invalidate the 
title of the Reddeck heirs, but it was finally confirmed by a decision of the 
Supreme Court of the United States in 1839, and is the oldest legal title to any 
land in the State of Iowa. 

THE HALF-BREED TRACT. 

Before any permanent settlement had been made in the Territory of Iowa, 
white adventurers, trappers and traders, many of whom were scattered along 
the Mississippi and its tributaries, as agents and employes of the American Fur 
Company, intermarried with the females of the Sac and Fox Indians, producing 
a race of half-breeds, whose number was never definitely ascertained. There 
were some respectable and excellent people among them, children of men of 
some refinement and education. For instance : Dr. Muir, a gentleman educated 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 43 

at Edinburgh, Scotland, a surgeon in the United States Army, stationed at a 
military post located on the present site of Warsaw, married an Indian woman, 
and reared his family of three daughters in the city of Keokuk. Other exam- 
ples might be cited, but they are probably exceptions to the general rule, and 
the race is now nearly or quite extinct in Iowa. 

A treaty was made at Washington, August 4, 1824, between the Sacs and 
Foxes and the United States, by which that portion of Lee County was reserved 
to the half-breeds of those tribes, and which Avas afterward known as " The 
Half-Breed Tract." This reservation is the triangular piece of land, containing 
about 119,000 acres, lying between the Mississippi andDes Moines Rivers. It is 
bounded on the north by the prolongation of the northern line of Missouri. 
This line Avas intended to be a straight one, running due east, which would have 
caused it to strike the Mississippi River at or below Montrose ; but the surveyor who 
run it took no notice of the change in the variation of the needle as he proceeded 
eastward, and, in consequence, the line he run was bent, deviating more and more 
to the northward of a direct line as he approached the Mississippi, so that it 
struck that river at the lower edge of the town of Fort Madison. " This errone- 
ous line," says Judge Mason, "has been acquiesced in as well in fixing the 
northern limit of the Half-Breed Tract as in determining the northern boundary 
line of the State of Missouri." The line thus run included in the reservation 
a portion of the lower part of the city of Fort Madison, and all of the present 
townships of Van Buren, Charleston, Jefferson, Des Moines, Montrose and 
Jackson. 

Under the treaty of 1824, the half-breeds had the right to occupy the soil, 
but could not convey it, the reversion being reserved to the United States. But 
on the 30th day of January, 1834, by act of Congress, this reversionary right 
was relinquished, and the half-breeds acquired the lands in fee simple. This 
was no sooner done, than a horde of speculators rushed in to buy land of the 
half-breed owners, and, in many instances, a gun, a blanket, a pony or a few 
quarts of whisky was sufficient for the purchase of large estates. There was 
a deal of sharp practice on both sides ; Indians would often claim ownership of 
land by virtue of being half-breeds, and had no difficulty in proving their mixed 
blood by the Indians, and they Avould then cheat the speculators by selling land 
to which they had no rightful title. On the other hand, speculators often 
claimed land in which they had no ownership. It was diamond cut diamond, 
until at last things became badly mixed. There were no authorized surveys, 
and no boundary lines to claims, and, as a natural result, numerous conflicts and 
quarrels ensued. 

To settle these difficulties, to decide the validity of claims or sell them for 
the benefit of the real owners, by act of the Legislature of Wisconsin Territory, 
approved January 16, 1838, Edward Johnstone, Thomas S. Wilson and David 
Brigham were appointed Commissioners, and clothed with power to effect these 
objects. The act provided that these Commissioners should be paid six dollars 
a day each. The commission entei'ed upon its duties and continued until the 
next session of the Legislature, when the act creating it was repealed, invalidat- 
ing all that had been done and depriving the Commissioners of their pay. The 
repealing act, however, authorized the Commissioners to commence action against 
the owners of the Half-Breed Tract, to receive pay for their services, in the Dis- 
trict Court of Lee County. Two judgments were obtained, and on execution 
the whole of the tract was sold to Hugh T. Reid, the Sheriff executing the 
deed. Mr. Reid sold portions of it to various parties, but his own title was 
questioned and he became involved in litigation. Decisions in favor of Reid 



44 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

and those holding under him were made by both District and Supreme Courts, 
but in December, 1850, these decisions were finally reversed by the Supreme 
Court of the United States in the case of Joseph Webster, plaintiiF in error, vs. 
Hugh T. Reid, and the judgment titles failed. About nine years before the 
"judgment titles " were finally abrogated as above, another class of titles were 
brought into competition with them, and in the conflict between the two, the 
final decision was obtained. These were the titles based on the " decree of 
partition " issued by the United States District Court for the Territory of Iowa, 
on the 8th of May, 1841, and certified to by the Clerk on the 2d day of June of 
that year. Edward Johnstone and Hugh T. Reid, then law partners at Fort 
Madison, filed the petition for the decree in behalf of the St. Louis claimants of 
half-breed lands. Francis S. Key, author of the Star Spangled Banner, who 
was then attorney for the New York Land Company, which held heavy interests 
in these lands, took a leading part in the measure, and drew up the document in 
which it was presented to the court. Judge Charles Mason, of Burlington, pre- 
sided. The plan of partition divided the tract into one hundred and one shares 
and arranged that each claimant should draw his proportion by lot, and should 
abide the result, whatever it might be. The arrangement was entered into, the 
lots drawn, and the plat of the same filed in the Recorder's ofiice, October 6, 
1.841. Upon this basis the titles to land in the Half-Breed Tract are now held. 



EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 

The first permanent settlement by the whites within the limits of Iowa was 
made by Julien Dubuque, in 1788, when, with a small party of miners, he set- 
tled on the site of the city that now bears his name, where he lived until his 
death, in 1810. Louis Honori settled on the site of the present town of Mon- 
trose, probably in 1799, and resided there until 1805, when his property passed 
into other hands. Of the Giard settlement, opposite Prairie du Chien, little is 
known, except that it was occupied by some parties prior to the commencement 
of the present century, and contained three cabins in 1805. Indian traders, 
although not strictly to be considered settlers, had established themselves at 
various points at an early date. A Mr. Johnson, agent of the American Fur 
Company, had a trading post below Burlington, where he carried on trafiic with 
the Indians some time before the United States possessed the country. In 
1820, Le Moliese, a French trader, had a station at what is now Sandusky, six 
miles above Keokuk, in Lee County. In 1829, Dr. Isaac Gallaud made a set- 
tlement on the Lower Rapids, at what is now Nashville. 

The first settlement in Lee County was made in 1820, by Dr. Samuel C. 
Muir, a surgeon in the United States army, who had been stationed at Fort 
Edwards, now Warsaw, 111., and who built a cabin where the city of Keokuk 
now stands. Dr. Muir was a man of strict integrity and irreproachable char- 
acter. While stationed at a military post on the Upper Mississippi, he had 
married an Indian woman of the Fox nation. Of his marriage, the following 
romantic account is given : 

The post at which he was stationed was visiterl by a beautiful Indian maiden — whose native 
name, unfortunately, has not been preserved — who, in her dreams, had seen a white brave un- 
moor his canoe, paddle it across the river and come directly to her lodge. . She felt assured, 
according to the superstitious belief of her race, that, in her dreams, she had seen her future 
husband, and had come to the fort to find him. Meeting Dr. Muir, she instantly recognized 
him as the hero of her dream, which, with childlike innocence and simplicity, she related to 
him. Her dream was, indeed, prophetic. Charmed with Sophia's beauty, innocence and devo- 
tion, the doctor honorably married her ; but after a while, the sneers and gibes of his brother 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 45 

officers — less honorable than he, perhaps — made him feel ashamed of his dark-skinned wife, and 
when his regiment was ordered down the river, to Bellefontaine, it is said he embraced the 
opportunity to rid liimself of her, and left her, never expecting to see her again, and little 
dreaming that she would have the courage to follow him. But, with her infant child, this in- 
trepid wife and mother started alone in her canoe, and, after many days of weary labor and a 
lonely Journey of nine hundred miles, she, at last, reached him. She afterward remarked, when 
speaking of this toilsome journey down the river in search of her husband, " When I got there 
I was all perished away — so thin ! " The doctor, touched by such unexampled devotion, took her 
to his heart, and ever after, until his death, treated her with marked respect. She always pre- 
sided at his table with grace and dignity, but never abandoned her native style of dress. In. 
1819-20, he was stationed at Fort Edward, but the senseless ridicule of some of his brother 
officers on account of his Indian wife induced him to resign his commission. 

After building his cabin, as above stated, he leased his claim for a term of years to Otis 
Reynolds and John Culver, of St. Louis, and went to La Pointe, afterward Galena, where he 
practiced his profession for ten years, when he returned to Keokuk. His Indian wife bore to 
him four children — Louise (married at Keokuk, since dead), James, (drowned at Keokuk), Mary 
and Sophia. Dr. Muir died suddenly of cholera, in 1832, but left his property in such condition 
that it was soon wasted in vexatious litigation, and his brave and faithful wife, left friendless and 
penniless, became discouraged, and, with her children, disappeared, and, it is said, returned to 
her people on the Upper Missouri. 

Messrs. Reynolds & Culver, who had leased Dr. Muir's claim at Keokuk, 
subsequently employed as their agent Mr. Moses Stillwell, who arrived with 
his family in 1828, and took possession of Muir's cabin. His brothers-in-law, 
Amos and Valencourt Van Ansdal, came with him and settled near. 

His daughter, Margaret Stillwell (afterward Mrs. Ford) was born in 1831, 
at the foot of the rapids, called by the Indians Puch-a-she-tuck, where Keokuk 
now stands. She was probably the first white American child born in Iowa. 

In 1831, Mr. Johnson, Agent of the American Fur Company, who had a 
station at the foot of the rapids, removed to another location, and. Dr. Muir 
having returned from Galena, he and Isaac R. Campbell took the place and 
buildings vacated by the Company and carried on trade with the Indians and 
half-breeds. Campbell, who had first visited and traveled through the southern 
part of loAva, in 1821, was an enterprising settler, and besides trading with the 
natives carried on a farm and kept a tavern. 

Dr. Muir died of cholera in 1832. 
; In 1830, James L. and Lucius H. Langworthy, brothers and natives of 
Vermont, visited the Territory for the purpose of working the lead mines at Du- 
buque. They had been engaged in lead mining at Galena, Illinois, the former 
from as early as 1824. The lead mines in the Dubuque region were an object 
of great interest to the miners about Galena, for they were known to be rich in 
lead ore. To explore these mines and to obtain permission to work them was 
therefore eminently desirable. 

In 1829, James L. Langworthy resolved to visit the Dubuque mines. Cross- 
ing the Mississippi at a point now known as Dunleith, in a canoe, and swim- 
ming his horse by his side, he landed on the spot now known as Jones Street 
Levee. Before him spread out a beautiful prairie, on which the city of Du- 
buque now stands. Two miles south, at the mouth of Catfish Creek, was a vil- 
lage of Sacs and Foxes. Thither Mr. Langworthy proceeded, and was well re- 
ceived by the natives. He endeavored to obtain permission from them to mine 
in their hills, but this they refused. He, however, succeeded in gaining the con- 
fidence of the chief to such an extent as to be allowed to travel in the interior 
for three weeks and explore the country. He employed two young Indians as 
guides, and traversed in different directions the whole region lying between the 
Maquoketa and Turkey Rivers. He returned to the village, secured the good 
will of the Indians, and, returning to Galena, formed plans for future opera- 
tions, to be executed as soon as circumstances would permit. 



46 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

In 1830, with his brother, Lucius H., and others, having obtained the con- 
sent of the Indians, Mr. Langworthy crossed the Mississippi and commenced 
mining in the vicinity around Dubuque. 

At this time, the lands were not in the actual possession of the United States. 
Although they had been purchased from France, the Indian title had not been 
extinguished, and these adventurous persons were beyond the limits of any State 
or Territorial government. The first settlers were therefore obliged to be their 
own law-makers, and to agree to such regulations as the exigencies of the case 
demanded. The first act resembling civil legislation within the limits of the 
present State of Iowa was done by the miners at this point, in June, 1880. They 
met on the bank of the river, by the side of an old Cottonwood drift log, at 
what is now the Jones Street Levee, Dubuque, and elected a Committee, con- 
sisting of J. L. Langworthy, II. F. Lander, James McPhetres, Samuel Scales, 
and E. M. Wren. This may be called the first Legislature in Iowa, the mem- 
bers of which gathered around that old cottonwood log, and agreed to and re- 
ported the following, written by Mr. Langworthy, on a half-sheet of coarse, un- 
ruled paper, the old log being the writing desk : 

We, a Committee having been chosen to draft certain rules and regulations (laws) by 
which we as miners will be governecl, ami having duly considered the subject, do unanimously 
agree that we will be governed by the regulations on the east side of the Mississippi River,* with 
tlie following exceptions, to wit : 

Article I. That each and every man shall hold 200 yards square of ground by working 
said ground one day in six. 

Article IT. We further agree that there shall be chosen, by the majority of the miners 
present, a person who shall hold this article, and who shall grant letters of arbitration on appli- 
cation having been made, and that said letters of arbitration shall be obligatory on the parties so 
applying. 

The report was accepted by the miners present, who elected Dr. Jarote, in 
accordance with Article 2. Here, then, we have, in 1830, a primitive Legisla- 
ture elected by the people, the law drafted by it being submitted to the people 
for approval, and under it Dr. Jarote was elected first Governor within the 
limits of the present State of Iowa. And it is to be said that the laws thus 
enacted were as promptly obeyed, and the acts of the executive officer thus 
elected as duly respected, as any have been since. 

The miners who had thus erected an independent government of their own 
on the west side of the Mississippi River continued to work successfully for a 
long time, and the new settlement attracted considerable attention. But the 
west side of the Mississippi belonged to the Sac and Fox Indians, and the Gov- 
ernment, in order to preserve peace on the frontier, as well as to protect the 
Indians in their rights under the treaty, ordered the settlers not only to stop 
mining, but to remove from the Indian territory. They were simply intruders. 
The execution of this order Avas entrusted to Col. Zachary Taylor, then in com- 
mand of the military post at Prairie du Chien, who, early in July, sent an officer 
to the miners with orders to forbid settlement, and to command the miners to 
remove within ten days to the east side of the Mississippi, or they would be 
driven off by armed force. The miners, however, were reluctant about leaving 
the rich '•'leads" they had already discovered and opened, and Avere not dis- 
posed to obey the order to remove with any considerable degree of alacrity. In 
due time, Col. Taylor dispatched a detachment of troops to enforce his order. The 
miners, anticipating their arrival, had, excepting three, recrossed the river, and 
from the east bank saw the troops land on the western shore. The three who 
had lingered a little too long were, however, permitted to make their escape 

* Established by the Superintendent of U. S. Lead Mines at Fever River. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 



47 



unmolested. From this time, a military force was stationed at Dubuque to 
prevent the settlers from returning, until June, 1832. The Indians returned, 
and were encouaged to operate the rich mines opened by the late Avhite 
occupants. 

In June, 1832, the troops were ordered to the east side to assist in the 
annihilation of the very Indians whose rights they had been protecting on the 
west side. Immediately after the close of the Black Hawk war, and the negotia- 
tions of the treaty in September, 1832, by which the Sacs and Foxes ceded to 
the United States the tract known as the "Black Hawk Purchase," the set- 
tlers, supposing that now they had a right to re-enter the territory, returned 
and took possession of their claims, built cabins, erected furnaces and prepared 
large quantities of lead for market. Dubuque was becoming a noted place on 
the river, but the prospects of the hardy and enterprising settlers and miners 
were again ruthlessly interfered with by the Government, on the ground that 
the treaty with the Indians would not go into force until June 1, 1833, although 
they had withdrawn from the vicinity of the settlement. Col. Taylor was again 
ordered by the War Department to remove the miners, and in January, 1833, 
troops were again sent from Prairie du Chien to Dubuque for that purpose. 
This was a serious and perhaps unnecessary hardship imposed upon the settlers. 
They were compelled to abandon their cabins and homes in mid-winter. It 
must now be said, simply, that " red tape" should be respected. The purchase 
had been made, the treaty ratified, or was sure to be ; the Indians had retired, 
and, after the lapse of nearly fifty years, no very satisfactory reason for this 
rigorous action of the Government can be given. 

But the orders had been given, and there was no alternative but to obey. 
Many of the settlers recrossed the river, and did not return ; a few, however, 
removed to an island near the east bank of the river, built rude cabins of poles, 
in which to store their lead until Spring, when they could* float the fruits of 
their labor to St. Louis for sale, and where they could remain until the treaty 
went into force, when they could return. Among these were James L. Lang- 
worthy, and his brother Lucius, who had on hand about three hundred thousand 
pounds of lead. 

Lieut. Covington, who had been placed in command at Dubuque by Col. 
Taylor, ordered some of the cabins of the settlers to be torn down, and wagons 
and other property to be destroyed. This wanton and inexcusable action on 
the part of a subordinate clothed with a little brief authority was sternly 
rebuked by Col. Taylor, and Covington was superseded by Lieut. George Wil- 
son, who pursued a just and friendly course with the pioneers, who were only 
waiting for the time when they could repossess their claims. 

June 1, 1833, the treaty formally went into effect, the troops were withdrawn, 
and the Langworthy brothers and a few others at once returned and resumed 
possession of their home claims and mineral prospects, and from this time the 
first permanent settlement of this portion of Iowa must date. Mr. John P. 
Sheldon was appointed Superintendent of the mines by the Government, and a 
system of permits to miners and licenses to smelters was adopted, similar to that 
which had been in operation at Galena, since 1825, under Lieut. Martin Thomas 
and Capt. Thomas C. Legate. Substantially the primitive law enacted by the 
miners assembled around that old cottonwood drift log in 1830 was adopted and 
enforced by the United States Government, except that miners were required to 
sell their mineral to licensed smelters and the smelter was required to give bonds 
for the payment of six per cent, of all lead manufactured to the Government. 
This was the same rule adopted in the United States mines on Fever River in 



48 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

Illinois, except that, until 1830, the Illinois miners were compelled to pay 10 
per cent. tax. This tax upon the miners created much dissatisfaction among 
the miners on the west side as it had on the east side of the Mississippi. They 
thought they had suffered hardships and privations enough in opening the way 
for civilization, without being subjected to the imposition of an odious Govern- 
ment tax upon their means of subsistence, when the Federal Government could 
better afford to aid than to extort from them. The measure soon became unpop- 
ular. It was difficult to collect the taxes, and the whole system Avas abolished 
in about ten years. 

During 1833, after the Indian title was fully extinguished, about five hun- 
dred people arrived at the mining district, about one hundred and fifty of them 
from Galena. 

In tlie same year, Mr. Langworthy assisted in building the first school house 
in Iowa, and thus was formed the nucleus of the now populous and thriving 
City of Dubuque. Mr. Langworthy lived to see the naked prairie on which he 
first landed become the site of a city of fifteen thousand inhabitants, the small 
school house which he aided in constructing replaced by three substantial edifices, 
wherein two thousand children were being trained, churches erected in every 
part of the city, and railroads connecting the wilderness which he first explored 
with all the eastern world. He died suddenly on the 13th of March, 1865, 
while on a trip over the Dubuque & Southwestern Railroad, at Monticello, 
and the evening train brought the news of his death and his remains. 

Lucius H. Langworthy, his brother, was one of the most worthy, gifted and 
influential of the old settlers of this section of Iowa. He died, greatly lamented 
by many friends, in June, 1865. 

The name Dubuque was given to the settlement by the miners at a meeting 
held in 1834. 

In 1832, Captain James White made a claim on the present site of Montrose. 
In 1834, a military post was established at this point, and a garrison of cavalry 
was stationed here, under the command of Col. Stephen W. Kearney. The 
soldiers were removed from this post to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1837. 

During the same year, 1832, soon after the close of the Black Hawk War, 
Zachariah Hawkins, Benjamin Jennings, Aaron White, Augustine Horton, 
Samuel Gooch, Daniel Thompson and Peter Williams made claims at Fort 
Madison. In 1833, these claims were purchased by John and Nathaniel 
Knapp, upon which, in 1835, they laid out the town. The next Summer, lots 
were sold. The town was subsequently re-surveyed and platted by the United 
States Government. 

At the close of the Black Hawk War, parties who had been impatiently 
looking across upon "Flint Hills," now Burlington, came over from Illinois 
and made claims. The first was Samuel S. White, in the Fall of 1832, who 
erected a cabin on the site of the city of Burlington. About the same time, 
David Tothero made a claim on the prairie about three miles back from the 
river, at a place since known as the farm of Judge Morgan. In the Winter of 
that year, they were driven off by the military from Rock Island, as intruders 
upon the rights of the Indians, and White's cabin was burnt by the soldiers. 
He retired to Illinois, where he spent the Winter, and in the Summer, as soon 
as the Indian title was extinguished, returned and rebuilt his cabin. White 
was joined by his brother-in-law, Doolittle, and they laid out the original town 
of Burlington in 1834. 

All along the river borders of the Black Hawk Purchase settlers were flocking 
into Iowa. Immediately after the treaty with the Sacs and Foxes, in Septem- 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. ^9 

ber, 1832, Col. George Davenport made the first claim on the spot where the 
thriving city of Davenport now stands. As early as 1827, Col. Davenport had 
established a flatboat ferry, which ran between the island and the main shore of 
Iowa, by which he carried on a trade with the Indians west of the Mississippi. 
In 1833, Capt. Benjamin W. Clark moved across from Illinois, and laid the 
foundation of the town of Buffalo, in Scott County, which was the first actual 
settlement within the limits of that county. Among other early settlers in this 
part of the Territory were Adrian H. Davenport, Col. John Sullivan, Mulli- 
gan and Franklin Easly, Capt. John Coleman, J. M. Camp, William White, 
H. W. Higgins, Cornelius Harrold, Richard Harrison, E. H. Shepherd and 
Dr. E. S. Barrows. 

The first settlers of Davenport were Antoine LeClaire, Col. George Daven- 
port, Major Thomas Smith, Major William Gordon, Philip Hambough, Alexan- 
der W. McGregor, Levi S. Colton, Capt. James May and others. Of Antoine 
LeClaire, as the representative of the two races of men who at this time occu- 
pied Iowa, Hon. C. C. Nourse, in his admirable Centennial Address, says : 
" Antoine LeClaire was born at St. Joseph, Michigan, in 1797. His father 
was French, his mother a granddaughter of a Pottowatomie chief. In 1818, 
he acted as official interpreter to Col. Davenport, at Fort Armstrong (now Rock 
Island). He was well acquainted with a dozen Indian dialects, and was a man 
of strict integrity and great energy. In 1820, he married the granddaughter 
of a Sac chief. The Sac and Fox Indians reserved for him and his wife two 
sections of land in the treaty of 1833, one at the town of LeClaire and one at 
Davenport. The Pottawatomies, in the treaty at Prairie du Chien, also 
reserved for him two sections of land, at the present site of Moline, 111. He 
received the appointment of Postmaster and Justice of the Peace in the Black 
Hawk Purchase, at an early day. In 1833, he bought for $100 a claim on the 
Jand upon which the original town of Davenport was surveyed and platted in 
1836. In 1836, LeClaire built the hotel, known since, with its valuable addi- 
tion, as the LeClaire House. He died September 25, 1861." 

In Clayton County, the first settlement was made in the Spring of 1832, 
on Turkey River, by Robert Hatfield and William W. Wayman. No further 
settlement was made in this part of the State till the beginning of 1836. 

In that portion now known as Muscatine County, settlements were made in 
1834, by Benjamin Nye, John Vanater and G. W. Kasey, who were the first 
settlers. E. E. Fay, William St. John, N. Fullington, H. Reece, Jona Petti- 
bone, R. P. Lowe, Stephen Whicher, Abijah Whiting, J. E. Fletcher, W. D. 
Abernethy and Alexis Smith were early settlers of Muscatine. 

During the Summer of 1835, William Bennett and his family, from Galena, 
built the first cabin within the present limits of Delaware County, in some 
timber since known as Eads' Grove. 

The first post office in Iowa was established at Dubuque in 1833. Milo H. 
Prentice was appointed Postmaster. 

The first Justice of the Peace was Antoine Le Claire, appointed in 1833, as 
" a very suitable person to adjust the difficulties between the white settlers and 
the Indians still remaining there." 

The first Methodist Society in the Territory was formed at Dubuque on 
the 18th of May, 1834, and the first class meeting Avas held June 1st of that 
year. 

The first church bell brought into Iowa was in March, 1834. 

The first mass of the Roman Catholic Church in the Territory was celebrated 
at Dubuque, in the house of Patrick Quigley, in the Fall of 1833. 
4 



50 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

The first school house in the Territory was erected by the Dubuque miners 
in 1833. 

The first Sabbath school was organized at Dubuque early in the Summer 
of 1834. 

The first woman who came to this part of the Territory with a view to per- 
manent residence was Mrs. Noble F. Dean, in the Fall of 1832. 

The first family that lived in this part of Iowa was that of Hosea T. Camp, 
in 1832. 

The first meeting house was built by the Methodist Episcopal Church, at 
Dubuque, in 1834. 

The first newspaper in Iowa was the Dubuque Visitor, issued May 11th, 1836. 
John King, afterward Judge King, was editor, and William C. Jones, printer. 

The pioneers of Iowa, as a class, were brave, hardy, intelligent and 
enterprising people. 

As early as 1824, a French trader named Hart had established a trading 
post, and built a cabin on the bluffs above the large spring now known as 
"Mynster Spring," within the limits of the present city of Council Bluffs, and 
had probably been there some time, as the post was known to the employes of 
the American Fur Company as Lacote de Hart, or " Hart's Blufi"." In 1827, 
an agent of the American Fur Company, Francis Guittar, with others, encamped 
in the timber at the foot of the blufis, about on the present location of Broad- 
way, and afterward settled there. In 1839, a block house was built on the 
bluff in the east part of the city. The Pottawatomie Indians occupied this part 
of the State until 1846-7, when they relinquished the territory and removed to 
Kansas. Billy Caldwell was then principal chief. There were no white settlers 
in that part of the State except Indian traders, until the arrival of the Mormons 
under the lead of Brigham Young. These people on their way westward halted 
for the Winter of 1846-7 on the west bank of the Missouri River, about five 
miles above Omaha, at a place now called Florence. Some of them had 
reached the eastern bank of the river the Spring before, in season to plant a 
crop. In the Spring of 1847, Young and a portion of the colony pursued their 
journey to Salt Lake, but a large portion of them returned to the Iowa side and 
settled mainly within the limits of Pottawattamie County. The principal settle- 
ment of this strange community was at a place first called "Miller's Hollow," 
on Indian Creek, and afterward named Kanesville, in honor of Col. Kane, of 
Pennsylvania, who visited them soon afterward. The Mormon settlement 
extended over the county and into neighboring counties, wherever timber and 
water furnished desirable locations. Orson Hyde, priest, lawyer and editor, was 
installed as President of the Quorum of Twelve, and all that part of the State 
remained under Mormon control for several years. In 1846, they raised a bat- 
talion, numbering some five hundred men, for the Mexican war. In 1848, Hyde 
started a paper called the Frontier Guardian, at Kanesville. In 1849, after 
many of the faithful had left to join Brigham Young at Salt Lake, the Mormons 
in this section of Iowa numbered 6,552, and in 1850, 7,828, but they were not 
all within the limits of Pottawattamie County. This county was organized in 
1848, all the first officials being Mormons. In 1852, the order was promulgated 
that all the true believers should gather together at Salt Lake. .Gentiles flocked 
in, and in a few years nearly all the first settlers were gone. 

May 9, 1843, Captain James Allen, with a small detachment of troops on 
board tlie steamer lone, arrived at the present site of the capital of the State, 
Des Moines. The lone was the first steamer to ascend the Des Moines River 
to this point. The troops and stores were landed at what is now the foot of 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 51 

Court avenue, Des Moines, and Capt. Allen returned in the steamer to Fort 
Sanford to arrange for bringing up more soldiers and supplies. In due time 
they, too, arrived, and a fort was built near the mouth of Raccoon Fork, at its 
confluence with the Des Moines, and named Fort Des Moines. Soon after the 
arrival of the troops, a trading post was established on the east side of the river, 
by two noted Indian traders named Ewing, from Ohio. 

Among the first settlers in this part of Iowa were Benjamin Bryant, J. B. 
Scott, James Drake (gunsmith), John Sturtevant, Robert Kinzie, Alexander 
Turner, Peter Newcomer, and others. 

The Western States have been settled by many of the best and most enter- 
prising men of the older States, and a large immigration of the best blood of 
the Old World, who, removing to an arena of larger opportunities, in a more 
fertile soil and congenial climate, have developed a spirit and an energy 
peculiarly Western. In no country on the globe have enterprises of all kinds 
been pushed forward with such rapidity, or has there been such independence 
and freedom of competition. Among those who have pioneered the civiliza- 
tion of the West, and been the founders of great States, none have ranked 
higher in the scale of intelligence and moral worth than the pioneers of Iowa, 
who came to the territory when it was an Indian country, and through hardship, 
privation and suifering,«laid the foundations of the populous and prosperous 
commonwealth which to-day dispenses its blessings to a million and a quarter 
of people. From her first settlement and from her first organization as a terri- 
tory to the present day, Iowa has had able men to manage her affairs, wise 
statesmen to shape her destiny and frame her laws, and intelligent and impartial 
jurists to administer justice to her citizens ; her bar, pulpit and press have been 
able and widely influential ; and in all the professions, arts, enterprises and 
industries which go to make up a great and prosperous commonwealth, she has 
taken and holds a front rank among her sister States of the West. 



TERRITORIAL HISTORY. 

By act of Congress, approved October 31, 1803, the President of the United 
States was authorized to take possession of the territory included in the 
Louisiana purchase, and provide for a temporary government. By another act 
of the same session, approved March 26, 180-1, the newly acquired country was 
divided, October 1, 1804 into the Territory of Orleans, south of the thirty-third 
parallel of north latitude, and the district of Louisiana, which latter was placed 
under the authority of the officers of Indiana Territory. 

In 1805, the District of Louisiana was organized as a Territory with a go-i- 
ernment of its own. In 1807, Iowa w^as included in the Territory of Illinois, 
and in 1812 in the Territory of Missouri. When Missouri was admitted as a 
State, March 2, 1821, " Iowa," says Hon. C. C. Nourse, "was left a political 
orphan," until by act of Congress, approved June 28, 1834, the Black Hawk 
purchase having been made, all the territory west of the Mississippi and north 
of the northern boundary of Missouri, was made a part of Michigan Territory. 
Up to this time.there had been no county or other organization in what is now 
the State of Iowa, although one or two Justices of the Peace had been appointed 
and a post office was established at Dubuque in 1833. In September, 1834, 
however, the Territorial Legislature of Michigan created two counties on the 
west side of the Mississippi River, viz. : Dubuque and Des Moines, separated 
by a line drawn westward from the foot of Rock Island. These counties were 



52 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

partially organized. John King was appointed Chief Justice of Dubuque 
County, and Isaac Leffler, of Burlington, of Des Moines County. Two 
Associate Justices, in each county, were appointed by the Governor. 

On the first Monday in October, 1835, Gen. George W. Jones, now a citi- 
zen of Dubuque, was elected a Delegate to Congress from this part of Michigan 
Territory. On the 20th of April, 1836, through the efforts of Gen. Jones, 
Congress passed a bill creating the Territory of Wisconsin, which went into 
operation, July 4, 1836, and Iowa was then included in 

THE TERRITORY OF WISCONSIN, 

of which Gen. Henry Dodge was appointed Governor; John S. Horner, Secre- 
tary of the Territory ; Charles Dunn, Chief Justice ; David Irwin and William 
C. Frazer, Associate Justices. 

September 9, 1836, Governor Dodge ordered the census of the new Territory 
to be taken. This census resulted in showing a population of 10,531 in the 
counties of Dubuque and Des Moines. Under the apportionment, these two 
counties were entitled to six members of the Council and thirteen of the House 
of Representatives. The Governor issued his proclamation for an election to be 
held on the first Monday of October, 1836, on which day the following members 
of the First Territorial Legislature of Wisconsin weue elected from the two 
counties in the Black Hawk purchase : 

Duhuque County. — Council: John Fally, Thomas McKnight, Thomas Mc- 
Craney. House : Loring Wheeler, Hardin Nowlan, Peter Hill Engle, Patrick 
Quigley, Hosea T. Camp. 

Des Moines County. — Council: Jeremiah Smith, Jr., Joseph B. Teas, 
Arthur B. Ingram. House: Isaac Lefiler, Thomas Blair, Warren L. Jenkins, 
John Box, George W. Teas, Eli Reynolds, David R. Chance. 

The first Legislature assembled at Belmont, in the present State of Wiscon- 
sin, on the 25th day of October, 1836, and was organized by electing Henry T. 
Baird President of the Council, and Peter Hill Engle, of Dubuque, Speaker of 
the House. It adjourned December 9, 1836. 

The second Legislature assembled at Burlington, November 10, 1837. 
Adjourned January 20, 1838. The third session was at Burlington; com- 
menced June 1st, and adjourned June 12, 1838, 

During the first session of the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature, in 1836, 
the county of Des Moines was divided into Des Moines, Lee, Van Buren, Henry, 
Muscatine and Cook (the latter being subsequently changed to Scott) and defined 
their boundaries. During the second session, out of the territory embraced in 
Dubuque County, were created the counties of Dubuque, Clayton, Fayette, 
Delaware, Buchanan, Jackson, Jones, Linn, Clinton and Cedar, and their boun- 
daries defined, but the most of them were not organized until several years 
afterward, under the authority of the Territorial Legislature of Iowa. 

The question of a separate territorial organization for Iowa, which was then 
a part of Wisconsin Territory, began to be agitated early in the Autumn of 
1837. The wishes of the people found expression in a convention held at Bur- 
lington on the 1st of November, which memorialized Congress to organize a 
Territory west of the Mississippi, and to settle the boundary line between Wis- 
consin Territory and Missouri. The Territorial Legislature of Wisconsin, then 
in session at Burlington, joined in the petition. Gen. George W. Jones, of 
Dubuque, then residing at Sinsinawa Mound, in what is now Wisconsin, was 
Delegate to Congress from Wisconsin Territory, and labored so earnestly and 
successfully, that " An act to divide the Territory of Wisconsin, and to estab- 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 53 

lish the Territorial Government of Iowa," was approved June 12, 1838, to take 
eft'ect and be in force on and after July 3, 1838. The new Territory embraced 
"all that part of the present Territory of Wisconsin which lies west of the Mis- 
sissippi River, and west of a line drawn due north from the head water or 
sources of the Mississippi to the territorial line." The organic act provided 
for a Governor, whose term of office should be three years, and for a Secretary, 
Chief Justice, two Associate Justices, and Attorney and Marshal, who should 
serve four years, to be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and 
consent of the Senate. The act also provided for the election, by the white 
male inhabitants, citizens of the United States, over twenty-one years of age, 
of a House of Representatives, consisting of twenty-six members, and a Council, 
to consist of thirteen members. It also appropriated $5,000 for a public library, 
and $20,000 for the erection of public buildings. 

President Van Buren appointed Ex-Governor Robert Lucas, of Ohio, to be 
the first Governor of the new Territory. William B. Conway, of Pittsburgh, 
was appointed Secretary of the Territory ; Charles Mason, of Burlington, 
Chief Justice, and Thomas S. Wilson, of Dubuque, and Joseph Williams, of 
Pennsylvania, Associate Judges of the Supreme and District Courts ; Mr. Van. 
Allen, of New York, Attorney; Francis Gehon, of Dubuque, Marshal; Au- 
gustus C. Dodge, Register of the Land Office at Burlington, and Thomas Mc- 
Knight, Receiver of the Land Office at Dubuque. Mr. Van Allen, the District 
Attorney, died at Rockingham, soon after his appointment, and Col. Charlea 
Weston was appointed to fill his vacancy. Mr. Conway, the Secretary, also 
died at Burlington, during the second session of the Legislature, and Jametj 
Clarke, editor of the Gazette, was appointed to succeed him. 

Immediately after his arrival. Governor Lucas issued a proclamation for the 
election of members of the first Territorial Legislature, to be held on the lOtb 
of September, dividing the Territory into election districts for that purpose, and 
appointing the 12th day of November for meeting of the Legislature to be 
elected, at Burlington. 

The first Territorial Legislature was elected in September and assembled at 
Burlington on the 12th of November, and consisted of the following members ; 

Council. — Jesse B. Bro^n, J. Keith, E. A. M. Swazey, Arthur Ingram, 
Robert Ralston, George Hepner, Jesse J. Payne, D. B. Hughes, James M. 
Clark, Charles Whittlesey, Jonathan W. Parker, Warner Lewis, Stephen 
Hempstead. 

House. — William Patterson, Hawkins Taylor, Calvin J. Price, James 
Brierly, James Hall, Gideon S. Bailey, Samuel Parker, James W. Grimes, 
George Temple, Van B. Delashmutt, Thomas Blair, George H. Beeler,* 
William G. Coop, William H. Wallace, Asbury B. Porter, John Frierson, 
William L. Toole, Levi Thornton, S. C. Hastings, Robert G. Roberts, Laurel 
Summers, t Jabez A. Burchard, Jr., Chauncey Swan, Andrew Bankson, Thomas 
Cox and Hardin Nowlin. 

Notwithstanding a large majority of the members of both branches of the 
Legislature were Democrats, yet Gen. Jesse B. Browne (Whig), of Lee County, 
was elected President of the Council, and Hon. William H. Wallace (Whig), of 
Henry County, Speaker of the House of Representatives — the former unani- 
mously and the latter with but little opposition. At that time, national politics 

* Cyras S. Jacobs, who was elected for Des Moines County, was killed in an unfortunate encounter at Burlington 
before the meeting of the Legislature, and Mr. Beeler was elected to fill the vacancy. 

f Samuel K. Murray was returned aa elected from Clinton County, but his ee&t was successfully contested by 
Burchard. 



.54 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

■were little heeded by the people of the new Territory, but in 1840, during the 
Presidential campaign, party lines were strongly drawn. 

At the election in September, 1838, for members of the Legislature, a Con- 
gressional Delegate was also elected. There were four candidates, viz. : William 
W. Chapman and David Rohrer, of Des Moines County ; B. F. Wallace, of 
Henry County, and P. H. Engle, of Dubuque County. Chapman was elected, 
receiving a majority of thirty-six over Engle. 

The first session of the Iowa Territorial Legislature was a stormy and excit- 
ing one. By the organic law, the Governor was clothed with almost unlimited 
veto power. Governor Lucas seemed disposed to make free use of it, and the 
independent Hawkeyes could not quietly submit to arbitrary and absolute rule, 
and the result was an unpleasant controversy between the Executive and Legis- 
lative departments. Congress, however, by act approved March 3, 1889, 
amended the organic law by restricting the veto power of the Governor to the 
two-thirds rule, and took from him the power to appoint Sherifla and Magistrates. 

Among the first important matters demanding attention was the location of 
the seat of government and provision for the erection of public buildings, for 
which Congress had appropriated $20,000. Governor Lucas, in his message, 
had recommended the appointment of Commissioners, with a view to making a 
central location. The extent of the future State of Iowa was not known or 
thought of. Only on a strip of land fifty miles wide, bordering on the Missis- 
sippi River, was the Indian title extinguished, and a central location meant some 
central point in the Black Hawk Purchase. The friends of a central location 
supported the Governor's suggestion. The southern members were divided 
between Burlington and Mount Pleasant, but finally united on the latter as the 
proper location for the seat of government. The central and southern parties 
were very nearly equal, and, in consequence, much excitement prevailed. The 
central party at last triumphed, and on the 21st day of January, 1839, an act 
was passed, appointing Chauncey Swan, of Dubuque County ; John Ronalds, 
of Louisa County, and Robert Ralston, of Des Moines County, Commissioners, 
to select a site for a permanent seat of Government within the limits of John- 
son County. 

Johnson County had been created by act of the Territorial Legislature of 
Wisconsin, approved December 21, 1837, and organized by act passed at the 
special session at Burlington in June, 1838, the organization to date from July 
4th, following. Napoleon, on the Iowa River, a few miles below the future 
Iowa City, was designated as the county seat, temporarily. 

Then there existed good reason for locating the capital in the county. The 
Territory of Iowa was bounded on the north by the British Possessions ; east, by 
the. Mississippi River to its source; thence by a line drawn due north to the 
northern boundary of the United States; south, by the State of Missouri, and west, 
by the Missouri and White Earth Rivers. But this immense territory was in un- 
disputed possession of the Indians, except a strip on the Mississippi, known as 
the Black Hawk Purchase. Johnson County was, from north to south, in the 
geographical center of this purchase, and as near the east and west geographical 
center of the future State of Iowa as could then be made, as the boundary line 
between the lands of the United States and the Indians, established by the 
treaty of October 21, 1837, was immediately west of the county limits. 

Tlie Commissioners, after selecting the site, were directed to lay out 640 
acres into a town, to be called Iowa City, and to proceed to sell lots and erect 
public buildings thereon, Congress having granted a section of land to be 
selected by the Territory for this purpose. The Commissioners met at Napo- 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. ^55 

leon, Johnson County, May 1, 1839, selected for a site Section 10, in Town- 
ship 79 North of Range 6 West of the Fifth Principal Meridian, and immedi- 
ately surveyed it and laid off the town. The first sale of lots took place August 
16, 1839. The site selected for the public buildings was a little west of the 
geographical center of the section, where a square of ten acres on the elevated 
grounds overlooking the river was reserved for the purpose. The capitol is 
located in the center of this square. The second Territorial Legislature, which 
assembled in November, 1839, passed an act requiring the Commissioners to 
adopt such plan for the building that the aggregate cost when complete should 
not exceed $51,000, and if they had already adopted a plan involving a greater 
expenditure they were directed to abandon it. Plans for the building were designed 
and drawn by Mr. John F. Rague, of Springfield, 111., and on the 4th day of July, 
1840, the corner stone of the edifice was laid with appropriate ceremonies. 
Samuel C. Trowbridge was Marshal of the day, and Gov. Lucas delivered the 
address on that occasion. 

When the Legislature assembled at Burlington in special session, July 13, 
1840, Gov. Lucas announced that on the 4th of that month he had visited Iowa 
City, and found the basement of the capitol nearly completed. A bill author- 
izing a loan of $20,000 for the building was passed, January 15, 1841, the 
unsold lots of Iowa City being the security ofi"ered, but only $5,500 was 
obtained under the act. 

THE BOUNDARY QUESTION. 

The boundary line between the Territory of Iowa and the State of Missouri 
was adifiicult question to settle in 1838, in consequence of claims arising from 
taxes and titles, and at one time civil war was imminent. In defining the 
boundaries of the counties bordering on Missouri, the Iowa authorities had fixed 
a line that has since been established as the boundary between Iowa and Mis- 
souri. The Constitution of Missouri defined her northern boundary to be the 
parallel of latitude which passes through the rapids of the Des Moines River. 
The lower rapids of the Mississippi immediately above the mouth of the Des 
Moines River had always been known as the Des Moines Rapids, or "the 
rapids of the Des Moines River." The Missourians (evidently not well versed 
in history or geography) insisted on running the northern boundary line from 
the rapids in the Des Moines River, just below Keosauqua, thus taking from 
Iowa a strip of territory eight or ten miles wide. Assuming this as her 
northern boundary line, Missouri attempted to exercise jurisdiction over the 
disputed territory by assessing taxes, and sending her Sheriffs to collect them by 
distraining the personal property of the settlers. The lowans, however, were 
not disposed to submit, and the Missouri officials were arrested by the Sheriffs 
of Davis and Van Buren Counties and confined in jail. Gov. Boggs, of 
Missouri, called out his militia to enforce the claim and sustain the officers of 
Missouri. Gov. Lucas called out the militia of Iowa, and both parties made 
active preparations for war. In Iowa, about 1,200 men were enlisted, and 
500 were actually armed and encamped in Van Buren County, ready to defend 
the integrity of the Territory. Subsequently, Gen. A. C. Dodge, of Burlington, 
Gen. Churchman, gf Dubuque, and Dr. Clark, of Fort Madison, were sent to 
Missouri as envoys plenipotentiary, to effect, if possible, a peaceable adjustment 
of the difficulty. Upon their arrival, they found that the County Commissioners 
of Clarke County, Missouri, had rescinded their order for the collection of the taxes, 
and that Gov. Boggs had despatched messengers to the Governor of Iowa proposing 



J6 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

to submit an agreed case to the Supreme Court of the United States. for the 
final settlement of the boundary question. This proposition was declined, but 
afterward Congress authorized a suit to settle the controversy, which was insti- 
tuted, and which resulted in a judgment for Iowa. Under this decision, 
William G. Miner, of Missouri, and Henry B. Hendershott were appointed 
Commissioners to survey and establish the boundary. Mr. Nourse remarks 
that " the expenses of the war on the part of Iowa were never paid, either by 
the United States or the Territorial Government. The patriots who furnished 
supplies to the troops had to bear the cost and charges of the struggle." 

The first legislative assembly laid the broad foundation of civil equality, on 
which has been constructed one of the most liberal governments in the Union. 
Its first act was to recognize the equality of woman with man before the law by 
providing that " no action commenced by a single woman, who intermarries 
during the pendency thereof, shall abate on account of such marriage." This prin- 
ciple has been adopted by all subsequent legislation in Iowa, and to-day woman 
has full and equal civil rights with man, except only the right of the ballot. 

Religious toleration was also secured to all, personal liberty strictly guarded, 
the rights and privileges of citizenship extended to all white persons, and the 
purity of elections secured by heavy penalties against bribery and corruption. 
The judiciary power was vested in a Supreme Court, District Court, Probate 
Court, and Justices of the Peace. Real estate was made divisible by will, and 
intestate property divided equitably among heirs. Murder was made punishable 
by death, and proportionate penalties fixed for lesser crimes. A system of free 
schools, open for every class of white citizens, was established. Provision was 
made for a system of roads and highways. Thus under the territorial organi- 
zation, the country began to emerge from a savage wilderness, and take on the 
forms of civil government. 

By act of Congress of June 12, 1838, the lands which had been purchased 
of the Indians were brought into market, and land offices opened in Dubuque 
and Burlington. Congress provided for military roads and bridges, which 
greatly aided the settlers, who were now coming in by thousands, to make their 
homes on the fertile prairies of Iowa--" the Beautiful Land." The fame of the 
country had spread far and wide ; even before the Indian title was extinguished, 
many were crowding the borders, impatient to cross over and stake out their 
claims on the choicest spots they could find in the new Territory. As 
soon as the country Avas open for settlement, the borders, the Black Hawk 
Purchase, all along the Mississipi, and up the principal rivers and streams, and 
out over the broad and rolling prairies, began to be thronged with eager land 
hunters and immigrants, seeking homes in Iowa. It was a sight to delight the 
eyes of all comers from every land — its noble streams, beautiful and picturesque 
hills and valleys, broad and fertile prairies extending as far as the eye could 
reach, with a soil surpassing in richness anything which they had ever seen. It 
is not to be Avondcred at that immigration into Iowa was rapid, and that within 
less than a decade from the organization of the Territory, it contained a hundred 
and fifty thousand people. 

As rapidly as the Indian titles were extinguished and the original owners 
removed, the resistless tide of emigration flowed westward. The following extract 
from Judge Nourse's Centennial Address shows how the immigrants gathered 
on the Indian boundary, ready for the removal of the barrier : 

In obedience to our progressive and aggressive spirit, the Government of the United States 
made another treaty with the Sac and Fox Indians, on the 11th day of August, 1842, for the 
remaining portion of their ;and in Iowa. The treaty provided tnat the Indians should retain 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 57 

possession of all the lands thus ceded until May 1, 1843, and should occupy that portion of the 
ceded territory west of a line running; north and south through Redrock, until October 11, 1845. 
These tribes, at this time, had their principal village at Ot-tum-wa-no, now called Ottumwa. As 
soon as it became known that the treaty had been concluded, there was a rush of immigration to 
Iowa, and a great number of temporary settlements were made near tlie Indian boundary, wait- 
ing for the 1st day of May. As the day approached, hundreds of families encamped along the 
line, and their tents and wagons gave the scene the appearance of a military expedition. The 
country beyond had been thoroughly explored, but the United States military authorities had 
prevented any settlement or ev.en the making out of claims by any monuments whatever. 

To aid them in making out their claims when the hour should arrive, the settlers had placed 
piles of dry wood on the rising ground, at convenient distances, and a short time before twelve 
o'clock of the night of the oOth of April, these v/ere lighted, and when the midnight hour arrived, 
it was announced by the discharge of firearms. The night was dark, but this army of occupa- 
tion pressed forward, torch in hand, with axe and hatchet, blazing lines with all manner of 
curves and angles. When daylight came and revealed the confusion of these "wonderful surveys, 
numerous disputes arose, settled generally by compromise, but sometimes by violence. Between 
midnight of the 30th of April and sundown of the 1st of May, over one thousand families had 
settled on their new purchase. 

While this scene was transpiring, the retreating Indians were enacting one more impressive 
and melancholy. The Winter of 1842-48 was one of unusual severity, and the Indian prophet, 
who had disapproved of the treaty, attributed the severity of the Winter to the anger of the Great 
Spirit, because they had sold their country. Many religious rites were performed to atone for 
the crime. When the time for leaving Ot-tum-wa-no arrived, a solemn silence pervaded the Indian 
camp, and the faces of their stoutest men were bathed in tears ; and when their cavalcade was 
put in motion, toward the setting sun, there was a spontaneous outburst of frantic grief from the 
entire procession. ^ 

The Indians remained the appointed time beyond the line running north and south through 
Redrock. The government established a trading post and military encampment at the Raccoon 
Fork of the Des Moines Paver, then and for many years known as Fort Des Moines. Here the 
red man lingered until the 11th of October, 1845, when the same scene that we have before 
described was re-enacted, and the wave of immigration swept over the remainder of the " New 
Purchase." The lands thus occupied and claimed by the settlers still belonged in fee to the Gen- 
eral Government. The surveys were not completed until some time after the Indian title was 
extinguished. After their survey, the lands were publicly proclaimed or advertised for sale at 
public auction. Under the laws of the United States, a pre-emption or exclusive right to purchase 
public lands could net be acquired until after the lands had thus been publicly offered and not 
sold for want of bidders. Then, and not until then, an occupant making improvements in good 
faith might acquire a right over others to enter the land at the minimum price of $1.25 per 
acre. The " claim laws " were unknown to the United States statutes. They originated in the 
" eternal fitness of things," and were enforced, probably, as belonging to that class of natural 
rights not enumerated in the constitution, and not impaired or disparaged by its enumeration. 

The settlers organized in every settlement prior to the public land sales, appointed officers, 
and adopted their own rules and regulations. Each man's claim was duly ascertained and 
recorded by the Secretary. It was the duty of all to attend the sales. The Secretary bid off the 
lands of each settler at $1.25 per acre. The others were there, to see, first, that he did his duty 
and bid in the land, and, secondly, to see that no one else bid. This, of course, sometimes led to 
trouble, but it saved the excitement of competition, and gave a formality and degree of order 
and regularity to the proceedings they would not otherwise have attained. As far as practicable, 
the Territorial Legislature recognized the validity of these " claims " upon the public lands, and 
in 1839 passed an act legalizing their sale and making their transfer a valid consideration to sup- 
port a promise to pay for the same. (Acts of 1843, p. 456). The Supreme Territorial Court 
held this law to be valid. (See Hill v. Smith, 1st Morris Rep. 70). The opinion not only con- 
tains a decision of the question involved, but also contains much valuable erudition upon that 
" spirit of Anglo-Saxon liberty" which the Iowa settlers unquestionably inherited in a direct 
line of descent from the said " Anglo-Saxons." But the early settler was not always able to pay 
even this dollar and twenty-five cents per acre for his land. 

Many of the settlers had nothing to begin with, save their hands, health and 
courage and their family jewels, "the pledges of love," and the " consumers of 
bread," It was not so easy to accumulate money in the early days of the State, 
and the "beautiful prairies," the "noble streams," and all that sort of poetic 
imagery, did not prevent the early settlers from becoming discouraged. 

An old settler, in speaking of the privations and trials of those early days, 
says: 

Well do the "old settlers '' of Iowa remember the days from the first settlement to 1840, 
Those were days of sadness and distress. The endearments of home in another land had beea 



58 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA, 

broken up ; and all that was hallowed on earth, the home of childhood and the scenes of youth, 
we severed ; and we sat down by the gentle waters of our noble river, and often " hung our harps 
on the willows." 

Another, from another part of the State, testifies : 

There was no such thing as getting money for any kind of labor. I laid brick at $3.00 
per thousand, and took m.y pay in anything I could eat or wear. I built the first Methodist 
Church at Keokuk, 42x60 feet, of brick, for $600, and took my pay in a subscription paper, part 
of which I never collected, and upon which I only received $50 00 in money. AVheat was hauled 
100 miles from the interior, and sold for STj cents per bushel. 

Another old settler, speaking of a later period, 1843, says : 

Land and everything had gone down in value to almost nominal prices. Corn and oats 
could be bought for six or ten cents a bushel ; pork, $1.00 per hundred ; and the best horse a 
man could raise sold for $50.00, Nearly all were in debt, and the Sheriff and Constable, with 
legal processes, were common visitors at almost every man's door. These were indeed " the times 
that tried men's souls." 

"A few," says Mr. Nourse, "who were not equal to the trial, returned to 
their old homes, but sucli as had the courage and faith to be the worthy founders 
of a great State remained, to more than realize the fruitioii of their hopes, and 
the reward of their self-denial." 

On Monday, December 6, 1841, the fourth Legislative Assembly met, at 
the new capital, Iowa City, but the capitol building could not be used, and the 
Legislature occupied a temporary frame house, that had been erected for that 
purpose, during the session of 1841-2. At this session, the Superintendent of 
Public Buildings (who, with the Territorial Agent, had superseded the Commis- 
sioners first appointed), estimated the expense of completing the building at 
$33,330, and that rooms for the use of the Legislature could be completed for 
$15,600. 

During 1842, the Superintendent commenced obtaining stone from a new 
quarry, about ten miles northeast of the city. This is now known as the '' Old 
Capitol Quarry," and contains, it is thought, an immense quantity of excellent 
building stone. Here all the stone for completing the building was obtained, 
and it was so far completed, that on the 5th day of December, 1842, the Legis- 
lature assembled in the new capitol. At this session, the Superintendent esti- 
mated that it would cost $39,143 to finish the building. This was nearly 
$6,000 higher than the estimate of the previous year, notwithstanding a large 
sum had been expended in the meantime. This rather discouraging discrep- 
ancy was accounted for by the fact that the officers in charge of the work were 
constantly short of funds. Except the congressional appropriation of $20,000 
and the loan of $5,500, obtained from the Miners' Bank, of Dubuque, all the 
funds for the prosecution of the work were derived from the sale of the city 
lots (which did not sell very rapidly), from certificates of indebtedness., and from 
scrip, based upon unsold lots, which was to be received in payment for such lots 
when they were sold. At one time, the Superintendent made a requisition for 
bills of iron and glass, which could not be obtained nearer than St. Louis. To 
meet this, the Agent sold some lots for a draft, payj^ble at Pittsburgh, Pa., for 
which he was compelled to pay twenty-five per cent, exchange. This draft, 
amounting to $507, that officer reported to be more than one-half the cash 
actually handled by him during the entire season, when the disbursements 
amounted to very nearly $24,000. 

With such uncertainty, it could not be expected that estimates could be very 
accurate. With all these disadvantages, however, tlie work appears to have 
been prudently prosecuted, and as rapidly as circumstances would permit. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. •'59 

Iowa remained a Territory from 1838 to 1846, during which the oflBce of 
Governor was held by Robert Lucas, John Chambers and James Clarke. 



STATE ORGANIZATION. 

By an act of the Territorial Legislature of Iowa, approved February 12, 

1844, the question of the formation of a State Constitution and providing for 
the election of Delegates to a convention to be convened for that purpose was 
submitted to the people, to be voted upon at their township elections in April 
following. The vote was largely in favor of the measure, and the Delegates 
elected assembled in convention at Iowa City, on the 7th of October, 1844. 
On the first day of November following, the convention completed its work and 
adopted the first State Constitution. 

The President of the convention, Hon. Shepherd Lefiler, was instructed to 
transmit a certified copy of this Constitution to the Delegate in Congress, to be 
by him submitted to that body at the earliest practicable day. It was also pro- 
vided that it should be submitted, together with any conditions or changes that 
might be made by Congress, to the people of the Territory, for their approval 
or rejection, at the township election in April, 1845. 

The boundaries of the State, as defined by this Constitution, were as fol- 
lows : 

Beginning in the middle of the channel of the Mississippi River, opposite mouth of the 
Des Moines River, thence up the said river Des Moines, in the middle of the main channel 
thereof, to a point where it is intersected by the Old Indian Boundary line, or line run by John 
C. Sullivan, in the year 1816 ; thence westwardly along said line to the " old " northwest corner 
of Missouri ; thence due west to the middle of the main channel of the Missouri River ; thence 
up in the middle of the main channel of the river last mentioned to the mouth of the Sioux or 
Calumet River ; thence in a direct line to the middle of the main channel of the St. Peters River, 
where the Watonwan River — according to Nicollet's map — enters the same ; thence down the 
middle of the main channel of said river to the middle of the main channel of the Mississippi 
River ; thence down the middle of the main channel of said river to the place of beginning. 

These boundaries were rejected by Congress, but by act approved March 3, 

1845, a State called Iowa was admitted into the Union, provided the people 
accepted the act, bounded as follows :• 

Beginning at the mouth of the Des Moines River, at the middle of the Mississippi, thence 
by the middle of the channel of that river to a parallel of latitude passing through the mouth of 
the Mankato or Blue Earth River; thence west, along said parallel of latitude, to a point where 
it is intersected by a meridian line Seventeen degrees and thirty minutes west of the meridian 
of Washington City ; thence due south, to the northern boundary line of the State of Missouri; 
thence eastwardly, following that boundary to the point at which the same intersects the Des 
Moines River ; thence by the middle of the channel of that river to the place of beginning. 

These boundaries, had they been accepted, would have placed the northern 
boundary of the State about thirty miles north of its present location, and would 
have deprived it of the Missouri slope and the boundary of that river. The 
western boundary would have been near the west line of what is now Kossuth 
County. But it was not so to be. In consequence of this radical and unwel- 
come change in the boundaries, the people refused to accept the act of Congress 
and rejected the Constitution at the election, held August 4, 1845, by a vote of 
7,656 to 7,235. 

A second Constitutional Convention assembled at Iowa City on the 4th day 
of May, 1846, and on the 18th of the same month another Constitution for the 
new State with the present boundaries, was adopted and submitted to the people 
for ratification on the 3d day of August following, Avhen it was accepted ; 9,492 
votes were cast "for the Constitution," and 9,036 "against the Constitution." 



60 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

The Constitution was approved by Congress, and by act of Congress approved 
December 28, 1846, Iowa was admitted as a sovereign State in the American 
Union. 

Prior to this action of Congress, however, the people of the new State held 
an election under the new Constitution on the 26th day of October, and elected 
Orescl Briggs, Governor ; Elisha Cutler, Jr., Secretary of State ; Joseph T. 
Tales, Auditor ; Morgan Reno, Treasurer ; and members of the Senate and 
House of Representatives. 

At this time there were twenty-seven organized counties in the State, with 
a populrtiion of nearly 100,000, and the frontier settlements were rapidly push- 
ing toward the Missouri River. The Mormons had already reached there. 

Tlie first General Assembly of the State of Iowa was composed of nineteen 
Senators and forty Representatives. It assembled at Iowa City, November 30, 
1846, about a month before the State was admitted into the Union. 

At the first session of the State Legislature, the Treasurer of State reported 
that the capitol building was in a very exposed condition, liable to injury from 
storms, and expressed the hope that some provision would be made to complete 
it, at least sufficiently to protect it from the weather. The General Assembly 
responded by appropriating ^2,500 for the completion of the public buildings. 
At the first session also arose the question of the re-location of the capital. The 
western boundary of the State, as now determined, left Iowa City too far toward 
the eastern and southern boundary of the State ; this was conceded. Congress 
had appropriated five sections of land for the erection of public buildings, and 
toward the close of the session a bill was introduced providing for the re-location 
of the seat of government, involving to some extent the location of the State 
University, which had already been discussed. This bill gave rise to a deal of 
discussion and parliamentary maneuvering, almost purely sectional in its character. 
It provided for the appointment of three Commissioners, who were authorized to 
make a location as near the geographical center of the State as a healthy and 
eligible site could be obtained ; to select the five sections of land donated by 
Congress ; to survey and plat into town lots not exceeding one section of the 
land so selected ; to sell lots at public sale, not to exceed two in each block. 
Having done this, they were then required to suspend further operations, and 
make a report of their proceedings to the Governor. The bill passed both 
Houses by decisive votes, received the signature of the Governor, and became a 
law. Soon after, by " An act to locate and establish a State University," 
approved February 25, 1847, the unfinished public buildings at Iowa City, 
together with the ten acres of land on which they were situated, were granted 
for the use of the University, reserving their use, however, by the General 
Assembly and the State officers, until other provisions were made by law. 

The Commissioners forthwith entered upon their duties, and selected four 
sections and two half sections in Jasper County. Two of these sections are in 
what is now Des Moines Township, and the others in Fairview Township, in the 
southern part of that county. These lands are situated between Prairie City 
and Monroe, on the Keokuk & Des Moines Railroad, which runs diagonally 
through them. Here a town was platted, called Monroe City, and a sale of 
lots took place. Four hundred and fifteen lots were sold, at prices that were 
not considered remarkably remunerative. The cash payments (one-fourth) 
amounted to $1,797.43, while the expenses of the sale and the claims of the 
Commissioners for services amounted to $2,206.57. The Commissioners made 
a report of their proceedings to the Governor, as required by law, but the loca- 
tion was generally condemned. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 61 

When the report of the Commissioners, showing this brilliant financial ope- 
ration, had been read in the House of Representatives, at the next session, and 
while it was under consideration, an indignant member, afterward known as 
the eccentric Judge McFarland, moved to refer the report to a select Committee 
of Five, Avith instructions to report " how much of said city of Monroe was under 
water and how much was burned." The report was referred, without the 
instructions, however, but Monroe City never became the seat of government. 
By an act approved January 15, 1849, the law by which the location had been 
made was repealed and the new town was vacated, the money paid by purchas- 
ers of lots being refunded to them. This, of course, retained the seat of govern- 
ment at Iowa City, and precluded, for the time, the occupation of the building 
and grounds by the University. 

At the same session, $3,000 more were appropriated for completing the 
State building at Iowa City. In 1852, the further sum of $5,000, and in 1854 
$4,000 more were apppropriated for the same purpose, making the whole cost 
$123,000, paid partly by the General Government and partly by the State, but 
principally from the proceeds of the sale of lots in Iowa City. 

But the question of the permanent location of the seat of government was 
not settled, and in 1851 bills were introduced for the removal of the capital to 
Pella and to Fort Des Moines. The latter appeared to have the support of the 
majority, but was finally lost in the House on the question of ordering it to its 
third reading. 

At the next session, in 1853, a bill was introduced in the Senate for the 
removal of the seat of government to Fort Des Moines, and, on final vote, 
was just barely defeated. At the next session, however, the effort was more 
successful, and on the 15th day of January, 1855, a bill re-locating the capital 
within two miles of the Raccoon Fork of the Des Moines, and for the appoint- 
ment of Commissioners, was approved by Gov. Grimes. The site was selected 
in 1856, in accordance with the provisions of this act, the land being donated 
to the State by citizens and property -holders of Des Moines. An association of 
citizens erected a building for a temporary capitol, and leased it to the State at 
a nominal rent. 

The third Constitutional Convention to revise the Constitution of the State 
assembled at Iowa City, January 19, 1857. The new Constitution framed by 
this convention was submitted to the people at an election held August 3, 1857, 
when it was approved and adopted by a vote of 40,311 " for " to 38,681 
" against," and on the 3d day of September following was declared by a procla- 
mation of the Governor to be the supreme law of the State of Iowa. 

Advised of the completion of the temporary State House at Des Moines, on 
the 19th of October following. Governor Grimes issued another proclamation, 
declaring the City of Des Moines to be the capital of the State of Iowa. 

The removal of the archives and offices was commenced at once and con- 
tinued through the Fall. It was an undertaking of no small magnitude; there 
was not a mile of railroad to facilitate the work, and the season was unusually 
disagreeable. Rain, snow and other accompaniments increased the difficulties ; 
and it was not until December, that the last of the effects — the safe of the State 
Treasurer, loaded on two large " bob-sleds " — drawn by ten yoke of oxen was de- 
posited in the new capital. It is not imprudent now to remark that, during this 
passage over hills and prairies, across rivers, through bottom lands and timber, 
the safes belonging to the several departments contained large sums of money, 
mostly individual funds, however. Thus, Iowa City ceased to be the capital of 
the State, after four Territorial Legislatures, six State Legislatures and three 



62 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

Constitutional Conventions had held their sessions there. By the excliange, 
the old capitol at Iowa City became the seat of the University, and, except the 
rooms occupied by the United States District Court, passed under the immedi- 
ate and direct control of the Trustees of that institution. 

Des Moines was now the permanent seat of government, made so by the 
fundamental law of the State, and on the 11th day of January, 1858, the 
seventh General Assembly convened at the new capital. The building used 
for governmental purposes was purchased in 1864. It soon became inadequate 
for the purposes for which it was designed, and it became apparent that a new, 
lar^e and permanent State House must be erected. In 1870, the General 
Assembly made an appropriation and provided for the appointment of a Board 
of Commissioners to commence the work. The board consisted of Gov. Samuel 
Merrill, ex officio, President ; Grenville M. Dodge, Council Bluffs ; James F. 
Wilson, Fairfield; James Dawson, Washington; Simon G. Stein, Muscatine ; 
James 0. Crosby, Gainsville ; Charles Dudley, Agency City ; John N. Dewey, 
Des Moines ; William L. Joy, Sioux City ; Alexander R. Fulton, Des Moines, 
Secretary. 

The act of 1870 provided that the building should be constructed of the 
best material and should be fire proof; to be heated and ventilated in the most 
approved manner; should contain suitable legislative halls, rooms for State 
officers, the judiciary, library, committees, archives and the collections of the 
State Agricultural Society, and for all purpoees of State Government, and 
should be erected on grounds held by the State for that purpose. The sura first 
appropriated was ^150,000 ; and the law provided that no contract should be 
made, either for constructing or furnishing the building, which should bind the 
State for larger sums than those at the time appropriated. A design was drawn 
and plans and specifications furnished by Cochrane & Piquenard, architects, 
which were accepted by the board, and on the 23d of November, 1871, the cor- 
ner stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies. The estimated cost and present 
value of the capitol is fixed at $2,000,000. 

From 1858 to 1800, the Sioux became troublesome in the northwestern 
part of the State. These warlike Indians made frequent plundering raids upon 
the settlers, and murdered several families. In 1861, several companies of 
militia were ordered to that portion of the State to hunt down and punish the 
murderous thieves. No battles were fought, however, for the Indians fled 
when they ascertained that systematic and adequate measures had been adopted 
to protect the settlers. 

" The year 1856 marked a new era in the history of Iowa. In 1854, the 
Chicago & Rock Island Railroad had been completed to the east bank of the 
Mississippi River, opposite Davenport. In 1854, the corner stone of a railroad 
bridge, that was to be the first to span the "Father of Waters," was laid with 
appropriate ceremonies at this point. St. Louis had resolved that the enter- 
prise was unconstitutional, and by writs of injunction made an unsuccessful 
effort to prevent its completion. Twenty years later in her history, St. Louis 
repented her folly, and made atonement for her sin by imitating our example. 
On the 1st day of January, 1856, this railroad was completed to Iowa City. 
In the meantime, two other railroads had reached the east bank of the Missis- 
sippi — one opposite Burlington, and one opposite Dubuque — and these were 
being extended into the interior of the State. Indeed, four lines of railroad 
had been projected across the State from the Mississippi to the Missouri, hav- 
ing eastern connections. On the 15th of May, 1856, the Congress of the 
United States passed an act granting to the State, to aid in the construction of 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 63 

railroads, the public lands in alternate sections, six miles on either side of the 
proposed lines. An extra session of the General Assembly was called in July 
of this year, that disposed of the grant to the several companies that proposed 
to complete these enterprises. The population of our State at this time had 
increased to 500,000. Public attention had been called to the necessity of a 
railroad across the continent. The position of Iowa, in the very heart and 
center of the Republic, on the route of this great highway across the continent, 
began to attract attention. Cities and towns sprang up through the State as 
if by magic. Capital began to pour into the State, and had it been employed 
in developing our vast coal measures and establishing manufactories among us, 
or if it had been expended in improving our lands, and building houses and 
barns, it would have been well. But all were in haste to get rich, and the 
spirit of speculation ruled the hour. 

" In the meantime, every eifort was made to help the speedy completion of 
the railroads. Nearly every county and city on the Mississippi, and many in 
the interior, voted large corporate subscriptions to the stock of the railroad 
companies, and issued their negotiable bonds for the amount." Thus enormous 
county and city debts were incurred, the payment of which these municipalities 
tried to avoid upon the plea that they had exceeded the constitutional limit- 
ation of their powers. The Supreme Court of the United States held these 
bonds to be valid ; and the courts by mandamus compelled the city and county 
authorities to levy taxes to pay the judgments. These debts are not all paid 
even yet, but the worst is over and ultimately the burden will be entirely 
removed. 

The first railroad across the State was completed to Council Blufis in Jan- 
uary, 1871. The others were completed soon after. In 1854, there was not 
a mile of railroad in the State. In 1874, twenty years after, there were 3,765 
miles in successful operation. 

GROWTH AND PROGRESS. 

When Wisconsin Territory was organized, in 1836, the entire population of 
that portion of the Territory now embraced in the State of Iowa was 10,531, 
The Territory then embraced two counties, Dubuque and Des Moines, erected 
by the Territory of Michigan, in 1834. From 1836 to 1838, the Territorial 
Legislature of Wisconsin increased the number of counties to sixteen, and the 
population had increased to 22,859. Since then, the counties have increased 
to ninety-nine, and the population, in 1880, was 1,624,463. The following 
table will show the population at different periods since the erection of Iowa 
Territory : 

Tear. Population. Year. Population. 

1838 22,589 1852 230,713 

1840 43,115 1854 326,013 

1856 519.055 

1859 638,775 

1860 674,913 

1863 701,732 

1865 754,699 

1867 902,040 

The most populous county in the State is Dubuque. Not only in popula,- 
tion, but in everything contributing to the growth and greatness of a State has 
Iowa made rapid progress. In a little more than thirty years, its wild but 
beautiful prairies have advanced from the home of the savage to a highly civ- 
ilized commonwealth, embracing all the elements of progress which characterize 
the older States. 



1844 75,152 

1846 97,588 

1847 116,651 

1849 152,988 

1850 191,982 

1851 204,774 



Year. Population. 

1869 1,040,819 

1870 1,191,727 

1873 1,251,333 

1875 1,366,000 

1880 1,624,463 



64 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA 

Thriving cities and towns dot its fair surface; an iron net-work of thou- 
sands of miles of railroads is woven over its broad acres ; ten thousand school 
houses, in which more than five hundred thousand children are being taught 
the rudiments of education, testify to the culture and liberality of the j3eople; 
high schools, colleges and universities are generously endowed by the State ; 
manufactories spring up on all her water courses, and in most of her cities 
and towns. 

Whether measured from the date of her first settlement, her organization as 
a Territory or admission as a State, Iowa has thus far shown a growth unsur- 
passed, in a similar period, by any commonwealth on the face of the earth ; 
and, with her vast extent of fertile soil, with her inexhaustible treasures of 
mineral wealth, with a healthful, invigorating climate ; an intelligent, liberty- 
loving people; with equal, just and liberal laws, and her free schools, the 
future of Iowa may be expected to surpass the most hopeful anticipations of her 
present citizens. 

Looking upon Iowa as she is to-day — populous, prosperous and happy — it 
is hard to realize the wonderful changes that have occurred since the first white 
settlements were made within her borders. When the number of States was 
only twenty-six, and their total population about twenty millions, our repub- 
lican form of government was hardly more than an experiment, just fairly put 
upon trial. The development of our agricultural resources and inexhaustible 
mineral wealth had hardly commenced. Westward the " Star of Empire " 
had scarcely started on its way. West of the great Mississippi was a mighty 
empire, but almost unknown, and marked on the maps of the period as " The 
Great American Desert." 

Now, thirty-eight stars glitter on our national escutcheon, and over fifty 
millions of people, who know their rights and dare maintain them, tread 
American soil, and the grand sisterhood of States extends from the Gulf of 
Mexico to the Canadian border, and from the rocky coast of the Atlantic to 
the golden shores of the Pacific. 

THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE AND FARM. 

Ames, Story County. 

The Iowa State Agricultural College and Farm were established by an act 
of the General Assembly, approved March 22, 1858. A Board of Trustees was 
appointed, consisting of Governor R. P. Lowe, John D. Wright, William Duane 
Wilson, M. W. Robinson, Timothy Day, Richard Gaines, John Pattee, G. W. 
F. Sherwin, Suel Foster, S. W. Henderson, Clement Coffin and E. G. Day ; 
the Governors of the State and President of the College being ex officio mem- 
bers. Subsequently the number of Trustees was reduced to five. The Board 
met in June, 1859, and received propositions for the location of the College and 
Farm from Hardin, Polk, Story and Boone, Marshall, Jefferson and Tama 
Counties. In July, the proposition of Story County and some of its citizens 
and by the citizens of Boone County was accepted, and the farm and the site 
for the buildings were located. In 1860-61, the farm-house and barn were 
erected. In 1862, Congress granted to the State 240,000 acres of land for the 
endowment of schools of agriculture and the mechanical arts, and 195,000 acres 
were located by Peter Melendy, Commissioner, in 1862-3. George W. Bassett 
was appointed Land Agent for the institution. In 1864, the General Assem- 
bly appropriated $20,000 for the erection of the college building. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 65 

In June of that year, the Building Committee, consisting of Suel Foster, 
Peter Melendy and A. J. Bronson, proceeded to let the contract. John Browne, 
of Des Moines, was employed as architect, and furnished the plans of the build- 
ing, but was superseded in its construction by C. A. Dunham. The $20,000 
appropriated by the General Assembly were expended in putting in the foun- 
dations and making the brick for the structure. An additional appropriation 
of $91,000 was made in 1866, and the building was completed in 1868. 

Tuition in this college is made by law forever free to pupils from the State 
over sixteen years of age, who have been resident of the State six months pre- 
vious to their admission. Each county in the State has a prior right of tuition 
for three scholars from each county ; the remainder, equal to the capacity of the 
college, are by the Trustees distriljuted among the counties in proportion to the 
population, and subject to the above rule. All sale of ardent spirits, wine or 
beer are prohibited by law within a distance of three miles from the college, 
except for sacramental, mechanical or medical purposes. 

The course of instruction in the Agricultural College embraces the folloAving 
branches: Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, Botany, Horticulture, Fruit Growing, 
Forestry, Animal and Vegetable Anatomy, Geology, Mineralogy, Meteorology, 
Entomology, Zoology, the Veterinary Art, Plane Mensuration, Leveling, Sur- 
veying, Bookkeeping, and such Mechanical Arts as are directly connected 
with agriculture ; also such other studies as the Trustees may from time to time 
prescribe, not inconsistent with the purposes of the institution. 

The funds arising from the lease and sale of lands and interest on invest- 
ments are sufficient for the support of the institution. Several College Societies 
are maintained among the students, who publish a monthly paper. There is 
also an " out-law " called the " A TA^ Chapter Omega." 

THE STATE UNIVERSITY. 

Iowa City, Johnson County. 

In the famous Ordinance of 1787, enacted by Congress before the Territory 
of the United States extended beyond the Mississippi River, it was declared 
that in all the territory northwest of the Ohio River, " Schools and the means 
of education shall forever be encouraged." By act of Congress, approved July 
20, 1840, the Secretary of the Treasury was authorized "to set apart and re- 
serve from sale, out of any of the public lands within the Territory of Iowa, to 
which the Indian title has been or may be extinguished, and not otherwise ap- 
propriated, a quantity of land, not exceeding the entire townships, for the use 
and support of a university within said territory when it becomes a state, and 
for no other use or purpose whatever ; to be Ibcatedin tracts of not less than an 
entire section, corresponding with any of the large divisions into which the pub- 
lic land are authorized to be surveyed." 

William W. Dodge, of Scott County, was appointed by the Secretary of the 
Treasury to make the selections. He selected Section 5 in Township 78, north 
of Range 3, east of the Fifth Principal Meridian, and then removed from the 
Territory. No more lands were selected until 1846, when, at the request of the 
Assembly, John M. Whitaker of Van Buren County, was appointed, who selected 
the remainder of the grant except about 122 acres. 

In the first Constitution, under which Iowa was admitted to the Union, the 
people directed the disposition of the proceeds of this munificent grant in ac- 
cordance with its terms, and instructed the General Assembly to provide, as soon 
5 



66 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

as may be, efrectual:\means for the improvement and security of the 
funds of the university derived from the hinds. 

The first General Assemldy, hy act approved February 25, 1847, established 
the " State University of Iowa " at Iowa City, then the capital of the State, 
"with such other branches as public convenience may hereafter require." 
The " public buildings at Iowa City, together with the ten acres of land in which 
they are situated," were granted for J;he use of said university, provided, how- 
ever, that the sessions of the Legislature and State offices should be held in the 
capitol until otherwise provided by law. The control and management of the 
University were committed to a board of fifteen Trustees, to be appointed by the 
Legishiture, five of whom were to be chosen bienially. The Superintendent 
of Public Instruction was made President of this Board. Provisions were made 
for the disposal of the two townships of land, and for the investment of the funds 
arising therefrom. The act further provides that the University shall never be 
under the exclusive control of any religious denomination whatever," and as 
soon as the revenue for the grant and donations amounts to $2,000 a year, the 
University should commence and continue the instruction, free of charge, of fifty 
students annually. The General Assembly retained full supervision over the 
University, its officers and the gi'ants and donations made and to be made to it 
by the State. 

Section 5 of the act appointed James P. Carleton, H. D. Downey, Thomas 
Snyder, Samuel McCrory, Curtis Bates, Silas Foster, E. C. Lyon, James H. 
Gower, George G. Vincent, Wm. G. Woodward, Theodore S. Parvin, George 
Atchinson, S. G. Matson, H. W. Starr and Ansel Briggs, the first Board of 
Trustees. 

The organization of the University at Iowa City was impracticable, how- 
ever, so long as the seat of government was retained there. 

In January, 1849, two branches of the University and three Normal 
Schools were established. The branches were located — one at Fairfield, and 
the other at Dubuque, and were placed upon an equal footing, in respect to 
funds and all other matters, with the University established at Iowa City. 
*'This act," says Col. Benton, "created three State Universities, with equal 
rights and powers, instead of a 'University with such branches as public conven- 
ience viay hereafter demand,'' as provided by the Constitution." 

The Board of Directors of the Fairfield Branch consisted of Barnet Ris- 
tine, Christian W. Slagle, Daniel Rider, Horace Gaylord, Bernhart Henn and 
Samuel S. Bayard. At the first meeting of the Board, Mr. Henn was elected 
President, Mr. Slagle Secretary, and Mr. Gaylord Treasurer. Twenty acres 
of land were purchased, and a building erected thereon, costing $2,500. 
This building was nearly destroyed by a hurricane, in 1850, but was rebuilt 
more substantially, all by contributions of the citizens of Fairfield. This 
branch never received any aid from the State or from the University Fund, 
and by act approved January 24, 1853, at the request of the Board, the Gen- 
eral Assembly terminated its relation to the State. 

The branch at Dubuque was placed under the control of the Superintendent 
of Public Instruction, and John King, Caleb H. Booth, James M. Emerson, 
Michael J. Sullivan, Richard Benson and the Governor of the State as 
Trustees. The Trustees never organized, and its existence was only nominal. 

The Normal Schools were located at Andrew, Oskaloosa and Mount 
Pleasant, respectively. Each was to be governed by a board of seven Trustees, to 
be appointed by the Trustees of the University. Each was to receive $500 annu- 
ally from the income of the University Fund, upon condition that they should ed- 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 67 

ucate eight school teachers, free of charge for tuition, and that the citizens 
should contribute an equal sum for the erection of the requisite buildings. 
The several Boards of Trustees were appointed. At Andrew, the school was 
organized Nov. 21, 1849; Samuel Ray, Principal; Miss J. S. Dorr, Assist- 
ant. A building was commenced and over $1,000 expended on it, but it was 
never completed. At Oskaloosa, the Trustees organized in April, 1852. ''. This 
school was opened in the Court House, September 13, 1852, under the charge 
of Prof. G. M. Drake and wife. A two story brick building was completed in 
1853, costing $2,473. The school at Mount Pleasant was never organized. 
Neither of these schools received any aid from the University Fund, but in 
1857 the Legislature appropriated $1,000 each for those at Oskaloosa and 
Andrew, and repealed the law authorizing the payment of money to them from 
the University Fund. From that time they made no further effort to 
continue in operation. 

At a special meeting of the Board of Trustees, held February 21, 1850, 
the " College of Physicians and Surgeons of the Upper Mississippi," established 
at Davenport, yvas recognized as the " College of Physicians and Surgeons of 
the State University of Iowa," expressly stipulating, however, that such recog- 
nition should not render the University liable for any pecuniary aid, nor was 
the Board to have any control over the property or management of the Medical 
Association. Soon after, this College was removed to Keokuk, its second ses- 
sion being opened there in November, 1850. In 1851, the General Assembly 
confirmed the action of the Board, and by act approved January 22, 1855, 
placed the Medical College under the supervision of the Board of Trustees of 
the University, and it continued in operation until this arrangement was termi- 
nated by the new Constitution, September 3, 1857. 

From 1847 to 1855, the Board of Trustees was kept full by regular elec- 
tions by the Legislature, and the Trustees held frequent meetings, but there was 
no effectual organization of the University. In March, 1855, it was partially 
opened for a term of sixteen weeks. July 16, 1855, Amos Dean, of Albany, 
N. Y., was elected President, but he never entered fully upon its duties. The 
University was again opened in September, 1855, and continued in operation 
until June, 1856, under Professors Johnson, Welton, Van Valkenburg and 
Guifin. 

In the Spring of 1856, the capital of the State was located at Des Moines ; 
but there were no buildings there, and the capitol at Iowa City was not vacated 
by the State until December, 1857. 

In June, 1856, the faculty was re-organized, with some changes, and the 
University was again opened on the third Wednesday of September, 1856. 
There were one hundred and twenty-four students — eighty-three males and 
forty-one females — in attendance during the year 1856-7, and the first regular 
catalogue was published. 

At a special meeting of the Board, September 22, 1857, the honorary de- 
gree' of Bachelor of Arts was conferred on D. Franklin Wells. This was the 
first degree conferred by the Board. 

Article IX, Section 11, of the new State Constitution, which went into force 
September 3, 1857, provided as follows : 

The State TJniversitv shall be established at one place, without branches at any other place ; 
and the University fund shall be applied to that institution, and no other. 

Article XI, Section 8, provided that 

The seat of Government is hereby permanently established, as now fixed by law, at the city 
of Des Moines, in the county of Polk ; and the State University at Iowa City, in the county of 



68 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

The new Constitution created the Board of Education, consisting of the 
Lieutenant Governor, who was ex officio President, and one member to be elected 
from each judicial district in the State. This Board was endowed with 
"full power and authority to legislate and make all needful rules and regula- 
tions in relation to common schools and other educational institutions," subject 
to alteration, amendment or repeal by the General Assembly, which was vested 
with authority to abolish or re-organize the Board at any time after 1863. 

In December, 1857, the old capitol building, now known as Central Hall of 
the University, except the rooms occupied by the United States District Court, 
and the property, with that exception, passed under the control of the Trustees, 
and became the seat of the University. The old building had had hard usage, 
and its arrangement was illy adapted for University purposes. Extensive repairs 
and changes were necessary, but the Board was without funds for these pur- 
poses. 

The last meeting of the Board, under the old law, was held in January, 
1858. At this meeting, a resolution was introduced, and seriously considered, 
to exclude females from the University ; but it finally failed. 

March 12, 1858, the first Legislature under the new Constitution enacted 
a new law in relation to the University, but it was not materially different from 
the former. March 11, 1858, the Legislature appropriated $3,000 for the re- 
pair and modification of the old capitol building, and $10,000 for the erection 
of a boarding house, now known as South Hall. 

The Board of Trustees created by the new law met and duly organized 
April 27, 1858, and determined to close the University until the income from its 
fund should be adequate to meet the current expenses, and the buildings should 
be ready for occupation. Until this term, the building known as the " Mechan- 
ics' A'^ademy " had been used for the school. The Faculty, except the Chan- 
cellor (Dean), was dismissed, and all further instruction suspended, from the close 
of the terra then in progress until September, 1859. At this meeting, a reso- 
lution was adopted excluding females from the University after the close of the 
existing term ; but this was afterward, in August, modified, so as to admit them 
to the Normal Department. 

At the meeting of the Board, August 4, 1858, the degree of Bachelor of 
Science was conferred upon Dexter Edson Smith, being the first degree con- 
erred upon a student of the University. Diplomas were awarded to the mem- 
bers of the first graduating class of the Normal Department as follows : Levi 
.?- Aylworth, Cellina H. Aylworth, Elizabeth L. Humphrey, Annie A. Pinney 
and Sylvia M. Thompson. 

An " Act for the Government and Regulation of the State University of 
Iowa," approved December 25, 1858, was mainly a re-enactment of the law of 
March 12, 1858, except that changes were made in the Board of Trustees, and 
manner of their appointment. This law provided that both sexes were to be 
admitted on equal terms to all departments of the institution, leaving the Board 
no discretion in the matter. 

The new Board met and organized, 'February 2, 1859, and decided to con- 
tinue the Normal Department only to the end of the current term, and that it 
was unwise to re-open the University at that time ; but at the annual meeting 
of the Board, in June of the same year, it was resolved to continue the Normal 
Department in operation ; and at a special meetmg, October 25, 1859, it was 
decided to re-open the University in September, 1860. Mr. Dean had resigned 
as Chancellor prior to this meeting, and Silas Totten, D. D., LL. D., was elected 
President, at a salary of $2,000. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 69 

At the annual meeting, June 28, 1860, a full Faculty was appointed, and 
the University re-opened, under this new organization, September 19, 1860 
(third Wednesday) ; and at this date the actual existence of the University may 
be said to commence. 

August 19, 1862, Dr. Totten having resigned. Prof Oliver M. Spencer 
was elected President and the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred 
upon Judge Samuel F. Miller, of Keokuk. 

At the commencement, in June, 1863, waa the first class of graduates in 
the Collegiate Department. 

The Board of Education was abolished March 19, 1864, and the office of 
Superintendent of Public Instruction was restored ; the General Assembly 
resumed control of the subject of education, and on March 21, an act was ap- 
proved for the government of the University. It was substantially the same as 
the former hiw, but provided that the Governor should be ex officio President of 
the Board of Trustees. Until 1858, the Superintendent of Public Instruction 
had been ex officio President. During the period of the Board of Education, 
the University Trustees were elected by it, and elected their own President. 

President Spencer was granted leave of absence from April 10, 1866, for 
fifteen months, to visit Europe; and Prof. Nathan R. Leonard was elected 
President pro tern. 

The North Hall was completed late in 1866. 

At the annual meeting in June, 1867, the resignation of President Spencer 
(absent in Europe) was accepted, and Prof. Leonard continued as President pro 
tern., until March 4, 1868, when James Black, D. D., Vice President of Wash- 
ington and Jefferson College, Penn., was elected President. Dr. Black entered 
upon his duties in September, 1868. 

The Law Department was established in June, 1868, and, in September fol- 
lowing, an arrangement was perfected with the Iowa Law School, at Des Moines, 
which had been in successful operation for three years, under the management 
of Messrs. George G. Wright, Chester C. Cole and William G. Hammond, by 
which that institution was transferred to Iowa City and merged in the Law De- 
partment of the University. The Faculty of this department consisted of the 
President of the University, Hon. Wm. G. Hammond, Resident Professor and 
Principal of the Department, and Professors G. G. Wright and C. C. Cole. 

Nine students entered at the commencement of the first term, and during 
the year ending June, 1877, there were 103 students in this department. 

At a special meeting of the Board, on the 17th of September, 1868, a Com- 
mittee was appointed to consider the expediency of establishing a Medical De- 
partment. This Committee reported at once in favor of the proposition, the 
Faculty to consist of the President of the University and seven Professors, and 
recommended that, if practicable, the new department should be opened at the 
commencement of the University year, in 1869-70. At this meeting, Hon. 
Ezekiel Clark was elected Treasurer of the University. 

By an act of the General Assembly, approved April 11, 1870, the "Board 
of Regents " was instituted as the governing power of the University, and since 
that time it has been the fundamental law of the institution. The Board of 
Regents held its first meeting June 28, 1870. Wm. J. Haddock was elected 
Secretary, and Mr. Clark, Treasurer. 

Dr. Black tendered his resignation as President, at a special meetin«g of the 
Board, held August 18, 1870, to take effect on the 1st of December following. 
His resignation was accepted. 



70 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

The South Hall havng been fitted up forthe purpose, the first term was 
Medical Department was opened October 24, 1870, and continued until March, 
1871, at which time there were three graduates and thirty-nine students. 

March 1, 1871, Rev. George Thache** was elected President of the Univer- 
' sity. Mr. Thacher accepted, entered upon his duties April 1st, and was form- 
ally inaugurated at the annual meeting in June, 1861. 

In June, 1874, the " Chair of Military Instruction" was established, and 
the President of the United States was requested to detail an officer to perforin 
its duties. In compliance with this request, Lieut. A. D. Schenck, Second Artil- 
lery, U. S. A., was detailed as "Professor of Military Science and Tactics," 
at Iowa State University, by order of the War Department, August 26, 1874, 
who reported for duty on the 10th of September following. Lieut. Schenck 
was relieved by Lieut. James Chester, Third Artillery, January 1, 1877. 

Treasurer Clark resigned November 3, 1875, and John N. Coldren elected 
in his stead. 

At the annual meeting, in 1876, a Department of Homoeopathy was 
established. 

In March, 1877, a resolution was adopted affiliating the High Schools of 
the State with the University. 

In June, 1877, Dr. Thacher's connection with the University was termi- 
nated, and C. W. Slagle, a member of the Board of Regents, was elected Pres- 
ident. 

In 1872, the ex officio membership of the Superintendent of Public Instruc- 
tion was abolished ; but it Avas restored in 1876. Following is a catalogue of 
the officers of this important institution, from 1847 to 1878 : 

TRUSTEES OR REGENTS. 

PRESIDENTS. 

FEOM TO 

James Harlan, Superintendent Public Instruction, ex officio 1847 1848 

Thomas H. Benton, Jr,, Superintendent Public Instruction, ex officio 1848 1854 

James D. Eads, Superintendent Public Instruction, ex officio 1854 1857 

Maturin L. Fisher, Superintendent Public Instruction, ex officio 1857 1858 

Amos Dean, Chancellor, ex officio 1858 1859 

Thomas H. Benton, Jr 1859 1863 

Francis Springer 1863 1864 

William M. Stone, Governor, ex officio 1864 1868 

Samuel Merrill, Governor, ex officio 1868 1872 

Cyrus C. Carpenter, Governor, ex officio 1872 1876 

Samuel J. Kirkwood, Governor, ex officio ...».• 1876 1877 

Joshua G. Newbold, Governor, ex officio 1877 1878 

John H. Gear 1878 1883 

VICE PRESIDENTS. FROM TO 

Silas Foster 1847 1851 

Robert Lucas 1851 1853 

Edward Connelly 1854 1855 

Moses J. Morsman 1855 1858 

SECRETARIES. 

Hugh D. Downey 1847 1851 

Anson Hart 1851 1«57 

Elijah Sells 1857 1858 

Anson Hart 1858 . 1864 

William J. Haddock 1864 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 71 

TREASURERS. 

Morgan Reno, State Treasurer, ex officio 1847 1850 

Israel Kister, State Treasurer, ex officio 1850 1852 

Martin L. Morris, State Treasurer, ex officio 1852 1855 

Henry W. Lathrop 1855 1862 

William Crum 1862 1868 

Ezekiel Clark 1868 1876 

John N. Coldren l°"o 

PRESIDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY. 

Amos Dean, LL. D 1855 1858 

Silas Totten, D. D., LL. D I860 1862 

Oliver M. Spencer, D. D.* 1862 1867 

James Black, D. D 1868 1870 

George Thacher, D. D 1871 1877 

C. W. Slagle 1877 

Josiah L. Pickard l0'« . 

In 1882 a dental department was added to the University, with L. C. 
Ingersoll, M. D., of Keokuk, as Dean of the Dental Faculty. There 
were also added this year a school of elocution and oratory," under Prof. 
E. M. Booth; and a school of short-hand reporting, in charge of Prof. 
Eldon Moran. 

GENERAL STATEMENT. 

The University secular affairs are managed by a Board of Regents con- 
stituted as follows: The Governor of the State, the Superintendent of 
Pubhc Instruction, and the President of the University are ex-officio mem- 
bers—the Governor of the State, being by virtue of his office, the Presi- 
dent of the Board, 

The General Assembly elects one person from each Congressional dis- 
trict of the State to hold office for six years. The Regents are divided 
into three classes, so arranged that the members of one class are elected 
at each biennial session of the Legislature. 

The Board of Regents is empowered to confer such degrees and to grant 
such diplomas as are usually conferred and granted by other Universities. 

The University fund arising from the sale of lands donated by the Gen- 
eral Government has been supplemented from time to time by Legislative 
grant. The Institution is now in receipt of an annual endowment, whereby 
the work and usefulness of the University are greatly extended. 

No preparatory work is done in the University; that is left to the High 
Schools, Academics and Colleges throughout the State . The require- 
ments for admission have been determined upon after the fullest considera- 
tien of what is best for the High Schools of the State as well as for the 
University. 

BOARD OF REGENTS.— 1882. 

His Excellencv, Buren R. Sherman, Governor of the State, member, 
and President of the Board cx-offieio. C. W. Slagle, Fairfield, T. S. Parr, 
Indinola, D. N. Richardson, Davenport, term expires, 1882 ; H. C. Bulls, 
Decorah, A. T. Reeve, Hampton, J. F. Duncombe, Fort Dodge, term 
expires, 1884 ; J. N. W. Rumple, Marengo, W. O. Crosby, Centerville, 
H. Everett, Council Bluffs, term expires, 1886 ; D. N. Richardson, 
Davenport, elected 1882, H. A. Burrell, Washington, T. S. Wright, Des 
Moines, term expires, 1888; J. W. Akers, Superintendent of Public In- 
struction, J. L. Pickard. President of the University, members ex-officio; J. 
N. Coldren, Iowa City, Treasurer; W.J. Haddock, Iowa City, Secretary; 
]. L. Pickard, L. Robinson, L. W. Ross, Executive Committee. 



72 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

UNIVERSITY BUILDINGS. 

1. The Central Building, the former State Capitol, is 1'20 feet by 60 
feet, and two stories in height. It is built of stone. 

2. The South Building is 108 feet b} 45 feet, and three stories in height. 
It is built of brick. 

3. The North Building is 90 feet by 61 feet and two stories in height. 
It is built of brick. 

4. The Astronomical Observatory is 66 feet by 26 feet with a rotunda 
14 feet in diameter. It is constructed of brick. 

5. The Hospital and Clinical Amphitheater is 68 feet by 55 feet and 
two stories in height. It is constructed partly of brick and partly of 
wood. 

6. The Homeopathic Medical Building is 42 feet by 25 feet and two 
stories in height. It is constructed of brick. 

7. The Armory. Brick; 30 by 40 feet, two stories in height. 

8. The Medical Building, is 84 feet by 60 feet and four stories in height 
with a French roof. 

STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

By act of the General Assembly, approved January 28, 1857, a State His- 
torical Society was provided for in connection with the University. At the 
commencement, an appropriation of $250 was made, to be expended in collecting, 
embodying, and preserving in an authentic form a library of books, pamphlets, 
charts, maps, manuscripts, papers, paintings, statuary, and other materials illus- 
trative of the history of Iowa; and with the further object to rescue from 
oblivion the memory of the early pioneers ; to obtain and preserve various 
accounts of their exploits, perils and hardy adventures ; to secure facts and 
statements relative to the history and genius, and progress and decay of the 
Indian tribes of Iowa; to exhibit fiithfully the antiquities and past and present 
resources of the State ; to aid in the publication of such collections of the Society 
as shall from time to time be deemed of value and interest ; to aid in binding 
its books, pamphlets, manuscripts and papers, and in defraying other necessary 
incidental expenses of the Society. 

There was appropriated by law to this institution, till the General Assembly 
shall otherwise direct, the sum of $500 per annum. The Society is under the 
management of a Board of Curators, consisting of eighteen persons, nine of 
whom are appointed by the Governor, and nine elected by the members of the 
Society. The Curators receive no compensation for their services. The annual 
meeting is provided for by law, to be held at Iowa City on Monday preceding 
the last Wednesday in June of each year. 

The State Historical Society has published a series of very valuable collec- 
tions, including history, biography, sketches, reminiscences, etc., with quite a 
large number of finely engraved portraits of prominent and early settlers, under 
the title of " Annals of Iowa." 



THE PENITENTIARY. 

Located at Fort Madison, Lee County. 

The first act of the Territorial Legislature, relating to a Penitentiary in 
Iowa, was approved January 25, 1839, the fifth section of which authorized the 
Governor to draw the sum of $20,000 appropriated by an act of Congress ap- 
proved July 7, 1838, for public buildings in the Territory of Iowa. It provided 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 73 

direct the building of the Penitentiary, which should be located within one mile 
of the public square, in the town of Fort Madison, Lee County , provided Fort 
Madison should deed to the directors a tract of land suitable for a site, and assign 
them, by contract, a spring or stream of water for the use of the Penitentiary. 
To the Directors was also given the power of appointing the Vfarden ; the latter 
to appoint his own assistants. 

The first Directors appointed were John S. David and John Claypole. They 
made their first report to the Legislative Council November 9, 1839. The citi- 
zens of the town of Fort Madison had executed a deed conveying ten acres of 
land for the building site. Amos Ladd was appointed Superintendent of the 
building June 5, 1839. The building was designed of sufficient capacity to con- 
tain one hundred and thirty-eight convicts, and estimated to cost $55,933.90. 
It was begun on the 9th of July, 1839 ; the main building and Warden's house 
were completed in the Fall of 1841. Other additions were made from time to 
time till the building and arrangements were all complete according to the plan 
of the Directors. It has answered the purpose of the State as a Penitentiary 
for more than thirty years, and during that period many items of practical ex- 
perience in prison management have been gained. 

It has long been a problem how to conduct prisons, and deal with what are 
called the criminal classes generally, so as to secure their best good and best 
subserve the interests of the State. Both objects must be taken into considera- 
tion in any humaritarian view of the subject. This problem is not yet solved, 
but Iowa has adopted the progressive and enlightened policy of humane treat- 
ment of prisoners and the utilization of their labor for their own support. The 
labor of the convicts in the Iowa Penitentiary, as in most others in the United 
States, is iex, -)ut to contractors, who pay the State a certain stipulated amount 
therefor, the State furnishing the shops, tools and machinery, as well as the 
supervision necessary to preserve order and discipline in the prison. 

While this is an improvement upon the old solitary confinement system, it 
still falls short of an enlightened reformatory system that in the future will 
treat the criminal for mental disease and endeavor to restore him to usefulness 
in the community. The objections urged against the contract system of dis- 
posing of the labor of prisoners, that it brings the labor of honest citizens into 
competition with convict labor at reduced prices, and is disadvantageous to the 
State, are not without force, and the system will have no place in the prisons of 
the future. 



ADDITIONAL PENITENTIARY. 

Located at Anamosa, Jones County. 

By an act of the Fourteenth General Assembly, approved April 23, 1872, 
William Ure, Foster L. Downing and Martin Heisey were constituted Commis- 
sioners to locate and provide for the erection and control of an additional 
Penitentiary for the State of Iowa. These Commissioners met on the 4ih of 
the following June, at Anamosa, Jones County, and selected a site donated by 
the citizens, within the limits of the city. L. W. Foster & Co., architects, of 
Des Moines, furnished the plan, drawings and specifications, and work was 
commenced on the building on the 28th day of September, 1872. ]\Iay 13, 
1873, twenty convicts were transferred to Anamosa from the Fort Madison 
Penitentiary. The entire enclosure includes fifteen acres, with a frontage of 
663 feet. 



74 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 



IOWA HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE. 

Mount Pleasant, Henry County. 

By an act of the General Assembly of Iowa, approved January 24, 1855, 
$4,425 were appropriated for the purchase of a site, and ^50,000 for building 
an Insane Hospital, and the Governor (Grimes), Edward Johnston, of Lee 
County, and Charles S. Blake, of Henry County, were appointed to locate the 
institution and superintend the erection of the building. These Commission- 
ers located the institution at Mt. Pleasant, Henry County. A plan for a 
building designed to accommodate 300 patients, drawn by Dr. Bell, of Massa- 
chusetts, was accepted, and in October work was commenced under the superin- 
tendence of Mr. Henry Winslow. Up to February 25, 1858, and including an 
appropriation made on that date, the Legislature had appropriated ^258,555.67 
to this institution, but the building was not finished ready for occupancy by 
patients until March 1, 1861. The Trustees were Maturin L. Fisher, Presi- 
dent, Farmersburg; Samuel McFarland, Secretary, Mt. Pleasant; D. L. 
McGugin, Keokuk; G. W. Kincaid, Muscatine; J. D. Elbert, Keosauqua; 
John B. Lash and Harpin Riggs, Mt. Pleasant. Richard J. Patterson, M. D., 
of Ohio, was elected Superintendent; Dwight C. Dewey, M. D., Assistant 
Physician; Henry Winslow, Steward; Mrs. Catharine Winslow, Matron. 
The Hospital was formally opened March 6, 1861, and one hundred patients 
were admitted within three months. About 1865, Dr. Mark Ranney became 
Superintendent. April 18, 1876, a portion of the hospital building was 
destroyed by fire. From the opening of the Hospital to the close of October, 
1877, 3,584 patients had been admitted. Of these, 1,141 were discharged 
recovered, 505 discharged improved, 589 discharged unimproved, and 1 died ; 
total discharged, 2,976, leaving 608 inmates. During this period, there were 
1,384 females admitted, whose occupation was registered "domestic duties ;" 
122, no occupation; 25, female teachers; 11, seamstresses; and 25, servants. 
Among the males were 916 farmers, 394 laborers, 205 without occupation, 39 
cabinet makers, 23 brewers, 31 clerks, 26 merchants, 12 preachers, 18 shoe- 
makers, 13 students, 14 tailors, 13 teachers, 14 agents, 17 masons, 7 lawyers, 
7 physicians, 4 saloon keepers, 3 salesmen, 2 artists, and 1 editor. The pro- 
ducts of the farm and garden, in 1876, amounted to $13,721.26. 

HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE. 

Independence, Buchanan County. 

In the Winter of 1867-8, a bill providing for an additional Hospital for the 
Insane was passed by the Legislature, and an appropriation of $125,000 was 
made for that purpose. Maturin L. Fisher, of Clayton County ; E. G. Morgan, 
of Webster County, and Albert Clark, of Buchanan County, were appointed 
Commissioner to locate and supervise the erection of the building. Clark 
died about a year after his appointment, and Hon. G. W. Bemis, of Indepen- 
dence, was appointed to fill the vacancy. 

The Commissioners met and commenced their labors on the 8th day of 
June, 1868, at Independence. The act under which they were appointed 
required them to select the most eligible and desirable location, of not less than 
320 acres, within two miles of the city of Independence, that might be ofiered 
by the citizens free of charge to the State. Several such tracts were offered, 
but the Commissioners finally selected the south half of southwest quarter of 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 75 

northwest quarter of Section 8, and the north half of northeast quarter of Sec- 
tion 8, all in Township 88 north, Range 9 west of the Fifth Principal Meridian. 
This location is on the west side of the Wapsipinicon River, and about a mile 
from its banks, and about the same distance from Independence. 

Col. S. V. Shipman, of Madison, Wis., was employed to prepare plans, 
specifications and drawings of the building, which, when completed, were sub- 
mitted to Dr. M. Ranney, Superintendent of the Hospital at Mount Pleasant, 
•who suggested several improvements. The contract for erecting the building 
was awarded to Mr. David Armstrong, of Dubuque, for $88,114. The con- 
tract was signed November 7, 1868, and Mr. Armstrong at once commenced 
work. Mr. George Josselyn was appointed to superintend the work. The 
main buildings were constructed of dressed limestone, from the quarries at 
Anamosa and Farley. The basements are of the local granite worked from the 
immense boulders found in large quantities in this portion of the State. 

In 1872, the building was so far completed that the Commissioners called 
the first meeting of the Trustees, on the 10th day of July of that year. These 
Trustees were Maturin L. Fisher, Mrs. P. A. Appleman, T. W. Fawcett, C. 
C. Parker, E. G. Morgan, George W. Bemis and John M. Boggs. This board 
was organized, on the day above mentioned, by the election of Hon. M. L. 
Fisher, President ; Rev. J. G. Boggs, Secretary, and George W. Bemis, Treas- 
urer, and, after adopting preliininary measures for organizing the local govern- 
ment of the hospital, adjourned to the first Wednesday of the following Septem- 
ber. A few days before this meeting, Mr. Boggs died of malignant fever, 
and Dr. John G. House was appointed to fill the vacancy. Dr. House was 
elected Secretary. At this meeting, Albert Reynolds, M. D., was elected 
Superintendent; George Josselyn, Steward, and Mrs. Anna B. Josselyn, 
Matron. September 4, 1873, Dr. Willis Butterfield was elected Assistant 
Physician. The building was ready for occupancy April 21, 1873. 

In the Spring of 1876, a contract was made with Messrs. Mackay & Lundy, 
of Independence, for furnishing materials for building the outside walls of the 
two first sections of the south wing, next to the center building, for $6,250. 
The carpenter work on the fourth and fifth stories of the center building was 
completed during the same year, and the wards were furnished and occupied by 
patients in the Fall. 

In 1877, the south wing was built. 

IOWA COLLEGE FOR THE BLIND. 

Vinton, Benton County. 

In August, 1852, Prof. Samuel Bacon, himself blind, established an Insti- 
tution for the Instruction of the Blind of Iowa, at Keokuk. 

By act of the General Assembly, entitled " An act to establish an Asylum 
for the Blind," approved January 18, 1858, the institution was adopted by the 
State, removed to Iowa City, February 3d, and opened for the reception of pupils 
April 4, 1853, free to all the blind in the State. 

The first Board of Trustees were James D. Eads, President ; George W. 
McClary, Secretary ; James H. Gower, Treasurer ; Martin L. Morris, Stephen 
Hempstead, Morgan Reno and John McCaddon. The Board appointed Prof. 
McGugin, Keokuk; G. W. Kincaid, Muscatine; J. D. Elbert, Keosauqua. 



XQ HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

Samuel Bacon, Principal ; T. J. McGittigen, Teacher of Music, and Mrs. Sarah 
K. Bacon, Matron. Twenty-three pupils were admitted during the first term. 

In his first report, made in 1854, Prof. Bacon suggested that the name 
should be changed from "Asylum for the Blind," to that of "Institution for 
the Instruction of the Blind." This was done in 1855, when the General As- 
sembly made an annual appropriation for the College of $55 per quarter for 
each pupil. This was subsequently changed to $3,000 per annum, and a charge 
of $25 as an admission fee for each pupil, which sum, with the amounts realized 
from the sale of articles manufactured by the blind pupils, proved sufficient for 
the expenses of the institution during Mr. Bacon's administration. Although 
Mr. Bacon was blind, he was a fine scholar and an economical manager, and 
had founded the Blind Asylum at Jacksonville, Illinois. As a mathematician 
he had few superiors. 

On the 8th of May, 1858, the Trustees met at Vinton, and made arrange- 
ments for securing the donation of $5,000 made by the citizens of that town. 

In June of that year, a quarter section of land was donated for the College, 
by John W. 0. Webb and others, and the Trustees adopted a plan for the 
erection of a suitable building. In 1860, the plan was modified, and the con- 
tract for enclosing let to Messrs. Finkbine & Lovelace, for $10,420. 

In August, 1862, the building was so far completed that the goods and fur- 
uiture of the institution were removed from loAva City to Vinton, and early in 
October, the school was opened there with twenty-four pupils. At this time, 
Rev. Orlando Clark was Principal. 

In August, 1864, a new Board of Trustees were appointed by the Legisla- 
ture, consisting of James McQuin, President; Reed Wilkinson, Secretary ; Jas. 
Chapin, Treasurer; Robert Gilchrist, Elijah Sells and Joseph Dysart, organized 
and made important changes. Rev. Reed Wilkinson succeeded Mr. Clark as 
Principal. Mrs. L. S. B. Wilkinson and Miss Amelia Butler were appointed 
Assistant Teachers ; Mrs. N. A. Morton, Matron. 

Mr. Wilkinson resigned in June, 1867, and Gen. James L. Geddes was 
appointed in his place. In September, 1869, Mr. Geddes retired, and was 
succeeded by Prof. S. A.Knapp. Mrs. S. C. Lawton was appointed Matron, 
and was succeeded by Mrs. M. A. Knapp. Prof. Knapp resigned July 1, 

1875, and Prof. Orlando Clark was elected Principal, who died April 2, 

1876, and was succeeded by John B. Parmalee, who retired in July, 1877, 
when the present incumbent, Rev. Robert Carothers, was elected. 

The Legislative Committee who visited this institution in 1878 expressed 
their astonishment at the vast expenditure of money in proportion to the needs 
of the State. The structure is well built, and the money properly expended ; 
yet it was enormously beyond the necessities of the State, and shows an utter 
disregard of the fitness of things. The Committee could not understand why 
$282^000 should have been expended for a massive building covering about two 
and a half acres for the accommodation of 130 people, costing over eight thou- 
sand dollars a year to heat it, and costing the State about five hundred dollars 
a year for each pupil. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. , 7T 

INSTITUTION FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB. 

Council Bluffs, Pottawattomie County. 

The Iowa Institution for tlie Deaf and Dumb was established at Iowa City 
by an act of the General Assembly, approved January 24, 1855. The number 
of deaf mutes then in the State was 301 ; the number attending the Institution, 
50. The first Board of Trustees were: Hon. Samuel J. Kirkwood, Hon. E. 
Sells, W. Penn Clarke, J. P. Wood, H. D. Downey, William Crum, W. E. 
Ijams, Principal. On the resignation of Mr. Ijams, in 1862, the Board 
appointed in his ste;id Mr. Benjamin Talbot, for nine years a teacher in the 
Ohio Institution for the Deaf and Dumb. Mr. Talbot was ardently devoted to 
the interests of the institution and a faithful worker for the unfortunate class 
under his charge. 

A strong effort was made, in 1866, to remove this important institution to 
Des Moines, but it was located permanently at Council Bluffs, and a building 
rented for its use. In 1868, Commissioners were appointed to locate a site for, 
and to superintend the erection of, a new building, for which the Legislature 
appropriated $125,000 to commence the work of construction. The Commis- 
sioners selected ninety acres of land about two miles south of the city of Coun- 
cil Bluffs. The main building and one wing were completed October 1, 1870, 
and immediately occupied by the Institution. February 25, 1877, the main 
building and east wing were destroyed by fire; and August 6 following, the 
roof of the new west wing was blown off and the walls partially demolished by 
a tornado. At the time of the fire, about one hundred and fifty pupils were in 
attendance. After the fire, half the classes were dismissed and the number of 
scholars reduced to about seventy, and in a week or two the school was in run- 
ning order. 

The Legislative Committee which visited this Institution in the Winter 
of 1857-8 was not well pleased with the condition of affairs, and reported 
that the building (west wing) was a disgrace to the State and a monu- 
ment of unskillful workmanship, and intimated rather strongly that some 
reforms in management were very essential. 

Trustees for iSyy-yS were. — Thomas Officer, President; N. P.Dodge, 
Treasurer; Paul Lange, William Orr, J. W. Cattell. 

Superintendent, Benjamin Talbot, M. A. Teachers, Edwin Southwick, 
Conrad S. Zorbaugh, John A. Gillespie, John A. Kennedy, Ellen J. Israel, 
Ella J. Brown, Mrs. H. R. Gillespie; Physician, H. W. Hart, M. D.; Stew- 
ard, N. A. Taylor.; Matron Mary B. Swan. 

SOLDIERS' ORPHANS' HOMES. 

Davenport. Cedar Falls, Grlenwood. 

The movement which culminated in the establishment of this beneficent in- 
stitution Avas originated by Mrs. Annie Wittenmeyer, during the civil war of 
1861-65. This noble and patriotic lady called a convention at Muscatine, on 
the 7th of October 1863, for the purpose of devising measures for the support 
and education of the orphan children of the brave sons of Iowa, who had fallen 
in defense of national honor and integrity. So great was the public interest in 
the movement that there was a large representation from all parts of the State 
on the day named, and an association was organized called the Iowa State Or- 
phan Asylum. 



78 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

The first officers were : President, William M. Stone ; Vice Presidents, Mrs. 
G. G. Wright, Mrs. R. L. Cadle, Mrs. J. T. Hancock, John R. Needham, J. W. 
Cattell, Mrs. Mary M. Bagg ; Recording Secretary, Miss Mary Kibben ; Cor- 
responding Secretary, Miss M. E. Shelton ; Treasurer, N. H. Brainerd; Board 
of Trustees, Mrs. Annie Wittenmeyer, Mrs. C. B. Darwin, Mrs. D. T. Newcorab, 
Mrs. L. B. Stephens, 0. Fayville, E. H. Williams, T. S. Parvin, Mrs. Shields, 
Caleb Baldwin, C. C. Cole, Isaac Pendleton, H. C. Henderson. 

The first meeting of the Trustees was held February 14, 1864, in the Repre- 
sentative Hall, at Des Moines. Committees from both branches of the General 
Assembly were present and were invited to participate in their deliberations. 
Gov. Kirkwood suggested that a home for disabled soldiers should be connected 
with the Asylum. Arrangements were made for raising funds. 

At the next meeting, in Davenport, in March, 1864, the Trustees decided to 
commence operations at once, and a committee, of which Mr. Howell, of Keo- 
kuk, was Chairman, was appointed to lease a suitable building, solicit donations, 
and procure suitable furniture. This committee secured a large brick building 
in Lawrence, Van Buren County, and engaged Mr. Fuller, of Mt. Pleasant, as 
Steward. 

At the annual meeting, in Des Moines, in June, 1864, Mrs. C. B. Baldwin, 
Mrs. G. G. Wright, Mrs. Dr. Horton, Miss Mary E. Shelton and Mr. George 
Sherman were appointed a committee to furnish the building and take all neces- 
sary steps for opening the "Home," and notice was given that at the next 
meeting of the Association, a motion would be made to change the name of the 
Institution to Iowa Orphans' Home. 

The work of preparation was conducted so vigorously that on the 1 3th day 
of July following, the Executive Committee announced that they were ready to 
receive the children. In three weeks twenty-one were admitted, and the num- 
ber constantly increased, so that, in a little more than six months from the time 
of opening, there were seventy children admitted, and twenty more applica- 
tions, which the Committee had not acted upon — all orphans of soldiers. 

Miss M. Elliott, of Washington, was appointed Matron. She resigned, 
in February, 1865, and was succeeded by Mrs. E. G. Piatt, of Fremont 
County. 

The " Home " was sustained by the voluntary contributions of the people, 
until 1866, when it was assumed by the State. In that year, the General 
Assembly provided for the location of several such "Homes" in the different 
counties, and which were established at Davenport, Scott County; Cedar Falls, 
Black Hawk County, and at Glenwood, Mills County. 

The Board of Trustees elected by the General Assembly had the oversight 
and management of the Soldiers' Orphans' Homes of the State, and consisted 
of one person from each county in which such Home was located, and one for 
the State at large, who held their office two years, or until their successors were 
elected and qualified. An appropriation of $10 per month for each orphan 
actually supported was made by the General Assembly. 

The Home in Cedar Falls was organized in 1865, and an old hotel building 
was fitted up for it. Rufus C, Mary L. and Emma L. Bauer were the first 
children received, in October, and by January, 1866, there were ninety-six in- 
mates. 

^ October 12, 1869, the Home was removed to a large brick building, about 
two miles west of Cedar Falls, and was very prosperous for several years, but 
in 1876, the General Assembly established a State Normal School at Cedar 
Falls and appropriated the buildings and grounds for that purpose. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 79 

By " An act to provide for the organization and support of an asylum at 
Glenwood, in Mills County, for feeble minded children," approved March 17, 
1876, the buildings and grounds used by the Soldiers' Orplians' Home at that 
place were appropriated for this purpose. By another act, approved March 15, 
1876, the soldiers' orphans, then at the Homes at Glenwood and Cedar Falls, 
were to be removed to the Home at Davenport within ninety days thereafter, 
and the Board of Trustees of the Home were authorized to receive other indigent 
children into that institution, and provide for their education in industrial 
pursuits. 

STATE NORMAL SCHOOL. 

Cedar Falls, Black Hawk County. 

Chapter 129 of the laws of the Sixteenth General Assembly, in 1876, estab- 
lished a State Normal School at Cedar Falls, Black Hawk County, and required 
the Trustees of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home to turn over the property in their 
charge to the Directors of the new institution. 

The Board of Directors met at Cedar Falls June 7, 1876, and duly organ- 
ized by the election of H. C. Hemenway, President ; J. J. Toleston, Secretary, 
and E. Townsend, Treasurer. The Board of Trustees of the Soldiers' Orphans' 
Home met at the same time for the purpose of turning over to the Directors the 
property of that institution, which was satisfactorily done and properly receipted 
for as required by law. At this meeting, Prof. J, C. Gilchrist was elected 
Principal of the School. 

On the 12th of July, 1876, the Board again met, when executive and 
teachers' committees were appointed and their duties assigned. A Steward 
and a Matron were elected, and their respective duties defined. 

The buildings and grounds were repaired and fitted up as well as the appro- 
priation would admit, and the first term of the school opened September 6, 1876, 
commencing with twenty-seven and closing with eighty-seven students. The 
second term closed with eighty-six, and one hundred and six attended during 
the third term. 



REFORM SCHOOL FOR GIRLS. 

Mitchellville^ Polk County. 

In 1869 the building and grounds of the Universalist Seminary at 
Mitchellville were purchased, and a reform school for girls was opened 
there. In Januar}^ 1882, there were sixt3'-three girls in this school. 
Mrs. Angle C. Le welling, matron; salary $700. In 1880 the legislature 
appropriated $16,900 for this institution, for its repairs, buildings, and all 
expenses for two years. 



ASYLUM FOR FEEBLE MINDED CHILDREN. 

Glenwood., Mills County. 

Chapter 152 of the laws of the Sixteenth General Assembly, approved 
March 17, 1876, provided for the establishment of an asylum for feeble minded 
children at Glenwood, Mills County, and the buildings and grounds of the 



80 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

Soldiers' Orphans' Home at that place were to be used for that purpose. The 
asylum was placed under the management of three Trustees, one at least of 
■whom should be a resident of Mills County. Children between the ages of 7 
and 18 years are admitted. Ten dollars per month for each child actually sup- 
ported by the State was appropriated by the act, and ^2,000 for salaries of 
officers and teachers for two years. 

Hon. J. W. Cattell, of Polk County ; A. J. Russell, of Mills County, and 
W. S. Robertson, were appointed Trustees, who held their first meeting at 
Glen wood, April 26, 1876. Mr. Robertson was elected President; Mr, Russell, 
Treasurer, and Mr. Cattell, Secretary. The Trustees found the house and farm 
which had been turned over to them in a shamefully dilapidated condition. The 
fences were broken down and the lumber destroyed or carried away ; the win- 
dows broken, doors off their hinges, floors broken and filthy in the extreme, 
cellars reeking with offensive odors from decayed vegetables, and every conceiv- 
able variety of filth and garbage ; drains obstructed, cisterns bi'oken, pump 
demoralized, wind-mill broken, roof leaky, and the whole property in the worst 
possible condition. It was the first work of the Trustees to make the house 
tenable. This was done under the direction of Mr. Russell. At the request 
of the Trustees, Dr. Charles T. Wilbur, Superintendent of the Illinois Asylum, 
visited Glenwood, and made many valuable suggestions, and gave them much 
assistance. 

0. W. Archibald, M. D., of Glenwood, was appointed Superintendent, 
and soon after was appointed Secretary of the Board, vice Cattell, resigned. 
INlrs. S. A. Archibald was appointed Matron, and Miss Maud M. Archibald, 
Teacher. 

The Institution was opened September 1, 1876 ; the first pupil admitted 
September 4, and the school was organized September 10, with only five pupils, 
which number had, in November, 1877, increased to eighty-seven. December 
i, 1876, Miss Jennie Van Dorin, of Fairfield, Avas employed as a teacher and 
in the Spring of 1877, Miss Sabina J. Archibald was also employed. 

THE REFORM SCHOOL. 

JSldora, Hardin County. 

By "An act to establish and organize a State Reform School for Juvenile 
Offenders," approved March 31, 1868, the General Assembly established a 
State Reform School at Salem, Lee (Henry) County ; provided for a Board of 
Trustees, to consist of one person from each Congressional District. For the 
purpose of immediately opening the school, the Trustees were directed to accept 
the proposition of the Trustees of White's Iowa Manual Labor Institute, at 
Salem, and lease, for not more than ten years, the lands, buildings, etc., of the 
Institute, and at once proceed to prepare for and open a reform school as a 
temporary establishment. 

The contract for fitting up the buildings was let to Clark & Haddock, Sep- 
tember 21, 1868, and on the 7th of October following, the first inmate was 
received from Jasper County. The law provided for the admission of children 
of both sexes under 18 years of age. In 1876, this was amended, so that they 
are now received at ages over 7 and under 16 years. 

April 19, 1872, the Trustees were directed to make a permanent location 
for the school, and $45,000 was appropriated for the erection of the necessary 
buildings. The Trustees were further directed, as soon as practicable, to 
organize a school for girls in the buildings where the boys were then kept. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. ' 8:|. 

The Trustees located the school at Eldora, Hardin County, and in the Code 
of 1873, it is permanently located there by law. 

The institution is managed by five Trustees, "who are paid mileage, but no 
compensation for their services. 

The object is the reformation of the chiklren of both sexes, under the age 
of 16 years and over 7 years of age, and the law requires that the Trustees 
shall require the boys and girls under their cliarge to be instructed in piety and 
morality, and in such branches of useful knowledge as are adapted to their age 
and capacity, and in some regular course of labor, either mechanical, manufac- 
turing or agricultural, as is best suited to their age, strength, disposition and 
capacity, and as may seem best adapted to secure the reformation and future 
benefit of the boys and girls. 

A boy or girl committed to the State Reform School is there kept, disci- 
plined, instructed, employed and governed, under the direction of the Trustees, 
until he or she arrives at the age of majority, or is bound out, reformed or 
legally discharged. The binding out or discharge of a boy or girl as reformed, 
or having arrived at the age of majority, is a complete release from all penalties 
incurred by conviction of the ofiense for which he or she was committed. 

This is one step in the right direction. In the future, however, still further 
advances will be made, and the right of every individual to the fruits of their 
labor, even while restrained for the public good, will be recognized. 

FISH HATCHING ESTABLISHMENT. 

Near Anamosa, Jones County. 

The Fifteenth General Assembly, in 1874, passed " An act to provide for 
the appointment of a Board of Fish Commissioners for the construction of 
Fishways for the protection and propagation of Fisli," also "An act to provide 
for furnishing the rivers and lakes with fish and fish spawn." This act appro- 
priated $0,000 for the purpose. In accordance with the provisions of the first 
act above mentioned, on the 9th of April, 1874, S. B. Evans of Ottumwa, 
Wapello County ; B. F. Shaw of Jones County, and Charles A. Haines, of 
Black Hawk County, were appointed to be Fish Commissioners by the Governor. 
These Commissioners met at Des Moines, May 10, 1874, and organized by the 
election of Mr. Evans, President ; Mr. Shaw, Secretary and Superintendent, 
and Mr. Haines, Treasurer. 

The State was partitioned into three districts or divisions to enable the 
Commissioners to better superintend the construction of fishways as required by 
law. That part of the State lying south of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific 
Railroad was placed under the especial supervision of Mr. Evans ; that part be- 
tween that railroad and the Iowa Division of the Illinois Central Railroad, Mr. 
Shaw, and all north of the Illinois Central Railroad, Mr. Haines. At this 
meeting, the Superintendent was authorized to build a State Hatching House ; 
to procure the spawn of valuable fish adapted to the waters of Iowa ; hatch and 
prepare the young fish for distribution, and assist in putting them into the Avaters 
of the State. 

In compliance with these instructions, Mr. Shaw at once commenced work, 
and in the Summer of 1874, erected a " State Hatching House" near Anamosa, 
20x40 feet, two stories ; the second story being designed for a tenement ; the 
first story being the "hatching room." The hatching troughs are supplied 
with water from a magnificent spring four feet deep and about ten feet in diam- 
eter, afibrding an abundant and unfailing supply of pure running water/ During 
6 



82 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

the first year, from May 10, 1874, to May 10, 1875, the Commissioners distributed 
within the State 100,000 Shad, 300,000 California Sahnon, 10,000 Bass, 
80,000 Penobscot (Maine) Salmon, 5,000 land-locked Salmon, 20,000 of 
other species. 

By act approved March 10, 1876, the law was amended so that there should 
be but one instead of three Fish Commissioners, and B. F. Shaw was appointed, 
and the Commissioner was authorized to purchase twenty acres of land, on 
"which the State Hatching House was located near Anamosa. 

In the Fall of 1876, Commissioner Shaw gathered from the sloughs of the 
Mississippi, where they would have been destroyed, over a million and a half of 
small fish, which were distributed in the various rivers of the State and turned 
into the Mississippi. 

In 1875-6, 533,000 California Salmon, and in 1877, 303,500 Lake Trout 
were distributed in various rivers and lakes in the State. The experiment of 
stocking the small streams with brook trout is being tried, and 81,000 of the 
speckled beauties were distributed in 1877. In 1876, 100,000 young eels were 
distributed. These came from New York and they are increasing rapidly. 

At the close of 1877, there were at least a dozen private fish farms in suc- 
cessful operation in various parts of the State. Commissioner Shaw is en- 
thusiastically devoted to the duties of his office and has performed an important 
service for the people of the State by his intelligent and successful operations. 

The Sixteenth General Assembly passed an act in 1878, prohibiting the 
catching of any kind of fish except Brook Trout from March until June of each 
year. Some varieties are fit for food only during this period. 



THE PUBLIC LANDS. 

The grants of public lands made in the State of Iowa, for various purposes, 
are as follows : 

1. The 500,000 Acre Grant. 

2. The IGth Section Grant. 

3. The Mortgage School Lands. 

4. The University Grant. 
6. The Saline Grant. 

6. The De3 Moines River Grant. 

7. The Des Moines River School Lands. 

8. The Swamp Land Grant. 

9. The Railroad Grant. 

10. The Agricultural College Grant. 

I. THE FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND ACRE GRANT. 

When the State was admitted into the Union, she became entitled to 
500,000 acres of land by virtue of an act of Congress, approved September 4, 
1841, which granted to each State therein specified 500,000 acres of public land 
for internal improvements ; to each State admitted subsequently to the passage 
of the act, an amount of land which, with the amount that might hnve been 
granted to her as a Territory, would amount to 500,000 acres. All these lands 
were required to be selected within the limits of the State to which they were 
granted. 

The Constitution of Iowa declares that the proceeds of this grant, together 
with all lands then granted or to be granted by Congress for the benefit of 
schools, shall constitute a perpetual fund for the support of scliools throughout 
the State. By an act approved January 15, 1849, the Legislature established 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. S3 

a board of School Fund Commissioners, and to that board was confided the 
selection, care and sale of these lands for the benefit of the School Fund. Until 
1855, these Commissioners were subordinate to the Superinteudent of Public 
Instruction, but on the 15th of January of that year, they were clothed with 
exclusive authority in the management and sale of school lands. The office of 
School Fund Commissioner was abolished March 23, 1858, and that officer in 
each county was required to transfer all papers to and make full settlement with 
the County Judge. By this act. County Judges and Township Trustees were 
made the agents of the State to control and sell the sixteenth sections ; but no 
further provision was made for the sale of the 500,000 acre grant until April 
3d, 1860, Avhen the entire management of the school lands was committed to 
the Boards of Supervisors of the several counties. 

II. THE SIXTEENTH SECTIONS. 

By the provisions of the act of Congress admitting Iowa to the Union, there 
was granted to the new State the sixteenth section in every township, or wliere 
that section had been sold, other lands of like amount for the use of schools. 
The Constitution of the State provides that the proceeds arising from the sale 
of these sections shall constitute a part of the permanent School Fund. The 
control and sale of these lands were vested in the School Fund Commissioners 
of the several counties until March 23, 1858, when they were transferred to the 
County Judges and Township Trustees, and were finally placed under the 
supervision of the County Boards of Supervisors in January, 1861. 

III. THE MORTGAGE SCHOOL LANDS. 

These do not belong to any of the grants of land proper. They are lands 
that have been mortgaged to the school fund, and became school lands when bid 
off by the State by virtue of a law passed in 1862. Under the provisions of the 
law regulating the management and investment of the permanent school fund, 
persons desiring loans from that fund are required to secure the payment thereof 
with interest at ten per cent, per annum, by promissory notes endorsed by two 
good sureties and by mortgage on unincumbered real estate, which must be 
situated in the county where the loan is made, and which must be valued by 
three appraisers. Making these loans and taking the required securities was 
made the duty of the County Auditor, who was required to report to the Board 
of Supervisors at each meeting thereof, all notes, mortgages and abstracts of 
title connected with the school fund, for examination. 

When default was made of payment of money so secured by mortgage, and 
no arrangement made for extension of time as the law provides, the°Board of 
Supervisors were authorized to bring suit and prosecute it with diligence to 
secure said fond; and in action in favor of the county for the use of the school 
fund, an injunction may issue without bonds, and in any such action, when 
service is made by publication, default and judgment may be entered and 
enforced without bonds. In case of sale of land on execution founded on any 
such mortgage, the attorney of the board, or other person duly authorized, shall, 
on behalf of the State or county for the use of said fund, bid such sum as the 
mterests of said fund may require, and if struck off to the State the land shall 
be held and disposed of as the otlier lands belonging to the fnnd. These lands 
are known as the Mortgage School Lands, and reports of them, including 
description and amount, are required to be made to the State Land Office. 



84 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 



IV. UNIVER'SITY LANDS. 



By act of Congress, July 20, 1840, a quantity of land not exceeding two 
fmtire townships was reserved in the Territory of Iowa for the use and support 
of a university within said Territory when it should become a State. This land 
was to be located in tracts of not less than an entire section, and could be used 
for no other purpose than that designated in the grant. In an act supplemental 
to that for the admission of Iowa, March 3, 1845, the grant was renewed, and it 
was provided that the lands should be used "solely for the purpose of such 
university, in such manner as the Legislature may prescribe." 

Under this grant there were set apart and approved by the Secretary of the 
Treasury, for the use of the State, the following lands : 

ACRES. 

In the Iowa City Land District, Feb. 26, 1849 20,150.49 

In the Fairfield Land District, Oct. 17, 1849 9,685.20 

In the Iowa City Land District, Jan. 28, 1850 2,571.81 

In the Fairfield Land District, Sept. 10, 1850 3,198.20 

In the Dubuque Laud District, May 19, 1852 10,552.24 

Total 45,957.94 

These lands were certified to the State November 19, 1859. The University 
lands are placed by law under the control and management of the Board of 
Trustees of the Iowa State University. Prior to 1865, there had been selected 
and located under 282 patents, 22,892 acres in sixteen counties, and 23,036 
acres unpatented, making a total of 45,928 acres. 

V. — SALINE LANDS. 

By act of Congress, approved March 3, 1845, the State of Iowa was 
granted the use of the salt springs within her limits, not exceeding twelve. 
By a subsequent act, approved May 27, 1852, Congress granted the springs 
to the State in fee simple, together with six sections of land contiguous to each, 
to be disposed of as the Legislature might direct. In 1861, the proceeds of 
these lands then to be sold were constituted a fund for founding and support- 
ing a lunatic asylum, but no sales were made. In 1856, the proceeds of the 
saline lands were appropriated to the Insane Asylum, repealed in 1858. In 
1860, the saline lands and funds were made a part of the permanent fund of 
the State University. These lands were located in Appanoose, Davis, Decatur, 
Lucas, Monroe, Van Buren and Wayne Counties. 

VI. — THE DES MOINES RIVER GRANT. 

By act of Congress, approved August 8, 1846, a grant of land was made 
for the improvement of the navigation of Des Moines Kiver, as follows : 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in 
Congress assembled, That there be, and hereby is, granted to said Territory of Iowa, for the 
purpose of aiding said Territory to improve the navigation of the Des Moines River from its 
mouth to the Raccoon Fork (so called) in said Territory, one equal moiety, in alternate sections, 
of the public lands (remaining unsold and not otherwise disposed of, incumbered or appropri- 
ated), in a strip five miles in width on each side of said river, to be selected within said Terri- 
tory by an agent or agents to be appointed by the Governor thereof, subject to the approval of 
the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States. 

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the lands hereby granted shall not be conveyed 
or disposed of by said Territory, nor by any State to be formed out of the same, except as said 
improvement shall progress ; that is, the said Territory or State may sell so much of said lands 
as shall produce the sum of thirty thousand dollars, and then the sales shall cease until the Gov- 
ernor of saiil Territory or State shall certify the fact to the President of the United States that 
one-half of said sum has been expended upon said improvements, when the said Territory or 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 



85 



State may sell and convey a quantity of the residue of said lands sufficient to replace the amount 
expended, and thus the sales shall progress as the proceeds thereof shall be expended, and the 
fact of such expenditure shall be certified as aforesaid. 

Sec. 3. And be it further enacted. That the said River Des Moines shall be and forever 
remain a public highway for the use of the Government of the United States, free from any toll 
or other charge whatever, for any property of the United States or persons in their service 
passing through or along the same : Provided always, That it shall not be competent for the said 
Territory or future State of Iowa to dispose of said lands, or any of them, at a price lower than, 
for the time being, shall be the minimum price of other public lands. 

Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That whenever the Territory of Iowa shall be admitted 
into the Union as a State, the lands hereby granted for the above purpose shall be and become 
the property of said State for the purpose contemplated in this act, and for no other : Provided 
the Legislature of the State of Iowa shall accept the said grant for the said purpose." Approved 
Aug. 8, 1846. 

By joint resolution of the General Assembly of Iowa, approved January 9, 
1847, the grant was accepted for the purpose specified. By another act, ap- 
proved February 24, 1847, entited "An act creating the Board of Public 
Works, and providing for the improvement of the Des Moines River," the 
Legislature provided for a Board consisting of a President, Secretary and 
Treasurer, to be elected by the people. This Board was elected August 2, 
1847, and was organized on the 22d of September following. The same act 
defined the nature of the improvement to be made, and provided that the work 
should be paid for from the funds to be derived from the sale of lands to be 
sold by the Board. 

Agents appointed by the Governor selected the sections designated by "odd 
numbers" throughout the whole extent of the grant, and this selection was ap- 
proved by the Secretary of the Treasury. But there was a conflict of opinion 
as to the extent of the grant. It was held by some that it extended from the 
mouth of the Des Moines only to the Raccoon Forks ; others held, as the 
agents to make selection evidently did, that it extended from the mouth to the 
head waters of the river. Richard M. Young, Commissioner of the General 
Land Office, on the 23d of February, 1848, construed the grant to mean that 
" the State is entitled to the alternate sections within five miles of the Des 
Moines River, throughout the whole extent of that river within the limits of 
Iowa." Under this construction, the alternate sections above the Raccoon 
Forks Avould, of course, belong to the State; but on the 19th of June, 1848, 
some of these lands were, by proclamation, thrown into market. On the 18th 
of September, the Board of Public Works filed a remonstrance with the Com- 
missioner of the General Land Office. The Board also sent in a protest to the 
State Land Office, at which the sale was ordered to take place. On the 8th of 
January, 1849, the Senators and Representatives in Congress from Iowa also 
protested against the sale, in a communication to Hon. Robert J. Walker, Sec- 
retary of the Treasury, to which the Secretary replied, concurring in the 
opinion that the grant extended the whole length of the Des Moines River in 
Iowa. 

On the 1st of June, 1849, the Commissioner of the General Land Office 
directed the Register and Receiver of the Land Office at Iowa City "to with- 
hold from sale all lands situated in the odd numbered sections within five miles 
on each side of the Des Moines River abuve the Raccoon Forks." March 13, 
1850, the Commissioner of the General Land Office submitted to the Secretary 
of the Interior a list "showing the tracts falling within the limits of the Des 
Moines River grant, above the Raccoon Forks, etc., under the decision of the 
Secretary of the Treasury, of March 2, 1849," and on the 6th of April 
following, Mr. Ewing, then Secretary of the Interior, reversed the decision of 
Secretary Walker, but ordered the lands to bo withheld from sale until Con- 



86 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 



gress could have an opportunity to pass an explanatory act. The Iowa author- 
ities. appealed from this decision to the President (Taylor), who referred the 
matter to the Attorney General (Mr. Johnson). On the 19th of July, Mr. 
Johnson submitted as his opinion, that by the terms of the grant itself, it ex- 
tended to the very source of the Des Moines, but before his opinion was pub- 
lished President Taylor died. When Mr. Tyler's cabinet was formed, the 
question was submitted to the new Attorney General (Mr. Crittenden), who, on 
the 30th of June, 1851, reported that in his opinion the grant did not extend 
above the Raccoon Forks. Mr. Stewart, Secretary of the Interior, concurred 
Avith Mr. Crittenden at first,- but subsequently consented to lay the Avhole sub- 
ject before the President and Cabinet, who decided in favor of the State. 

October 29, 1851, Mr. Stewart directed the Commissioner of the General 
Land Office to "submit for his approval such lists as had been prepared, and to 
proceed to report for like approval lists of the alternate sections claimed by the 
State of Iowa above the Raccoon Forks, as far as the surveys have progressed, 
or may hereafter be completed and returned." And on the following day, three 
lists of these lands were prepared in the General Land Office. 

The lands approved and certified to the State of Iowa under this grant, and 
all lying above the Raccoon Forks, are as follows : 

By Secretary Stewart, Oct. 30. 1851 81,707.93 acres. 

March 10, 1852 143,908.37 " 

By Secretary McLellan, Dec. 17, 1853 33,142.43 " 

Dec. 30, 1853 12,813.51 " 

Total 271,572.24 acres. 

The Commissioners and Register of the Des Moines River Improvement, in 
their report to the Governor, November 30, 1852, estimates the total amount of 
lands then available for the work, including those in possession of the State and 
those to be surveyed and approved, at nearly a million acres. The indebtedness 
then standing against the fund was about $108,000, and the Commissioners 
estimated the work to be done would cost about $1,200,000. 

January 19, 1853, the Legislature authorized the Commissioners to sell 
" any or all the lands which have or may hereafter be granted, for not less than 
$1,300,000." 

On the 24th of January, 1853, the General Assembly provided for the elec- 
tion of a Commissioner by the people, and appointed two Assistant Commission- 
ers, with authority to make a contract, selling the lands of the Improvement 
for $1,300,000. This new Board made a contract, June 9, 1855, with the Des 
Moines Navigation & Railroad Company, agreeing to sell all the lands donated 
to the State by Act of Congress of August 8, 1846, which the State had not 
sold prior to December 23, 1853, for $1,300,000, to be expended on the im- 
provement of the river, and in paying the indebtedness then due. This con- 
tract was duly reported to the Governor and General Assembly. 

By an act approved January 25, 1855, the Commissioner and Register of 
the Des Moines River Improvement were authorized to negotiate with the Des 
Moines Navigation & Railroad Company for the purchase of lands in Webster 
County which had been sold by the School Fund Commissioner as school lands, 
but which had been certified to the State as Des Moines River lands, and had, 
therefore, become the property of the Company, under the provisions of its 
contract with the State. 

March' 21, 1856, the old question of the extent of the grant was again raised 
and the Commissioner of the General Land Office decided th^ it was limited to 



HISTOKY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 87 

the Raccoon Fork. Appeal was made to the Secretary of the Interior, and by 
him the matter was referred to the Attorney General, who decided that the grant 
extended to the northern boundary of the State; the State relinquished its 
claim to lands lying along the river in Minnesota, and the vexed question was 
supposed to be finally settled. 

The land which had been certified, as well as those extending to the north- 
ern boundary within the limits of the grant, were reserved from pre-emption 
and sale by the General Land Commissioner, to satisfy the grant of August 8, 
1846, and they Avere treated as having passed to the State, which from time to 
time sold portions of them prior to their final transfer to the Des Moines Navi- 
igation & Raih'oad Company, applying the proceeds thereof to the improve- 
ment of the river in compliance with the terms of the grant. Prior to the final 
sale to the Company, June 9, 1854, the State had sold about 327,000 acres, of 
which amount 58,830 acres were located above the Raccoon Fork. The last 
certificate of the General Land Office bears date December 30, 1853. 

After June 9th, 1854, the Des Moines Navigation & Railroad Company 
carried on the work under its contract with the State. As the improvement 
progressed, the State, from time to time, by its authorized officers, issued to the 
Company, in payment for said work, certificates for lands. But the General 
Land Office ceased to certify lands under the grant of 1846. The State 
had made no other provision for paying for the improvements, and disagree- 
ments and misunderstanding arose between the State authorities and the 
Company. 

March 22, 1858, a joint resolution was passed by the Legislature submitting 
a proposition for final settlement to the Company, which was accepted. The Com- 
pany paid to the State |20,000 in cash, and released and conveyed the dredge boat 
and materials named in the resolution ; and the State, on the 3d of May, 1858, 
executed to the Des Moines Navigation & Railroad Company fourteen deeds 
or patents to the lands, amounting to 256,703.64 acres. These deeds were 
intended to convey all the lands of this grant certified to the State by the Gen- 
eral Government not previously sold ; but, as if for the purpose of covering any 
tract or parcel that might have been omitted, the State made another deed of 
conveyance on the 18th day of May, 1858. These fifteen deeds, it is claimed, 
by the Company, convey 266,108 acres, of which about 53,367 are below the 
Raccoon Fork, and the balance, 212,741 acres, are above tliat point. 

Besides the lands deeded to the Company, the State had deeded to individual 
purchasers 58,830 acres above the Raccoon Fork, making an aggregate of 271,- 
571 acres, deeded above the Fork, all of which had been certified to the State 
by the Federal Government. 

By act approved March 28, 1858, the Legislature donated the remainder of 
the grant to the Keokuk, Fort Des Moines & Minnesota Railroad Company, 
upon condition that said Company assumed all liabilities resulting from the Des 
Moines River improvement operations, reserving 50,000 acres of the land in 
security for the payment thereof, and for the completion of the locks and dams 
at Bentonsport, Croton, Keosauqua and Plymouth. For every three thousand 
dollars' worth of work done on the locks and dams, and for every three thousand 
dollars paid by the Company of the liabilities above mentioned, the Register of 
the State Land Office was instructed to certify to the Company 1,000 acres of 
the 50,000 acres reserved for these purposes. Up to 1865, there had been pre- 
sented by the Company, under the provisions of the act of 1858, and allowed, 
claims amounting to $109,579.37, about seventy-five per cent, of Avhich had 
been settled. 



88 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

After the passage of the Act above noticed, the question of tho extent of tlio 
original grant Avas again mooted, and at the December Term of the Supreme Court 
of the United States, in 1859-00, a decision was rendered declaring that tlie 
grant did not extend above Raccoon Fork, and that all certificates of land ahrD-n 
the Fork had been issued without authority of law and were, therefore, void 
(see 23 How., QQ). 

The State of Iowa had disposed of a large amount of land without autliority, 
according to this decision, and appeal was made to Congress for relief, which 
was granted on the 3d day of March, 1861, in a joint resolution relinquishing 
to the State all the title which the United States then still retained in the tracts 
of land along the Des Moines River above Raccoon Fork, that had been im- 
properly certified to the State by the Department of the Interior, and Avhich is 
now held by bona fide purchasers under the State of Iowa. 

In confirmation of this relinquishment, bj act approved July 12, 1862, 
Congress enacted : 

That the grant of lands to the then Territory of Iowa for the improvement of the Des Jloines 
River, made by the act of August 8, 1846, is hereby extended so as to include the alternate sec- 
tions (designated by odd numbers) lying within five miles of said river, between the Raccoon 
Fork and the northern boundary of said State ; such lands are to be held and applied in accord- 
ance with the provisions of the original grant, except that the consent of Congress is hereby given 
to the application of a portion thereof to aid in the construction of the Keokuk, Fort Des Moines 
& Minnesota Railroad, in accordance with the provisions of the act of the General Assembly of 
the State of Iowa, approved March 22, 1858. And if any of the said lands shall have been sold 
or otherwise disposed of by the United States before the passage of this act, except those released 
by the United States to the grantees of the State of Iowa, under joint resolution of March 3, 
1861, the Secretary of the Interior is hereby directed to set apart an equal amount of lands within 
said State to be certified in lieu thereof; Provided, that if the State shall have sold and conveyed 
any portion of the lands lying within the limits of the grant the title of which has proved invalid, 
any lands which shall be certified to said State in lieu thereof by virtue of the provisions of this 
act, shall inure to and be held as a tfust fund for the benefit of the person or persons, respect- 
ively, whose titles shall have failed as aforesaid. 

The grant of lands by the above act of Congress was accepted by a joint 
resolution of the General Assembly, September 11, 1862, in extra session. On 
the same day, the Governor was authorized to appoint one or more Commis- 
sioners to select the lands in accordance with the grant. These Commissioners 
were instructed to report their selections to the Registrar of the State Land 
OflBce. The lands so selected were to be held for the purposes of the grant, and 
were not to be disposed of until further legislation should be had. D. W. Kil- 
burne, of Lee County, was appointed Commissioner, and, on the 25th day of 
April, 1864, the General Land Officer authorized the selection of 300,000 acres 
from the vacant public lands as a part of the grant of July 12, 1862, and the 
selections were made in the Fort Dodge and Sioux City Land Districts. 

Many difficulties, controversies and conflicts, in relation to claims and titles, 
grew out of this grant, and these difficulties were enhanced by the uncertainty 
of its limits until the act of Congress of July, 1862. But the General Assem- 
bly sought, by wise and appropriate legislation, to protect the integrity of titles 
derived from the State. Especially was the determination to protect the actual 
settlers, who liad paid their money and made improvements prior to the final 
settlement of the limits of the grant by Congress. 

VII. — THE DES MOINES RIVER SCHOOL LANDS. 

These lands constituted a part of the 500,000 acre grant made by Congress 
in 1841 ; including 28,378.46 acres in Webster County, selected by the Agent of 
the State under tliat grant, and approved by the Commissioner of the General 
Liind Office February 20, 1851. They were ordered into the market June 6, 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 8d_ 

1853, by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, who authorized John ToL 
man. School Fund Commissioner for Webster County, to sell them as school 
lands. Subsequently, when the act of 1846 was construed to extend the Des 
Moines River grant above Raccoon Foi'k, it was held that the odd numbered 
sections of these lands within five miles of the river were appropriated by that 
act, and on the 30th day of December, 1853, 12,813.51 acres were set apart 
and approved to the State by the Secretary of the Interior, as a part of the 
Des Moines River grant. January 6, 1854, the Commissioner of the General 
Land Office transmitted to the Superintendent of Public Instruction a certified 
copy of the lists of these lands, indorsed by the Secretary of the Interior, 
Prior to this action of the Department, however, Mr. Tolman had sold to indi- 
vidual purchasers 3,194.28 acres as school lands, and their titles were, of course, 
killed. For their relief, an act, approved April 2, 1860, provided that, upon 
application and proper showing, these purchasers should be entitled to draw 
from the State Treasury the amount they had paid, with 10 per cent, interest, 
on the contract to purchase made with Mr. Tolman. Under this act, five appli- 
cations were made prior to 1864, and the applicants received, in the aggregate, 
$949.53. 

By an act approved April 7, 1862, the Governor was forbidden to issue to 
the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad Company any certificate of the completion 
of any part of said road, or any conveyance of lauds, until the company should 
execute and file, in the State Land Office, a release of its claim — first, to cer- 
tain swamp lands; second, to the Des Moines River Lands sold by Tolman; 
third, to certain other river lands. That act provided that " the said company 
shall transfer their interest in those tracts of land in Webster and Hamilton 
Counties heretofore sold by John Tolman, School Fund Commissioner, to the 
Register of the State Land Office in trust, to enable said Register to carry out 
and perform said contracts in all cases when he is called upon by the parties 
interested to do so, before the 1st day of January, A. D. 1864. 

The company filed its release to the Tolman lands, in tlie Land Office, Feb- 
ruary 27, 1864, at the same time entered its protest that it hud no claim upon 
them, never had pretended to have, and had never sought to claim them. The 
Register of the State Land Office, under the advice of the Attorney General, 
decided that patents would be issued to the Tolman purchasers in all cases 
where contracts had been made prior to December 23, 1853, and remaining 
uncanceled under the act of i860. But before any were issued, on the 27th of 
August, 1864, the Des Moines Navigation & Railroad Company commenced a 
suit in chancery, in the District Court of Polk County, to enjoin the issue of 
such patents. On the 30th of August, an ex pa7-te injunction was issued. In 
January, 1868, Mr. J. A. Harvey, Register of the Land Office, filed in the 
court an elaborate answer to plaintiffs' petition, denying that the company had 
any right to or title in the lands. Mr. Harvey's successor, Mr. C. C. Carpen- 
ter, filed a still more exhaustive answer February 10, 1868. August 3, 1868, 
the District Court dissolved the injunction. The company appealed to the 
Supreme Court, where the decision of the lower court was affirmed in December, 
1869. 

VIII. — SWAMP LAND GRANT. 

By an act of Congress, approved March 28, 1850, to enable Arkansas and 
other States to reclaim swampy lands within their limits, granted all the swamp 
and overflowed lands remaining unsold within their respective limits to the 
several States. Although the total amount claimed by Iowa under this act 



90 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

does not exceed 4,000,000 acres, it has, like the Des Moines River and some 
of the land grants, cost the State considerable trouble and expense, and required 
a deal of legislation. The State expended large sums of money in making the 
selections, securing proofs, etc., but the General Government appeared to be 
laboring under the impression that Iowa was not acting in good faith ; that she 
had selected a large amount of lands under the swamp land grant, transferred 
her interest to counties, and counties to private speculators, and the General 
Land Office permitted contests as to the character of the lands already selected 
by the Agents of the State as "swamp lands." Congress, by joint resolution 
Dec. 18, 1856, and by act March 3, 1857, saved the State from the ftital result 
of this ruinous policy. Many of these lands were selected in 1854 and 1855, 
immediately after several remarkably wet seasons, and it was but natural that 
some portions of the selections would not appear swampy after a few dry seasons. 
Some time after these first selections were made, persons desired to enter 
parcels of the so-called swamp lands and offering to prove them to be dry. In 
such cases the General Land Office ordered hearing before the local land officers, 
and if they decided the land to be dry, it was permitted to be entered and the 
claim of the State rejected. Speculators took advantage of this. Affidavits 
Avere bought of irresponsible and reckless men, who, for a few dollars, would 
confidently testify to the character of lands they never saw. These applica- 
tions multiplied until they covered 3,000,000 acres. It was necessary that 
Congress should confirm all these selections to the State, that this gigantic 
scheme of fraud and plunder might be stopped. The act of Congress of 
March 3, 1857, was designed to accomplish this purpose. But the Commis- 
sioner of the General Land Office held that it Avas only a qualified confirma- 
tion, and under this construction sought to sustain the action of the Department 
in rejecting the claim of the State, and certifying them under act of May 15, 
1856, under which the railroad companies claimed all swamp land in odd num- 
bered sections within the limits of their respective roads. This action led to 
serious complications. When the railroad grant was made, it was not intended 
nor was it understood that it included any of the swamp lands. These were 
already disposed of by previous grant. Nor did the companies expect to 
receive any of them, but under the decisions of the Department adverse to the 
State the way was opened, and they were not slow to enter their claims. March 
4, 1862, the Attorney General of the State submitted to the General Assembly 
an opinion that the railroad companies were not entitled even to contest the 
right of the State to these lands, under the swamp land grant. A letter from 
the Acting Commissioner of the General Land Office expressed the same 
opinion, and the General Assembly by joint resolution, approved April 7, 1862, 
expressly repudiated the acts of the railroad companies, and disclaimed any 
intention to claim these lands under any other than the act of Congress of 
Sept. 28, 1850. A great deal of legislation has been found necessary in rela- 
tion to these swamp lands. 

IX. — THE RAILROAD GRANT. 

One of the most important grants of public lands to Iowa for purposes of 
internal improvement was that known as tlie "llailroad Grant," by act of 
Congress approved May 15, 1856. This act granted to tlie State of Iowa, for 
the purpose of aiding in the construction of railroads from Burlington, on the 
Mississippi River, to a point on the Missouri River, near the mouth of Platte 
River ; from the city of Davenport, via Iowa City and Fort Des Moines to 



HISTOUY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 



91 



Council BluiFs ; from Lyons City northwesterly to a point of intersection with 
the main line of the Iowa Central Air Line Railroad, near Maquoketa ; thence 
on said main line, running as near as practicable to the Forty-second Parallel ; 
across the said State of Iowa to the Missouri River ; from the city of Dubuque 
to a point on the Missouri River, near Sioux City, with a branch from the 
mouth of the Tete des Morts, to the nearest point on said road, to be com- 
pleted as soon as the main road is completed to that point, every alternate section 
of land, designated by odd numbers, for six sections in width on each side of 
said roads. It was also provided that if it shduld appear, when the lines of those 
roads were definitely fixed, that the United States had sold, or right of pre- 
emption had attached to any portion of said land, the State was authorized to 
select a quantity equal thereto, in alternate sections, or parts of sections, within 
fifteen miles of the lines so located. The lands remaining to the United States 
within six miles on each side of said roads were not to be sold for less than the 
double minimum price of the public lands when sold, nor were any of said lands 
to become subject to private entry until they had been first offered at public 
sale at the increased price. 

Section 4 of the act provided that the lands granted to said State shall be 
disposed of by said State only in the manner following, that is to say : that a 
quantity of land not exceeding one hundred and twenty sections for each of said 
roads, and included within a continuous length of twenty miles of each of said 
roads, may be sold ; and when the Governor of said State shall certify to the 
Secretary of the Interior that any twenty continuous miles of any of said roads 
is completed, then another quantity of land hereby granted, not to exceed one 
hundred and twenty sections for each of said roads having twenty continuous 
miles completed as aforesaid, and included within a continuous length of tAventy 
miles of each of such roads, may be sold ; and so from time to time until said 
roads are completed, and if any of said roads are not completed within ten 
years, no further sale shall be made, and the lands unsold shall revert to the 
United States." * 

At a special session of the General Assembly of Iowa, by act approved July 
14, 1856, the grant was accepted and the lands were granted by the State to 
the several railroad companies named, provided that the lines of their respective 
roads should be definitely fixed and located before April 1, 1857 ; and pro- 
vided further, that if either of said companies should fail to have seventy-five 
miles of road completed and equipped by the 1st day of December, 1859, and 
its entire road completed by December 1, 1865, it should be competent for the 
State of Iowa to resume all rights to lands remaining undisposed of by the 
company so failing. 

The railroad companies, with the single exception of the Iowa Central Air 
Line, accepted the several grants in accordance with the provisions of the above 
act, located their respective roads and selected their lands. The grant to the 
Iowa Central was again granted to the Cedar Rapids & Missouri River Railroad 
Company, which accepted them. 

By act, approved April 7, 1862, the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad Com- 
pany was required to execute a release to the State of certain swamp and school 
lands, included within the limits of its grant, in compensation for an extension 
of the time fixed for the completion of its road. 

A careful examination of the act of Congress does not reveal any special 
reference to railroad companies. The lands were granted to the State, and the 
act evidently contemplate the sale of them b^/ the State, and the appropriation 
of the proceeds to aid in the construction of certain lines of railroad within its 



92 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

limits. Section 4 of the act clearly defines the authority of the State in dis- 
posing of the lands. 

Lists of all the lands eqibraced by the grant were made, and certified to the 
State by the proper authorities. Under an act of Congress approved August 3, 
1854:, entitled ^'An act to vest in the several States and Territories the title in 
fee of the lands tvhich have been or may he certified to them,'' these certified lists, 
the originals of which are filed in the General Land Office, conveyed to Xlia State 
"the fee simple title to all the lands embraced in such lists that are of the char- 
acter contemplated " by the terms "bf the act making the grant, and "intended 
to be granted thereby ; but where lands embraced in such lists are not of the 
character embraced by such act of Congress, and were not intended to be granted 
thereby, said lists, so far as these lands are concerned, shall be perfectly null 
and void; and no right, title, claim or interest shall be conveyed thereby." 
Those certified lists made under the act of May 15, 1856, were forty-three in 
number, viz.: For the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad, nine ; for the 
Mississippi &• Missouri Railroad, 11; for the Iowa Central Air Line, thirteen; 
and for the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad, ten. The lands thus approved to 
the State were as follows : 

Burlington & Missouri Elver R. R 287,005.34 acres. 

Mississippi & Missouri River R. R 774,074.36 " 

Cedar Rapids & Missouri River R. R 775,454.19 " 

Dubuque & Sioux City R. R 1,226,558.32 '« 

A portion of these had been selected as swamp lands by the State, under 
the act of September 28, 1850, and these, by the terms of the act of August 3, 
1854, could not be turned over to the railroads unless the claim of the State to 
them as swamp was first rejected. It was not possible to determine from the 
records of the State Land Office the extent of the conflicting claims arising under 
the two grants, as copies of the swamp land selections in some of the counties 
were not filed of record. The Commissioner of the General Land Office, however, 
prepared lists of the lands claimed by the State as swamp under act of September 
28, 1850, and also claimed by the railroad companies under act of May 15, 
1856, amounting to 553,293.33 acres, the claim to which as swamp had been 
rejected by the Department. These were consequently certified to the State as 
railroad lands. There was no mode other than the act of July, 1856, prescribed 
for transferring the title to these lands from the State to the companies. The 
courts had decided that, for the purposes of the grant, the lands belonged to the 
State, and to her the companies should look for their titles. It was generally 
accepted that the act of the Legislature of July, 1856, was all that was neces- 
sary to complete the transfer of title. It was assumed that all the rights and 
powers conferred upon the State by the act of Congress of May 14, 1856, were 
by the act of the General Assembly transferred to the companies ; in other 
words, that it was designed to put the companies in the place of the State as the 
grantees from Congress — and, therefore, that which perfected the title thereto 
to the State perfected the title to the companies by virtue of the act of July, 
1856. One of the companies, however, the Burlington & Missouri River Rail- 
road Company, was not entirely satisfied with this construction. Its managers 
thought that some further and specific action of the State authorities in addition 
to the act of the Legislature was necessary to complete their title. This induced 
Gov. Lowe to attach to the certified lists his official certificate, under the broad 
seal of the State. On the 0th of November, 1859, the Governor thus certified 
to them (commencing at the Missouri River) 187,207.44 acres, and December 
27th, 43,775.70 acres, an aggregate of 231,073.14 acres. These were the only 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 93 

lands under the grant that were certified by the State authorities with any 
design of perfecting the title already vested in the company by the act of July, 
185G. The lists which Avere afterward furnished to the company were simply 
certified by the Governor as being correct copies of the lists received by the 
State from the United States General Land Office. These subsequent lists 
embraced lands that had been claimed by the State under the Swamp Land 
Grant. 

It was urged against the claim of the Companies that the effect of the act 
of the Legislature was simply to substitute them for the State as parties to the 
grant. 1st. That the lands were granted to the State to be held in trust for the 
accomplishment of a specific purpose, and therefore the State could not part 
with the title until that purpose should have been accomplished. 2d. That it 
was not the intention of the act of July 14, 1856, to deprive the State of the con- 
trol of the lands, but on the contrary that she should retain supervision of them 
and the right to withdraw all rights and powers and resume the title condition- 
ally conferred by that act upon the companies in the event of their failure to 
complete their part of the contract. 3d. That the certified lists from the Gen- 
eral Land Office vested the title in the State only by virtue of the act of Con- 
gress approved August 3, 1854. The State Land Office held that the proper 
construction of the act of July 14, 1856, when accepted by the companies, was 
that it became a conditional contract that might ripen into a positive sale of the 
lands as from time to time the work should progress, and as the State thereby 
became authorized by the express terms of the grant to sell them. 

This appears to have been the correct construction of the act, but by a sub- 
sequent act of Congress, approved June 2, 1864, amending the act of 1856, the 
terms of the grant were changed, and numerous controversies arose between the 
companies and the State. 

The ostensible purpose of this additional act was to allow the Davenport k 
Council Bluffs Railroad " to modify or change the location of the uncompleted 
portion of its line," to run through the town of Newton, Jasper County, or as 
nearly as practicable to that point. The original grant had been made to the 
State to aid in the construction of railroads Avithin its limits and not to the com- 
panies, but Congress, in 1864, appears to have been utterly ignorant of what 
had been done under the act of 1856, or, if not, to have utterly disregarded it. 
The State had accepted the original grant. The Secretary of the Interior had 
already certified to the State all the lands intended to be included in the grant 
within fifteen miles of the lines of the several railroads. It will be remembered 
that Section 4, of the act of May 15, 1856, specifies the manner of sale of 
these lands from time to time as work on the railroads should progress, and also 
provided that "if any of said roads are not completed within ten years, no fur- 
ther sale shall be made, and the lands unsold shall revert to the United States.'" 
Having vested the title to these lands in trust, in the State of Iowa, it is plain 
that until the expiration of the ten years there could be no reversion, and the 
State, not the United States, must control them until the grant should expire 
by limitation. The United States authorities could not rightfully require the 
Secretary of the Interior to certify directly to the companies any portion of 
the lands already certified to the State. And yet Congress, by its act of June 
2, 1864, provided that whenever the Davenport & Council Bluffs Railroad Com- 
pany should file in the General Land Office at Washington a map definitely 
showing such new location, the Seci-etary of the Interior should cause to be cer- 
tified and conveyed to said Company, from time to time, as the road progressed, 
out of any of the lands belonging to the United States, not sold, reserved, or 



94 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

otherwise disposed of, or to which a pre-emption claim or right of homestead had 
not attached, and on which a bona fide settlement and improvement had not 
been made under color of title derived from the United States or from the State 
of Iowa, within six miles of such newly located line, an amount of land per 
mile equal to that originally authorized to be granted to aid in the construction 
of said road by the act to which this was an amendment. 

The term " out of any lands belonging to the United States, not sold, re- 
served or otherwise disposed of, etc.," would seem to indicate that Congress did 
intend to grant lands already granted, but when it declared that the Company 
should have an amount per mile equal to that originally autJiorized to be granted, 
it is plain that the framers of the bill were ignorant of the real terms of the 
original grant, or that they designed that the United States should resume the 
title it had already parted with two years before the lands could revert to the 
United States under the original act, which was not repealed. 

A similar change was made in relation to the Cedar Rapids & Missouri 
Railroad, and dictated the conveyance of lands in a similar manner. 

Like provision was made for the Dubuque k Sioux City Railroad, and the 
Company was permitted to change the location of its line between Fort Dodge 
and Sioux City, so as to secure the best route between those points ; but this 
change of location was not to impair the right to the land granted in the orig- 
inal act, nor did it change the location of those lands. 

By the same act, the Mississippi & jMissouri Railroad Company was author- 
ized to transfer and assign all or any part of the grant to any other company or 
person, " if, in the opinion of said Company, the construction of said railroad 
across the State of Iowa would be thereby sooner and more satisfactorily com- 
pleted ; but such assignee should not in any case be released from the liabilities 
and conditions accompanying this grant, nor acquire perfect title in any other 
manner than the same would have been acquired by the original grantee." 

Still further, the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad was not forgotten, 
and was, by the same act, empowered to receive an amount of land per mile 
equal to that mentioned in the original act, and if that could not be found within 
the limits of six miles from the line of said road, then such selection might 
be made along such line within twenty miles thereof out of any public lands 
belonging to the United States, not sold, reserved or otherwise disposed of, or 
to which a pre-emption claim or right of homestead had not attached. 

Those acts of Congress, which evidently originated in the "lobby," occa- 
sioned much controversy and trouble. The Department of the Interior, how- 
ever, recognizing the fact that when the Secretary had certified the lands to the 
State, under the act of 1856, that act divested the United States of title, under 
the vesting act of August, 1854, refused to review its action, and also refused 
to order any and all investigations for establishing adverse claims (except in 
pre-emption cases), on the ground that the United States had parted with the 
title, and, therefore, could exercise no control over the land. 

May 12, 1864, before the passage of the amendatory act above described, 
Congress granted to the State of Iowa, to aid in the construction of a railroad 
from McGregor to Sioux City, and for the benefit of the McGregor Western 
Railroad Company, every alternate section of land, designated by odd numbers, 
for ten sections in width on each side of the proposed road, reserving the right 
to substitute other lands whenever it was found that the grant infringed upon 
pre-empted lands, or on lands that had been reserved or disposed of for any other 
purpose. In such cases, the Secretary of the Interior was instructed to select, in 
lieu, lands belonging to the United States lying nearest to the limits specified. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 95 

X. — AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE AND FARM LANDS. 

An Agricultural College and Model Farm was established by act of the 
General Assembly, approved March 22, 1858. By the eleventh section of the 
act, the proceeds of the five-section grant made for the purpose of aiding in the 
erection of public buildings was appropriated, subject to the approval of Con- 
gress, together with all lands that Congress might thereafter grant to the State 
for the purpose, for the benefit of the institution. On the 23d of March, by 
joint resolution, the Legislature asked the consent of Congress to the proposed 
transfer. By act approved July 11, 1862, Congress removed the restrictions 
imposed in the "five-section grant," and authorized the General Assembly to 
make such disposition of the lands as should be deemed best for the interests of 
the State. By these several acts, the five sections of land in Jasper County 
certified to the State to aid in the erection of public buildings under the act of 
March 3, 1845, entitled " An act supplemental to the act for the admission of 
the States of Iowa and Florida into the Union," were fully appropriated for 
the benefit of the Iowa Agricultural College and Farm. The institution is 
located in Story County. Seven hundred and twenty-one acres in that and 
two hundred in Boone County were donated to it by individuals interested in 
the success of the enterprise. 

By act of Congress approved July 2, 1862, an appropriation was made to 
each State and Territory of 30,000 acres for each Senator and Representative 
in Congress, to which, by the apportionment under the census of 1860, they 
were respectively entitled. This grant was made for the purpose of endowing 
colleges of agriculture and mechanic arts. 

Iowa accepted this grant by an act passed at an extra session of its Legis- 
lature, approved September 11, 1862, entitled "An act to accept of the grant, 
and carry into execution the trust conferred upon the State of Iowa by an act 
of Congress entitled ' An act granting public lands to the several States and 
Territories which may provide colleges for the benefit of agriculture and the 
mechanic arts,' approved July 2, 1862." This act made it the duty of the 
Governor to appoint an agent to select and locate the lands, and provided 
that none should be selected that were claimed by any county as swamp 
lands. The agent was required to make report of his doings to the Governor, 
who was instructed to submit the list of selections to the Board of Trustees of 
the Agricultural College for their approval. One thousand dollars were appro- 
priated to carry the law into effect. The State, having two Senators and six 
Representatives in Congress, was entitled to 240,000 acres of land under this 
grant, for the purpose of establishing and maintaining an Agricultural College. 
Peter Melendy, Esq., of Black Hawk County, was appointed to make the selec- 
tions, and during August, Septembe-r and December, 1863, located them in the 
Fort Dodge, Des Moines and Sioux City Land Districts. December 8, 1864, 
these selections were certified by the Commissioner of the General Land Office, 
and were approved to the State by the Secretary of the Interior December 13, 
1864. The title to these lands was vested in the State in fee simple, and con- 
flicted with no other claims under other grants. 

The agricultural lands were approved to the State as 240,000.96 acres ; but 
as 35,691.66 acres were located within railroad limits, which were computed at 
the rate of two acres for one, the actual amount of land approved to the State 
under this grant was only 204,309.30 acres, located as follows: 

In Des Moines Land District 6,804.96 acres. 

In Sioux City Land District 59.025.37 " 

In Fort Dodge Land District 138,478.97 «' 



96 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 



By act of the General Assembly, approved March 29, 1864, entitled, " An 
act authorizing the Trustees of the Iowa State Agricultural College and Farm 
to sell all lands acquired, granted, donated or appropriated for the benefit of 
said college, and to make an investment of the proceeds thereof," all these lands 
were granted to the Agricultural College and Farm, and the Trustees were au- 
thorized to take possession, and sell or lease them. They were then, under the 
control of the Trustees, lands as follows : 

Under the act of July 2, 1852 204,309.30 acres. 

Of the five-section grant 3.200.00 " 

Lands donated in Story County 721.00 " 

Lands donated in Boone County 200.00 '< 

Total 208,430.30 acres. 

The Trustees opened an office at Fort Dodge, and appointed Hon. G. W* 
Bassett their agent for the sale of these lands. 

THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

The germ of the free public school system of Iowa, which now ranks sec- 
ond to none in the United States, was planted by the first settlers. They had 
migrated to the " The Beautiful Land " from other and older States, where the 
common school system had been tested by many years' experience, bringing 
with them some knowledge of its advantages, which they determined should be 
enjoyed by the children of the land of their adoption. The system thus planted 
was expanded and improved in the broad fields of the West, until now it is 
justly considered one of the most complete, comprehensive and liberal in the 
country. 

Nor is this to be wondered at when it is remembered humble log school 
houses were built almost as soon as the log cabin of the earliest settlers were 
occupied by their brave builders. In the lead mining regions of the State, the 
first to be occupied by the white race, the hardy pioneers provided the means 
for the education of their children even before they had comfortable dwellings 
for their families. School teachers were among the first immigrants to Iowa. 
Wherever a little settlement was made, the school house was the first united 
public act of the settlers; and the rude, primitive structures of the early time 
only disappeared when the communities had increased in population and wealth, 
and were able to replace them with more commodious and comfortable buildings. 
Perhaps in no single instance has the magnificent progress of the State of Iowa 
been more marked and rapid than in her common school system and in her school 
houses, which, long since, superseded the log cabins of the first settlers. To- 
day, the school houses which everywhere dot the broad and fertile prairies of 
Iowa are unsurpassed by those of any other State in the great Union. More 
especially is this true in all her cities and villages, where liberal and lavish 
appropriations have been voted, by a generous people, for the erection of large, 
commodious and elegant buildings, furnished with all the modern improvements, 
and co.sting from ^10,000 to $60,000 each. The people of the State have ex- 
pended more than $10,000,000 for the erection of public school buildings. 

;. The first house erected in Iowa was a log cabin at Dubuque, built by James 
L. Langworthy and a few other miners, in the Autumn of 18o3. When it was 
completed, George Cabbage was employed as teacher during the Winter of 
1833-4, and thirty-five pupils attended his school. Barrett Whittemore taught 
the second term with twenty-five pupils in attendance. Mrs. Caroline Dexter 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 97 

commenced teaching in Dubuque in March, 1836. She was the first female 
teacher there, and probably the first in Iowa. In 1839, Thomas H. Benton, 
Jr., afterward for ten years Superintendent of Public Instruction, opened an 
English and classical school in Dubuque. The first tax for the support of 
schools at Dubuque was levied in 1840. 

Among the first buildings erected at Burlington was a commodious log school 
house in 1834, in which Mr. Johnson Pierson taught the first school in the 
Winter of 1834-5. 

The first school in Muscatine County was taught by George Bumgardner, 
in the Spring of 1837, and in 1839, a log school house was erected in Musca- 
tine, which served for a long time for school house, church and public hall. 
The first school in Davenport was taught in 1838. In Fairfield, Miss Clarissa 
Sawyer, James F. Chambers and Mrs. Reed taught school in 1839. 

When the site of Iowa City was selected as the capital of the Territory of 
Iowa, in May, 1839, it was a perfect wilderness. The first sale of lots took 
place August 18, 1839, and before January 1, 1840, about twenty families had 
settled within the limits of the town ; and during the same year, Mr. Jesse 
Berry opened a school in a small frame building he had erected, on what is now 
College street. 

The first settlement in Monroe County was made in 1843, by Mr. John R. 
Gray, about two miles from the present site of Eddyville; and in the Summer 
of 1844, a log school house was built by Gray, William V. Beedle, C. Renfro, 
Joseph McMullen and Willou'ghby Randolph, and the first school was opened 
by Miss Urania Adams. The building Avas occupied for school purposes for 
nearly ten years. About a year after the first cabin was built at Oskal©osa, a 
log school house was built, in which school was opened by Samuel W. Caldwell 
in 1844. 

At Fort Des Moines, now the capital of the State, the first school was 
taught by Lewis Whitten, Clerk of the District Court in the Winter of 1846-7, 
in one of the rooms on " Coon Row," built for barracks. 

The first school in Pottawattomie County was opened by George Green, a 
Mormon, at Council Point, prior to 1849 ; and until about 1854, nearly, if not 
quite, all the teachers in that vicinity were Mormons. 

The first school in Decorah was taught in 1853, by T. W. Burdick, then a 
young man of seventeen. In Osceola, the first school was opened by Mr. D. 
W. Scoville. The first school at Fort Dodge was taught in 1855, by Cyrus C. 
Carpenter, since Governor of the State. In Crawford County, the first school 
house was built in Mason's Grove, in 1856, and Morris McHenry first occupied 
it as teacher. 

During the first twenty years of the history of Iowa, the log school house pre- 
vailed, and in 1861, there were 893 of these primitive structures in use for 
school purposes in the State. Since that time they have been gradually dis- 
appearing. In 1865, there were 796; in 1870, 336, and in 1875, 121. 

loAva Territory was created July 3, 1838. January 1, 1839, the Territorial 
Legislature passed an act providing that " there shall be established a C(jmmon 
school, or schools in each of the counties in this Territory, which shall be 
open and free for every class of white citizens between the ages of five and 
twenty-one years." The second section of the act provided that " the County 
Board shall, from time to time, form such districts in their respective counties 
whenever a petition may be presented for the purpose by a majority of the 
voters resident within such contemplated district." These districts were gov- 
erned by boards of trustees, usually of three persons ; each district was required 
7 • 



98 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

to maintain scliool at least three inuuths in every year ; and later, laws were 
enacted providing for county scliool taxes for the payment of teachers, and that 
whatever additional sura might be required should be assessed upon the parents 
sending, in proportion to the length of time sent. 

When Iowa Territory became a State, in 1846, with a population of 100,- 
000, and with 20,000 scholars within its limits, about four hundred school dis- 
tricts had been organized. In 1850, there were 1,200, and in 1857, the 
number had increased to 3,265. 

In March, 1858, upon the recommendation of Hon. M. L. Fisher, then Su- 
perintendent of Public Instruction, the Seventh General Assembly enacted that 
" each civil township is declared a school district," and provided that these should 
be divided into sub-districts. This law went into force March 20, 1858, and 
reduced the number of school districts from about 3,500 to less than 900. 

This change of school organization resulted in a very material reduction of 
the expenditures for the compensation of District Secretaries and Treasurers. 
An effort was made for several years, from 1867 to 1872, to abolish the sub- 
district system. Mr. Kissell, Superintendent, recommended, in his report of 
January 1, 1872, and Governor Merrill forcibly endorsed his views in his annual 
message. But the Legislature of that year provided for the formation of inde- 
pendent districts from the sub-districts of district townships. 

The system of graded schools was inaugurated in 1849 ; and new schools, in 
which more than one teacher is employed, are universally graded. 

The first official mention of Teachers' Institutes in the educational records 
of Iowa occurs in the annual report of Hon. Thomas H. Benton, Jr., made 
December 2, 1850, who said, "An institution of this character was organized a 
few years ago, composed of the teachers of the mineral regions of Illinois, 
Wisconsin and Iowa. An association of teachers has, also, been formed in the 
county of Henry, and an effort was made in October last to organize a regular 
institute in the county of Jones." At that time — although the beneficial 
influence of these institutes was admitted, it was urged that the expenses of 
attending them was greater than teachers with limited compensation were able 
to bear. 'Vo obviate this objection, Mr. Benton recommended that '' the sum of 
$150 should be appropriated annually for three years, to be drawn in install- 
ments of $50 each by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and expended 
for these institutions." He proposed that three institutes should be held annu- 
ally at points to be designated by the Superintendent. 

No legislation in this direction, however, was had until March, 1858, when 
an act was passed authorizing the holding of teachers' institutes for periods not 
less than six working days, whenever not less than thirty teachers should desire. 
The Superintendent was authorized to expend not exceeding $100 for any one 
institute, to be paid out by the County Superintendent as the institute might 
direct for teachers and lecturers, and one thousand dollars was appropriated to 
defray the expenses of these institutes. 

Decem])er 6, 1858, Mr. Fisher reported to the Board of Education that 
institutes had been appointed in twenty counties within the preceding six months, 
and more woidd have been, but the appropriation had been exhausted. 

The Board of Education at its first session, commencing December 6, 1858, 
enacted a code of school laws which retained the existing provisions for teachers' 
institutes. 

In March, 1860, the General Assembly amended the act of the Board by 
appropriating " a sum not exceeding fifty dollars annually for one such institute, 
held as provided by law in each county." 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 99 

In 1865, Mr. Faville reported that " the provision made by the State for the 
benefit of teachers' institutes has never been so fully appreciated, both by the 
people and the teachers, as during the last two years." 

By act approved March 19, 1874, Normal Institutes were established in 
each county, to be held annually by the County Superintendent. This was 
regarded as a very decided step in advance by Mr. Abernethy, and in 1876 the 
Sixteenth General Assembly established the first permanent State Normal 
School at Cedar Falls, Black Hawk County, appropriating the building and 
property of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home at that place for that purpose. This 
school is now " in the full tide of successful experiment." 

The public school system of Iowa is admirably organized, and if the various 
officers who are entrusted with the educational interests of the commonwealth 
are faithful and competent, should and will constantly improve. 

" The public schools are supported by funds arising from several sources. 
The sixteenth section of every Congressional Township was set apart by the 
General Government for school purposes, being one-thirty-sixth part of all the 
lands of the State. The minimum price of these lands was fixed at one dollar 
and twenty-five cents per acre. Congress also made an additional donation to 
the State of five hundred thousand acres, and an appropriation of five per cent. 
on all the sales of public lands to the school fund. The State gives to this 
fund the proceeds of the sales of all lands which escheat to it ; the proceeds of 
all fines for the violation of the liquor and criminal laws. The money derived 
from these sources constitutes the permanent school fund of the State, which 
cannot be diverted to any other purpose. The penalties collected by the courts 
for fines and forfeitures go to the school fund in the counties where collected. 
The proceeds of the sale of lands and the five per cent, fund go into the State 
Treasury, and the State distributes these proceeds to the several counties accord- 
ing to their request, and the counties loan the money to individuals for long 
terms at eight per cent, interest, on security of land valued at three times the 
amount of the loan, exclusive of all buildings and improvements thereon. The 
interest on these loans is paid into the State Treasury, and becomes the avail- 
able school fund of the State. The counties are responsible to the State for all 
money so loaned, and the State is likewise responsible to the school fund for all 
moneys transferred to the counties. The interest on these loans is apportioned 
by the State Auditor semi-annually to the several counties of the State, in pro- 
portion to the number of persons between the ages of five and twenty-one years. 
The counties also levy an annual tax for school purposes, which is apportioned 
to the several district townships in the same way. A district tax is also 
levied for the same purpose. The money arising from these several sources 
constitutes the support of the public schools, and is sufficient to enable 
every sub-district in the State to afibrd from six to nine months' school 
each year." 

The taxes levied for the support of schools are self-imposed. Under the 
admirable school laws of the State, no taxes can be legally assessed or collected 
for the erection of school houses until they have been ordered by the election of 
the district at a school meeting legally called. The school houses of Iowa are 
the pride of the State and an honor to the people. If they have been some- 
times built at a prodigal expense, the tax payers have no one to blame but 
themselves. The teachers' and contingent funds are determined by the Board of 
Directors under certain legal restrictions. These boards are elected annually, 
except in the independent districts, in which the board may be entirely changed 
every three years. 



lOQ ** HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

POLITICAL RECORD. 

TERRITORIAL OFFICERS. 

Governors — Robert Lucas, 1838-41 ; John Chambers, 1841-45 ; James 
Clarke, 1845. 

Secretaries — William B. Conway, 1838, died 1839 ; James Clarke, 1839 ; 
0. H. W. Stull, 1841 ; Samuel J. Burr, 1843 ; Jesse Williams, 1845. 

Auditors— Jesse Williams, 1840; Wm. L. Gilbert, 1843- Robert M. 
Secrest, 1845. 

Treasurers — Thornton Bayliss, 1839 ; Morgan Reno, 1840. 

Judges — Charles Mason, Chief Justice, 1838 ; Joseph Williams, 1838 ; 
Thomas S. Wilson, 1838. 

Presidents of Council — Jesse B. Browne, 1838-'J ; Stephen Hempstead, 
1839-40; M. Bainridge, 1840-1; Jonathan W. Parker, 1841-2; John D. 
Elbert, 1842-3 ; Thomas Cox, 1843-4 ; S. Clinton Hastings, 1845 ; Stephen 
Hempstead, 1845-6. 

Speakers of the House — William H. Wallace, 1838-9 ; Edward Johnston, 
1839-40 ; Thomas Cox, 1840-1 ; Warner Lewis, 1841-2 ; James M. Morgan, 
1842-3 ; James P. Carleton, 1843-4 ; James M. Morgan, 1845 ; George W. 
McCleary, 1845-6. 

First Co7istitutional Convention, ISIflf, — Shepherd Leffler, President ; Geo. 
S. Hampton, Secretary. 

Second Constitutional Convention, 18Jf6 — Enos Lowe, President ; William 
Thompson, Secretary. 

OFFICERS OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT. 

Governors — Ansel Briggs, 1846 to 1850; Stephen Hempstead, 1850 to 
1854; James W. Grimes, 1854 to 1858; Ralph P. Lowe, 1858 to 1860; 
Samuel J. Kirkwood, 1860 to 1864; William M. Stone, 1864 to 1868; Sam- 
uel Morrill, 1868 to 1872; Cyrus C. Carpenter, 1872 to 1876; Samuel J. 
Kirkwood, 1876 to 1877; Joshua G. Newbold, Acting, 1877 to 1878; John 
H. Gear, 1878 to 1882; Buren R. Sherman, 1882 to . 

Lieuicnant Governor — Office created by the new constitution Septem- 
ber 3, 1857— Oran Faville, 1858-9; Nicholas J. Rusch, 1860-1; John R. 
Needham, 1862-3; Enoch W.Eastman, 1864-5; Benjamin F. Gue, 1866-7; 
John Scott, 1868-9; M. M. Walden, 1870-1; H. C. Bulis, 1872-3; Joseph 
Dysart, 1874-5; Joshua G. Newbold, 1876-7; Frank T. Campbell, 
1878-9; O. H. Manning, 1880-82. 

Secretaries of State — Elisha Cutler, Jr., Dec. 5, 1846, to Dec. 4, 1848; 
Josiah H. Bonney, Dec. 4, 1848, to Dec. 2, 1850; George W. McCleary, 
Dec. 2, 1850, to Dec. 1, 1856; Elijah Sells, Dec. 1, 1856, to Jan. 5, 1863; 
James Wright, Jan. 5, 1863, to Jan. 7, 1867; Ed. Wright, Jan. 7, 1867, to 
Jan. 6, 1873; Josiah T. Young, Jan. 6, 1873, to Jan. 6, 1879; J. A. T. 
Hull, 1879, to 

Auditors oj State— ]ose^h T. Fales, Dec. 5, 1846, to Dec. 2, 1850; Will- 
iam Pattee, Dec. 2, 1850, to Dec. 4, 1854; Andrew J. Stevens, Dec. 4, 
1854, resigned in lS55;John Pattee, Sept. 22, 1855, to Jan. 3, 1859; Jona- 
than W.Cattell, 1859 to 1865; John A. Elliot, 1865 to 1871; John Russell, 
1871 to 1875; Buren R. Sherman, 1875 to 1881; Wm. V. Lucas, 1881 to 
1883. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 101 

Treasurers o/" xSV^//'^:— Morjjan Reno, Dec. 18, 1816, to Dec. 2, 1850; 
Israel Kister,Dec. 2, 1850, to Dec. 4, 1852; Martin L. Morris, Dec. 4, 1852, 
to Jan. 2, 1859; John W. Jones, 1859 to 1863; William H. Holmes, 1863 to 
1867; Samuel E. Rankin, 1867 to 1873; William Christy, 1873 to 1877; 
George W. Bemis, 1877 to 1881; E. H. Conger, 1881 to 

Superintendents of Public Instruction — Office created in 1847 — James 
Harlan, June 5,1845 (Supreme Court decided election void); Thomas H. 
Benton, Jr., May 23, 1844, to June 7, 1854; James D. Eads, 1854-7; Joseph 
C. Stone, March to June, 1857; Maturin L. Fisher, 1857 to Dec, 1858, 
when the office was abolished and the duties of the office devolved upon 
the Secretary of the Board of Education. 

Secretaries of the Board of Education — Thomas H. Benton, Jr., 1859 
to 1863; Oran Faville, Jan. 1, 1864. Board abolished March 23, 1864. 

Superintendents of Public Instruction — Office re-created March 23, 
1864— Oran Faville, March 28,1864, resigned March 1, 1867; D. Franklin 
Wells, March 4, 1867, to Jan., 18Y0: A. S. Kissell, 1870 to 1872; Alonzo 
Abernethy, 1872 to 1877; Carl W. Von Coelln, 1877 to 1882; John W. 
Akers, 1882 to 

State Binders — Office created February 21, 1855 — William M. Coles, 
May 1, 1855, to May 1, 1859; Frank M. Mills, 1859 to 1867; James S. ' 
Carter, 1867 to 1870; J. J. Smart, 1870 to 1874; H. A. Perkins, 1874 to 
1875; James J. Smart, 1875 to 1876; H. A. Perkins, 1876 to 1880; Matt 
Parrott, 1880 to 

Registers of tJie State Land Office — Anson Hart, May 5, 1855, to May 
13, 1857; Theodore S. Parvin, May 13, 1857, to Jan. 3, 1859; Amos B. 
Miller, Jan. 3,1859, to Oct., 1862; Edwin Mitchell, Oct. 31, 1862, to Jan. 
5, 1863; Josiah A. Harvey, Jan. 5, 1863, to Jan. 7, 1867; Cyrus C. Car- 
penter, Jan. 7, 1867, to January, 1871; Aaron Brown, Jan., 1871, to Jan., 
1875; David Secor, Jan. 187-5,^0 18S1; J. K. Powers, 1881 to . 

State Printers — Office created Jan. 3, 1840 — Garret D. Palmer and 
George Paul, 1849; WiUiam H. Merritt, 1851 to 1853; William A. Horn- 
ish, 1853 (resigned May 16, 1853); Mahoney & Dorr, 1853 to 1855; Peter 
Moriarty, 1855 to 1857; John Teesdale, 1857 to 1861; Francis W. Palmer, 
1861 to 1869; Frank M. Mills, 1869 to 1870; G. W.Edwards, 1870 to 
1872; R. P. Clarkson, 1872 to 1880; F. M. Mills, 1880 to 1882. 

Adjutants General— Darnel S. Lee, 1851-55; George W. McCleary, 
1855-7; Elijah Sells, 1857; Jesse Bowen, 1857-61; Nathaniel Baker, 1861 
to 1877; John H. Looby, lb77 to 1881; W. L. Alexander, 1881 to . 

Attorneys General— David C. Cloud, 1853-56; Samuel A. Rice, 1856- 
60; Charles C. Nourse, 1861-64; Isaac L. Allen, 1865 (resigned January, 
1866); Frederick E. Bissell, 1866 (died June 12, 1867; Henry O'Connor, 

1867-72; Marsena E. Cutts, 1872-76; John F. Mcjunkin, 1877-81; Smith 
McPherson, 1881 to 

Presidents of the 6V;/«/e— Thomas Baker, 1846-47; Thomas Hughes, 
1848; John J.Selman, 1848-9; Enos Lowe, 1850-51; William E. Leffing- 
well, 1852-53; Maturm L. Fisher, 1854-55; WilHam W. Hamilton, 
1856-57. Under the new Constitution, the Lieutenant Governor is Presi- 
dent of the Senate. 



102 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

Speakers of the House— ]esse B. Brown, 1847-48, Smiley H. Bonhan, 
1849-50; George Temple, 1851-52; James Grant, 1853-54; Reuben 
Noble, 1855-56; Samuel McFarland, 1856-57; Stephen B. Sheledy, 
1858-59; John Edwards, 1860-61; Rush Clark, 1862-63; Jacob Butler, 
1864-65; Ed. Wright, 1866-67; John Russell, 1868-69; Aylett R.Cotton, 
1870-71; James Wilson, 1872-73; John H. Gear, 1874-77; John Y. Stone, 
1878; Lore Alford, 1880; Geo. R.Struble, 1882. 

JVezv Constikitional Convention^ 185^ — Francis Springer, President; 
Thos. J. Saunders, Secretary. 

THE JUDICIARY. — SUPREME COURT OF IOWA. 

Chief Justices. — Charles Mason, resigned in June, 1847; Joseph Wil- 
liams, "Jan., 1847, to Jan., 1848; S. Clinton Hastings, Jan., 1848, to Jan., 
1849; Joseph Williams, Jan., 1849, to Jan. 11, 1855; Geo. G. Wright, Jan. 
11, 1855, to Jan., 1860; Ralph P. Lowe, Jan., 1860, to Jan. 1, 1862; Caleb 
Baldwin, Jan., 1862, to Jan., 1864; Geo. G. Wright, Jan., 1864, to Jan., 
1866; Ralph P. Lowe, Jan., 1866, to Jan., 186«; John F. Dillon, Jan., 1868, 




to Jan. 1, 1877; James G. Day, Jan. 1, 1877, to Jan. 1, 1878; James H. 
Rothrock, Jan. 1, 1878-79; Austin Adams, 1880-81; Wm. H. Seevers, 
1882-83. 

Associate Judges. —^osqy>^\ Williams; Thomas S.Wilson, resigned Oct., 
1847; John F. Kinney, June 12, 1847, resigned Feb. 15, 1854; George 
Greene, Nov. 1, 1847, to Jan. 9, 1855; Jonathan C. Hall, Feb. 15, 1854, to 
succeed Kinney, resigned, to Jan., 1855; William G. Woodward, Jan. 9, 
1855; Norman W. Isbell, Jan. 16, 1855, resigned 1856; Lacen D. Stock- 
ton, June 3, 1856, to succeed Isbell, resigned, died June 9, 1860; Caleb 
Baldwin. Jan. 11, 1860, to 1864; Ralph P. Lowe, Jan. 12, 1860; George 
G. Wright, June 26, 1860, to succeed Stockton, deceased; elected U. S. 
Senator, 1870; John F. Dillon, Jan. 1, 1864, to succeed Baldwin, resigned, 
1870; Chester C. Cole, March 1, 1864, to 1877; Joseph M. Beck, Jan. 1, 
1868; W. E. Miller, Oct. 11, 1864, to succeed Dillon, resigned; James G. 
Day,'jan. 1, 1871, to succeed Wright; Austin Adams, to 1886; James 
H. Rothrock, 1884. 

SUPREME COURT. 

William H. Seevers, Mahaska county. Chief Justice; James H. Roth- 
rock, Cedar county. Associate Justice; Joseph M. Beck, Lee county. Asso- 
ciate Justice; Austin Adams, Dubuque county. Associate Justice; James 
G. Day, Fremont county. Associate Justice. 

CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATION. 

UNITED STATES SENATORS. 

(The first General Assembly failed to elect Senators.) 

George W. Jones, Dubuque, Dec. 7, 1848-1858 ; Augustus C. Dodge, Bur- 
lington, Dec. 7, 1848-1855; James Harlan, Mt. Pleasant, Jan. 6, 1855-1865; 
James W. Grimes, Burhngton, Jan. 26, 1858-died 1870 ; Samuel J. Kirkwood, 
Jowa City, elected Jan. 13, 1866, to fill vacancy caused by resignation of James 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 



103 



Harlan ; James Harlan, Mt. Pleasant, March 4, 1866-1872 ; James B. Howell, 
Keokuk, elected Jan. 20, 1870, to fill vacancy caused by the death of J. W. 
Grimes— term expired March 3d; George G. Wright, Des Momes, March 4, 
1871-1877; AVilliam B. Allison, Dubuque, March 4, 1872; Samuel J. Kirk- 
wood, March 4, 1877. 

MEMBERS OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. 

Twenty-ninth Congress— 18J^6 to 18^7.-8. Clinton Hastings ; Shepherd 

Leffler. ttt-it mi 

Thirtieth Congress— 18 J^7 to 184-9.— Yir^i District, William Thompson; 

Second District, Shepherd Leffler. , 

Thirty-first Congress— 18^9 to I851.—Y\r^t District, First Session, Wm. 
Thompson ; unseated by the House of Representatives on a contest, and election 
remanded 'to the people. First District, Second Session, Daniel F. Miller. 
Second District, Shepherd Leffler. 

Thirty-second Congress— 1851 to 1853.—Y\x&l District, Bernhart Henn. 
Second District, Lincoln Clark. 

Thirty-third Congress— 1853 to i555.— First District, Bernhart Henn. 
Second District, John P. Cook. 

Thirty-fourth Congress— 1855 to i557.— First District, Augustus Hall. 
Second District, James Thorington. ■, t^ ^ .. 

Thirty-fifth Congress— 1857 to 1859.— ¥irst District, Samuel R. Curtis. 
Second District, Timothy Davis. i t. n r 

Thirty-sixth Congress— 1859 to 1861.— First District, Samuel R. Curtis. 
Second District, William Vandever. -^. . t.- o • 

Thirty-seventh Congress— 1861 to J863.—¥irst District, First Session, 
Samuel R. Curtis.* First District, Second and Third Sessions, James 1. Wil- 
son. Second District, William A^andever. 

Thirty-eighth Congress— 1863 to 1865.— Ynst District, James F. Wilson. 
Second District, Hiram Price. Third District, William B. Allison Fourth 
District, Josiah B. Grinnell. Fifth District, John A. Kasson. Sixth District, 

Asahel W. Hubbard.' ^. r^. ■ t -n. wi 

Thirty-ninth Congress— 1865 to 1867.— Yrst District, Jan.es F. Wilson 
Second District, Hiram Price; Third District, William B. Allison ;^Fourth 
District, Josiah B. Grinnell ; Fifth District, John A. Kasson ; Sixth lyistrict, 

Asahel W. Hubbard. -^. . -r -r. w c 

Fortieth Conqress—1867 to lS69.—YiYSt District, James F. Wiison ; Sec- 
ond District, Hii'am Price; Third District, William B. Allison, Fourth District, 
William Loughridge; Fifth District, Grenville M. Dodge; Sixth District, 

Asahel W. Hubbard. -r^. . r. w t\t n 

Forty-first Congress— 1869 to 1871.— Ynst District, George W. McCrary 
Second District, William Smyth; Third District, William B Allison ; Fourth 
District, William Loughridge; Fifth District, Frank W. Palmer; Sixth Dis- 
trict, Charles Pomeroy. -^. ^ ■ . r^ w at^ 
Forty-second Congress-1871 to i575.-First District, George W. Mc- 
Crary ; Second District, Aylett R. Cotton ; Third District, W.G. Donnan^; 
Fourth District, Madison M. Waldon; Fifth District, Frank W. Palmer; Sixth 

District, Jackson Orr. -r^. . ^ Axr a/t n 

Forty-third Congress-1873 to i^^^.-First District, George W. McCrary 
Second District, Aylett R. Cotton; Third District, William Y. Donnan ; Fourth 
District, Henry 0. Pratt; Fifth District, James Wilson; Sixth District, 

"Tvacated Beat by acceptance of commlsBlon a8 Brigadier General, and J. F. Wilson chosen hie successor. 



104 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

William Lougliridge ; Seventh District, John A, Kasson ; Eighth District, 
James W. McDill ; Ninth District, Jackson Orr. 

Forty-fourth Congress — 1S75 to 1S77. — First District, George W. Mc- 
Crary ; Second District, John Q. Tufts; Third District, L. L. AinsAvorth; 
Fourth District, Henry 0. Pratt; Fifth District, James Wilson ; Sixth District, 
Ezekiel S. Sampson ; Seventh District, John A. Kasson ; Eighth District, 
James W. McDill ; Fifth District, Addison Oliver. 

Forty-fifth Congress— 1877 to 187 D.—¥iY?.i District, J. C. Stone; Second 
District, Hiram Price ; Third District, T. W. Burdick ; Fourth District, H. C. 
Deering ; Fifth District, Rush Clark ; Sixth District, E. S. Sampson ; 
Seventh District, H. J. B. Curamings ; Eighth District, W. F. Sapp ; Ninth 
District, Addison Oliver. 

WAR RECORD. 

The State of Iowa may well be proud of her record during the War of the 
Rebellion, from 1861 to 1865. The following brief but comprehensive sketch of 
the history she made during that trying period is largely from the pen of Col. A. 
P. Wood, of Dubuque, the author of "The History of Iowa and the War," one 
of the best works of the kind yet written. 

^ " Whether in the promptitude of her responses to the calls made on her by 
the General Government, in the courage and constancy of her soldiery in the 
field, or in the wisdom and efficiency with which her civil administration was 
conducted during the trying period covered by the War of the Rebellion, Iowa 
proved herself the peer of any loyal State. The proclamation of her Governor, 
responsive to that of the President, calling for volunteers to compose her First 
Regiment, was issued on the fourth day after the fall of Sumter. At the end 
of only a single week, men enough were reported to be in quarters (mostly in 
the vicinity of their own homes) to fill the regiment. These, however, were 
hardly more than a tithe of tlie number who had been offered by company com- 
manders for acceptance under the President's call. So urgent were these offers 
that the Governor requested (on the 24th of April) permission to organize an 
additional regiment. While awaiting an answer to this request, he conditionally 
accepted a sufficient number of companies to compose two additional regiments. 
In a short time, he was notified that both of these would be accepted. Soon 
after the completion of the Second and Third Regiments (which was near the 
close of May), the Adjutant General of the State reported that upward of one 
hundred and seventy companies had been tendered to the Governor to serve 
against the enemies of the Union. 

" Much difficulty and considerable delay occured in.fitting these regiments 
for the field. For the First Infantry a complete outfit (not uniform) of clothing 
was extemporized — principally by the volunteered labor of loyal women in the 
different towns — from material of various colors and qualities, obtained within 
the limits of the State. The same was done in part for the Second Infantry. 
Meantime, an extra session of the General Assembly had been called by the 
Governor, to convene on the l^tli of May. With but little delay, that body 
authorized a loan of $800,000, to meet the extraordinary expenses incurred, and 
to be incurred, by the Executive Department, in consequence of the new emer- 
gency. _ A wealthy merchant of the State (Ex-Governor Merrill, then a resident 
of TvicGregor) immediately took from the Governor a contract to supply a com- 
plete outfit of clothing for the three regiments organized^ agreeing to receive, 
should the Governor so elect, his pay therefor in State bonds at, par. 'This con- 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 



105 



tract he executed to the letter, and a portion of the clothing (which was manu- 
factured in Boston, to his order) was delivered at Keokuk, the place at which 
the troops had rendezvoused, in exactly one month from the day on which the 
contract had been entered into. The remainder arrived only a few days later. 
This clothing was delivered to the regiment, but was subsequently condemned 
by the Government, for the reason that its color was gray, and blue had been 
adopted as the color to be worn by the national troops." 

Other States also clothed their troops, sent forward under the first call of 
President Lincoln, with gray uniforms, but it was soon found that the con- 
federate forces were also clothed in gray, and that color was at once abandoned 
by the Union troops. If both armies were clothed alike, annoying if not fatal 
mistakes were liable to be made. 

But while engaged in these efforts to discharge her whole duty in common with 
all the other Union-loving States in the great emergency, Iowa was compelled 
to make immediate, and ample provision for the protection of her own borders, 
from threatened invasion on the south by the Secessionists of Missouri, and 
from danger of incursions from th6 west and northwest by bands of hostile 
Indians, who were freed from the usual restraint imposed upon them by the 
presence of regular troops stationed at the frontier posts. These troops were 
withdrawn to meet the greater and more pressing danger threatening the life of 
the nation at its very heart. 

To provide for the adequate defense of her borders from the ravages of both 
rebels in arms against the Government and of the more irresistible foes from 
the Western plains, the Governor of the State was authorized to raise and equip 
two regiments of infantry, a squadron of cavalry (not less than five companies) 
and a battalion of artillery (not less than three companies.) Only cavalry were 
enlisted for home defense, however, "but," says Col. Wood, "in times of special 
danger, or when calls were made by the Unionists of Northern Missouri for 
assistance against their disloyal enemies, large numbers of militia on foot often 
turned out, and remained in the field until the necessity for their services had 
passed. 

" The first order for the Iowa volunteers to move to the field was received 
on the 13th of June. It was issued by Gen. Lyon, then commanding the 
United States forces in Missouri. The First and Second Infantry immediately 
embarked in steamboats, and moved to Hannibal. Some two weeks later, the 
Third Infantry was ordered to the same point. These three, together with 
many other of the earlier organized Iowa regiments, rendered their fiirst field 
service in Missouri. The First Infantry formed a part of the little army with 
which Gen. Lyon moved on Springfield, and fought the bloody battle of Wilson's 
Creek. It received unqualified praise for its gallant bearing on the field. In 
the following mouth (September), the Third Iowa, with but very slight support, 
fought with honor the sanguinary engagement of Blue Mills Landing ; and in 
November, the Seventh Iowa, as a part of a force commanded by Gen. Grant, 
greatly distinguished itself in the battle of Belmont, where it poured out its 
blood like water — losing more than half of the men it took into action. 

" The initial operations in which the battles referred to took place were fol- 
lowed by the more important movements led by Gen. Grant, Gen. Curtis, of 
this State, and other commanders, which resulted in defeating the armies 
defending the chief strategic lines held by the Confederates in Kentucky, Tenn- 
nessee^'' Missouri and Arkansas, and compelling their withdrawal from much of 
the territory previously controlled by them in those States. In these and other 
movements, down to the grand culminating campaign by which Vicksburg was 



106 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

captured and the Confederacy permanently severed on the line of the Mississippi 
River, Iowa troops took part in steadily increasing numbers. In the investment 
and siege of Vicksburg, the State Avas represented by thirty regiments and two 
batteries, in addition to which, eight regiments and one battery were employed 
on the outposts of the besieging army. The brilliancy of their exploits on the 
many fields where they served won for them the highest meed of praise, both 
in military and civil circles. Multiplied were the terms in which expression 
was given to this sentiment, but these words of one of the journals of a neigh- 
boring State, 'The Iowa troops have been heroes among heroes,' embody the 
spirit of all. 

" In the veteran re-enlistments that distinguished the closing months of 1863 
.above all other periods in the history of re-enlistments for the national armies, 
the Iowa three years' men (who were relatively more numerous than those of any 
other State) were prompt to set the example of volunteering for another term of 
equal length, thereby adding many thousands to the great army of those who 
gave this renewed and practical assurance that the cause of the Union should 
not be left without defenders. 

" In all the important movements of 1864-65, by which the Confederacy 
was penetrated in every quarter, and its military power finally overthrown, the 
Iowa troops took part. Their drum-beat was heard on the banks of every great 
river of the South, from the Potomac to the Rio Grande, and everywhere they 
rendered the same faithful and devoted service, maintaining on all occasions their 
wonted reputation for valor in the field and endurance on the march. 

" Two Iowa three-year cavalry regiments were employed daring their whole 
term of service in the operations that were in progress from 1868 to 1866 
against the hostile Indians of the western plains. A portion of these men were 
among the last of the volunteer troops to be mustered out of service. The State 
also supplied a considerable number of men to the navy, who took part in most 
of the naval operations prosecuted against the Confederate power on the Atlantic 
and Gulf coasts, and the rivers of the West. 

" The people of Iowa were early and constant workers in the sanitary field, 
and by their liberal gifts and personal efforts for the benefit of the soldiery, 
placed their State in the front rank of those who became distinguished for their 
exhibitions of patriotic benevolence during the period covered by the war. 
Agents appointed by the Governor were stationed at points convenient for ren- 
dering assistance to the sick and needy soldiers of the State, while others v/ere 
employed in visiting, from time to time, hospitals, camps and armies in the field, 
and doing whatever the circumstances rendered possible for the health and 
comfort of such of the Iowa soldiery as might be found there. 

" Some of the benevolent people of the State early conceived the idea of 
establishing a Home for such of the children of deceased soldiers as might be 
left in destitute circumstances. This idea first took form in 1863, and in the 
following year a Home was opened at Farmington, Van Buren County, in a 
building leased for that purpose, and which soon became filled to its utmost 
capacity. The institution received liberal donations from the general public, 
and also from the soldiers in the field. In 1865, it became necessary to pro- 
vide increased accommodations for the large number of children .who were 
seeking the benefits of its care. This was done by establishing a branch 
at Cedar Falls, in Black Hawk County, and by securing, during the same 
year, for the use of the parent Home, Camp Kinsman near the City of 
Davenport. This property was soon afterward donated to the institution, by 
act of Congress. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 



lOT 



" In 1866, in pursuance of a law enacted for that purpose, the Soldiers' 
Orphans' Home (which then contained about four hundred and fifty inmates) 
became a State institution, and thereafter the sums necessary for its support were 
appropriated from the State treasury. A second branch was established at 
Glenwood, Mills County. Convenient tracts were secured, and valuable improve- 
ments made at all the different points. Schools were also established, and em- 
ployments provided for such of the children as Avere of suitable age. In all 
ways the provision made for these wards of the Stare has been such as to chal- 
lenge the appi'oval of every benevolent mind. The number of children who 
have been inmates of the Home from its foundation to the present time is 
considerably more than two thousand. 

" At the beginning of the war, the population of Iowa included about one 
hundred and fifty thousand men presumably liable to render military service. 
The State raised, for general service, thirty-nine regiments of infantry, nine 
regiments of cavalry, and four companies of artillery, composed of three years' 
men ; one regiment of inflmtry, composed of three months' men; and four regi- 
ments and one battalion of infantry, composed of one hundred da^'s' men. The 
original enlistments in these various organizations, including seventeen hundred 
and twenty-seven men raised by draft, numbered a little more than sixty -nine 
thousand. The re-enlistments, including upward of seven thousand veterans, 
numbered very nearly eight thousand. The enlistments in the regular army 
and navy, and organizaiiens of other States, will, if added, raise the total to 
upward of eighty thousand. The number of men who, under special enlistments, 
and as militia, took part at diiTerent times in the operations on the exposed 
borders of the State, was probably as many as five thousand. 

" Iowa paid no bounty on account of the men she placed in the field. In 
some instances, toward the close of the war, bounty to a comparatively small 
amount was paid by cities and towns. On only one occasion — that of the call 
of July 18, 1864 — was a draft made in Iowa. This did not occur on account of 
her proper liability, as established by previous rulings of the War Department, 
to supply men under that call, but grew out of the great necessity that there 
existed for raising men. The Government insis.ted on temporarily setting aside, 
in part, the former rule of settlements, and enforcing a draft in all cases where 
subdistricts in any of the States should be found deficient in their supply of 
men. In no instance was Iowa, as a whole, fo.ind to be indebted to the General 
Government for men, on a settlement of her (|Uv)ia accounts." 

It is to be said to the honor and credit of Iowa that while many of tiio loyal 
States, older and larger in population and wealth, incurred heavy State debts 
for the purpose of fulfilling their obligations to the General Government, Iowa, 
while she was foremost in duty, while she promptly discharged all her obligations 
to her sister States and the Union, found herself at the close of the war without 
any material addition to her pecuniary liabilities incurred before the war com- 
menced. Upon final settlement after the restoration of peace, her claims upon 
the Federal Government were found to be fully equal to the amount of her bonds 
issued and sold during the war to provide the means for raising and equipping 
her troops sent into the field, and to meet the inevitable demands upon her 
treasury in consequence of the war. 



108 HISTORY OF THE fcJlATE OF IOWA. 

INFANTRY. 

THE FIRST INFANTRY 

was organized under the President's iirst proclamation for volunteers for three 
months, with John Francis Bates, of Dubuque, as Colonel ; William H, Mer- 
ritt, of Cedar Rapids, as Lieutenant Colonel, and A. B. Porter, of Mt. Pleas- 
ant, as Major. Companies A and C were from Muscatine County; Company 
B, from Johnson County; Companies D and E, from Des Moines County; 
Company F, from Henry County; Company G, from Davenport; Companies 
H and I, from Dubuque, and Company K, from Linn County, and were mus- 
tered into United States service May 14, 1861, at Keokuk. The above com- 
panies were independent military organizations before the war, and tendered 
their services before breaking-out of hostilities. The First was engaged at the 
battle of Wilson's Creek, under Gen. Lyon, where it lost ten killed and fifty 
wounded. Was mustered out at St. Louis Aug. 25, 1861. 

THE SECOND INFANTRY 

was organized, with Samuel R. Curtis, of Keokuk, as Colonel ; Jas. M. Tuttle, 
of Keosauqua, as Lieutenant Colonel, and M. M. Crocker, of Des Moines, as 
Major, and was mustered into the United States service at Keokuk in May, 
1861. Company A was from Keokuk; Company B, from Scott County; Com- 
pany C, from Scott County ; Company D, from Des Moines ; Company E, from 
Fairfield, Jefferson Co. ; Company F, from Van Buren County ; Company G, 
from Davis County ; Company H, from Washington County ; Company I, from 
Clinton County ; and Company K, from Wapello County. It participated in the 
following engagements : Fort Donelson, Shiloh, advance on Corinth, Corinth, 
Little Bear Creek, Ala.; Tunnel Creek, Ala.; Resaca, Ga.; Rome Cross Roads, 
Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Nick-a-Jack Creek, in front of Atlanta, January 22, 
1864 ; siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro, Eden Station, Little Ogeechee, Savannah, 
Columbia, S. C ; Lynch's Creek, and Bentonsville. Was on Sherman's march 
to the sea, and through the Carolinas home. The Second Regiment of Iowa 
Infantry Veteran Volunteers was formed by the consolidation of the battalions 
of tlie Second and Third Veteran Infantry, and was mustered out at Louisville, 
Ky., July 12, 1865. 

THE THIRD INFANTRY 

was organized with N. G. Williams, of Dubuque County, as Colonel ; John 
Scott, of Story County, Lieutenant Colonel ; Wm. N. Stone, of Marion County, 
Major, and was mustered into the United States service in May, 1861, at 
Keokuk. Company A was from Dubuque County ; Company B, from Marion 
County ; Company C, from Clayton County ; Company D, from Winneshiek 
County ; Company E, from Boone, Story, Marshall and Jasper Counties ; Com- 
pany F, from Fayette County ; Company G, from Warren County; Company H, 
from Mahaska County ; Company I, from Floyd, Butler Black Hawk and 
Mitchell Counties, and Company K from Cedar Falls. It was engaged at Bliw 
Mills, Mo. ; Shiloh, Tenn. ; Ilatchie River, Matamoras, Vicksburg, Johnson, 
Miss., Meridian expedition, and Atlanta, Atlanta campaign and Sherman's 
march to Savannah, and through the Carolinas to Richmond and Washington. 
The veterans of the Third Iowa Infantry were consolidated with the Second, 
and mustered out at Louisville, Ky., July 12, 1864. 



HISTORY OF TFIE STATE OF IOWA. 100 



THE FOURTH INFANTRY 



was organized with G. M. Dodge, of Council Bluffs, as Colonel ; John 
Galligan, of Davenport, as Lieutenant Colonel ; Wm. R. English, Glenwood, 
as Major. Company A, from Mills County, was mustered in at Jefferson Bar- 
racks, Missouri, August I-''), 1861; Company B, Pottawattamie County, was 
mustei'ed in at Council Bluffs, August 8, 1861 ; Company C, Guthrie County, 
mustered in at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., May 3, 1861 ; Company D, Decatur 
County, at St. Louis, August 16th ; Company E, Polk County, at Council 
Bluffs, August 8th ; Company F, Madison County, Jefferson Barracks, August 
15th ; Company G, Ringgold County, at Jefferson Barracks, August 15th ; 
Company H, Adams County, Jefferson Barracks, August 15th ; Company I, 
Wayne County, at St. Louis, August 31st; Company K, Taylor and Page 
Counties, at St. Louis, August 31st. Was engaged at Pea Ridge, Chickasaw 
Bayou, Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, Jackson, Lookout Mountain, Missionary 
Ridge, Ringgold, Resaca, Taylor's Ridge; came home on veteran furlough 
February 26, 1864. Returned in April, and was in the campaign against 
Atlanta, and Sherman's march to the sea, and thence through the Carolinas 
to Washington and home. Was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, July 
24, 1865. 

THE FIFTH INFANTRY 

was organized with Wm. H. Worthington, of Keokuk, as Colonel; C. Z. Mat- 
thias, of Burlington, as Lieutenant Colonel; W. S. Robertson, of Columbus City, 
as Major, and was mustered into the United States service, at Burlington, July 
15, 1861. Company A was from Cedar County; Company B, from Jasper 
County ; Company C, from Louisa County ; Company D, from Marshall County ; 
Company E, from Buchanan County ; Company F, from Keokuk County ; Com- 
pany G, from Benton County ; Company H, from Van Buren County ; Company 
I, from Jackson County ; Company K, from Allamakee County ; was engaged at 
New Madrid, siege of Corinth, luka, Corinth, Champion Hills, siege of Vicks- 
burg, Chickamauga ; went home on veteran furlough, April, 1864. The non- 
veterans went home July, 1864, leaving 180 veterans who were transferred to 
the Fifth Iowa Cavalry. The Fifth Cavalry was mustered out at Nashville, 
Tennessee, Aug. 11, 1865. 

THE SIXTH INFANTRY. 

was mustered into the service July 6, 1861, at Burlington, with John A. 
McDowell, of Keokuk, as Colonel ; Markoe Cummins, of Muscatine, Lieuten- 
ant Colonel ; John M. Corse, of Burlington, Major. Company A was from 
Linn County; Company B, from Lucas and Clarke Counties; Company C, 
from Hardin County ; Company D, from Appanoose County ; Company E, 
from Monroe County ; Company F, from Clarke County ; Company Q, from 
Johnson County ; Company H, from Lee County ; Company I, from Des 
Moines County ; Company K, from Henry County. It was engaged at Shiloh, 
Mission Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Jackson, Black 
River Bridge, Jones' Ford, etc., etc. The Sixth lost 7 officers killed in action, 18 
wounded ; of enlisted men 102 were killed in action, 30 died of wounds, 124 of 
disease, 211 were discharged for disability and 301 were wounded in action, 
which was the largest list of casualties, of both officers and men, of any reg- 
iment from Iowa.. Was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, July 21, 1865. 



110 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 



THE SEVENTH INFANTRY 



was mustered into the United States service at Burlington, July 24, 1861, 
with J. G. Lauman, of Burlington, as Colonel ; Augustus Wentz, of Daven- 
port, as Lieutenant Colonel, and E. W. Rice, of Oskaloosa, as Major. Com- 
pany A was from Muscatine County ; Company B, from Chickasaw and Floyd 
Counties ; Company C, from Mahaska County ; Companies D and E, from Lee 
County ; Company F, from Wapello County ; Company G, from Iowa County ; 
Company H, from Washington County ; Company I, from Wapello County ; 
Oompany K, from Keokuk. Was engaged at the battles of Belmont (in which 
it lost in killed, wounded and missing 237 men), Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, 
Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Corinth, Rome Cross Roads, Dallas, Kew Hope 
Church, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Nick-a-Jack Creek, siege of Atlanta, 
hattle on 22d of July in front of Atlanta, Sherman's campaign to the ocean, 
through the Carolinas to Richmond, and thence to Louisville. Was mustered 
out at Louisville, Kentucky, July 12, 1865. 



THE EIGHTH INFANTRY 



was mustered into the United States service Sept. 12, 1861, at Davenport, 
Iowa, with Frederick Steele, of the regular army, as Colonel ; James L. Geddes, 
of Vinton, as Lieutenant Colonel, and J. C. Ferguson, of Knoxville, as Major. 
Company A was from Clinton County ; Company B, from Scott County ; 
Company C, from Washington County ; Company D, from Benton and Linn 
Counties; Company E, from Marion County; Company F, from Keokuk 
County ; Company G, from Iowa and Johnson Counties ; Company H. from 
Mahaska County ; Company I, from Monroe County ; Company K, from Lou- 
isa County. Was engaged at the following battles : Shiloh (where most of the 
regiment were taken prisoners of war), Corinth, Vicksburg, Jackson and Span- 
ish Fort. Was mustered out of the United States service at Selma, Alabama, 
April 20, 1866. 



THE NINTH INFANTRY 



was mustered into the United States service September 24, 1861, at Dubuque, 
with Wm. Vandever, of Dubuque, Colonel ; Frank G. Herron, of Dubuque, 
Lieutenant Colonel ; Wm. H. Coyle, of Decorah, Major. Company A was 
from Jackson County ; Company B, from Jones County ; Company C, from Bu- 
chanan County ; Company D, from Jones County ; Company E, from Clayton 
County ; Company F, from Fayette County ; Company G, from Black Hawk 
County ; Company H, from Winneshiek County ; Company I, from Howard 
County and Company K, from Linn County. Was in the following engage- 
ments": Pea Ridge, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, siege of Vicksburg, 
Ringgold, Dallas, Lookout Mountain, Atlanta campaign, Sherman's march to 
the sea, and through North and South Carolina to Richmond. Was mustered 
out at Louisville, July 18, 1865. 



THE TENTH INFANTRY 



was mustered into the United States service at Iowa City September 6, 1861, 
with Nicholas Perczel, of Davenport, as Colonel ; W. E. Small, of Iowa City, 
as Lieutenant Colonel ; and John C. Bennett, of Polk County, as Major. Com- 
pany A was from Polk County ; Company B, from Warren County ; Company 
C, from Tama County ; Company D, from Boone County ; Company E, from 
Washington County ; Company F, from Poweshiek County ; Company G, from 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. Ill 

Warren County ; Company H, from Greene County ; Company I, from Jasper 
County ; Company K, from Polk and Madison Counties. Participated in the 
following engagements : Siege of Corinth, luka. Corinth, Port Gibson, Ray- 
mond, Jackson, Champion Hills, Vicksburg and Mission Ridge. In Septem- 
ber, 1864, the non-veterans being mustered out, the veterans were transferred 
to the Fifth Iowa Cavalry, where will be found their future operations. 

THE ELEVENTH INFANTRY 

was mustered. into the United States service at Davenport, Iowa, in September 
and October, 1861, with A. M. Hare, of Muscatine, as Colonel ; Jno. C. Aber- 
crombie, as Lieutenant Colonel ; Wm. Hall, of Davenport, as Major. Com- 
pany A was from Muscatine ; Company B, from ]Marsh;ill and Hardin Counties ; 
Company C, from Louisa County ; Company D, from Muscatine County ; Com- 
pany E, from Cedar County ; Company F, from Washington County ; Company 
G, from Henry County ; Company H, from Muscatine County ; Company I 
from Muscatine County ; Compan}'- K, from Linn County. Was engaged in the 
battle of Shiloh, siege of Corinth, b;)ttles of Corinth, Vicksburg, Atlanta cam- 
paign, battle of Atlanta, July 22, 1864. Was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., 
July 15, 1865. 

THE TWELFTH INFANTRY 

was mustered into the United States service November 25, 1861, at Dubuque, 
with J. J. Wood, of Maquoketa, as Colonel ; John P. Coulter, of Cedar Rapids, 
Lieuteriant Colonel ; Samuel D. Brodtbeck, of Dubuque, as Major. Company 
A was from Hardin County ; Company B, from Allamakee County ; Company C, 
from Fayette County ; Company D, from Linn County ; Company S, from Black 
Hawk County ; Company F, from Delaware County ; Company G, from Winne- 
shiek County ; Company H, from Dubuque and Delaware Counties ; Company 
I, from Dubuque and Jackson Counties ; Company K, from Delaware County. 
It was engaged at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, where most of the regiment was 
captured, and those not captured were organized in what was called the Union 
Brigade, and were in the battle of Corinth ; the prisoners were exchanged 
November 10, 1862, and the regiment re-organized, and then participating in 
the siege of Vicksburg, battle of Tupelo, Miss.; White River, Nashville and 
Spanish Fort. The regiment was mustered out at Memphis, January 20, 1866. 

THE THIRTEENTH INFANTRY 

was mustered in November 1, 1861, at Davenport, with M. M. Crocker, of Des 
Moines, as Colonel ; M. M. Price, of Davenport, Lieutenant Colonel ; John 
Shane, Vinton, Major. Company A was from Mt. Vernon ; Company B, from 
Jasper County ; Company C, from Lucas County ; Company D, from Keokuk 
County ; Company E, from Scott County ; Company F, from Scott and Linn 
Counties ; Company G, from Benton County ; Company H, from Marshall County ; 
Company I, from Washington County ; Company K, from Washington County. 
It participated in the following engagements : Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Corinth, 
Kenesaw Mountain, siege of Vicksburg, Campaign against Atlanta. Was on 
Sherman's march to the sea, and through North and South Carolina. Was 
mustered out at Louisville July 21, 1865. 

THE FOURTEENTH INFANTRY 

was mustered in the United States service October, 1861, at Davenport, with 
Wm. T. Shaw, of Anamosa, as Colonel ; Edward W. Lucas, of Iowa City, as 



112 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

Lieutenant Colonel; Hiram Leonard, of Des Moines County, as Major. Com- 
pany A was from Scott County ; Company B, from Bremer County ; Company 
D, from Henry and Van Buren Counties ; Company E, from Jasper County ; 
Company F, from Van Buren and Henry Counties ; Company G, from Tama and 
Scott Counties; Company H, from Linn County; Company I, from Henry 
County ; Company K, from Des Moines County. Participated in the follow- 
ing engagements : Ft. Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth (where most of the regiment 
were taken prisoners of war), Pleasant Jlill, Meridian, Ft. De Russey, Tupelo, 
Town Creek, Tallahatchie, Pilot Knob, Old Town, Yellow Bayou, etc., etc., 
and was mustered out, except veterans and recruits, at Davenport, Iowa, No- 
vember 16, 1864. 

THE FIFTEENTH INFANTRY 

was mustered into the United States service March 19, 1862, at Keokuk, with 
Hugh T. Reid, of Keokuk, as Colonel ; Wm. Dewey, of Fremont County, as 
Lieuten;int Colonel; W. W. Belknap, of Keokuk, as Major. Company A was 
from Linn County ; Company B, from Polk County ; Company C, from Mahaska 
County ; Company D, from Wapello County ; Company E, from Van Buren 
County ; Company F, from Fremont and Mills Counties ; Company G, from 
Marion and Warren Counties ; Company PI, from Pottawattamie and Harrison 
Counties ; Company I, from Lee, Van Buren and Clark Counties ; Company K, 
from Wapello, Van Buren and Warren Counties. Participated in the battle of 
Shiloh, siege of Corinth, battles of Corinth, Vicksburg, campaign against At- 
lanta, battle in front of Atlanta, July 22, 1864, and was under fire during 
the siege of Atlanta eighty-one days ; was on Sherman's march to the sea, and 
through the Carolinas to Richmond, Washington and Louisville, where it was 
mustered out, August 1, 1864. 

THE SIXTEENTH INFANTRY 

was mustered into the United States service at Davenport, Iowa, December 10, 

1861, with Alexander Chambers, of the regular army, as Colonel; A. H. 
Sanders, of Davenport, Lieutenant Colonel; Wm. Purcell, of Muscatine, 
Major. Company A was from Clinton County ; Company B, from Scott 
County; Company C, from Muscatine County ; Company D, from Boone County; 
Company E, from Muscatine County ; Company F, from Muscatine, Clinton and 
Scott Counties ; Company G, from Dubuque County ; Company H, from Du- 
buque and Clayton Counties ; Company I, from Black Hawk and Linn Counties; 
Company K, from Lee and Muscatine' Counties. Was in the battles of Shiloh, 
siege of Corinth, luka, Corinth, Kenesaw Mountain, Nick-a-Jack Creek, battles 
around Atlanta; was in Sherman's campaigns, and the Carolina campaigns. 
Was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., July 19, 1865. 

THE SEVENTEENTH INFANTRY 

was mustered into the United States service at Keokuk, in March and April, 

1862, with Jno. W. Rankin, of Keokuk, Colonel ; D. B. Hillis, of Keokuk, 
as Lieutenant Colonel; Samuel M. Wise, of Mt. Pleasant, Major. Company 
A was from Decatur County; Company B, from Lee County; Company C, 
from Van Buren, Wapello and Lee Counties ; Company D, from Des Moines, 
Van Buren and Jefferson Counties; Company E, from Wapello County; Com- 
pany F, from Appanoose County; Company G, from Marion County; Com- 
pany H, from Marion and Pottawattamie Counties ; Company I, from Jefferson 
and Lee Counties ; Company K, from Lee and Polk Counties. They were in 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OP IOWA. US 

the following engagements: Siege of Corinth, luka, Corinth, Jackson, Cham- 
pion Hills, Fort Hill, siege of Vicksburg, Mission Ridge, and at Tilton, Ga., 
Oct. 13, 1864, most of the regiment were taken prisoners of war. Was mus- 
tered out at Louisville, Ky., July 25, 1865. 

THE EIGHTEENTH INFANTRY 

was mustered into the United States service August 5, 6 and 7, 1862, at Clin- 
ton, with John Edwards, of Chariton, Colonel ; T. Z. Cook, of Cedar Rapids, 
Lieutenant Colonel ; Hugh J. Campbell, of Muscatine, as Major. Company 
A, was from Linn and various other counties ; Company B, from Clark County ; 
Company C, from Lucas County; Company D, from Keokuk and Wapello 
Counties ; Company E, from Muscatine County ; Company F, from Appanoose 
County ; Company G, from Marion and Warren Counties ; Company H, from 
Fayette and Benton Counties; Company I, from Washington County; Com- 
pany K, from Wapello, Muscatine and Henry Counties, and was engaged in 
the battles of Springfield, Moscow, Poison Spring, Ark., and was mustered out 
at Little Rock, Ark., July 20, 1865. 

THE NINETEENTH INFANTRY 

was mustered into the United States service August 17, 1862, at Keokuk, with 
Benjamin Crabb, of Washington, as Colonel ; Samuel McFarland, of Mt. Pleas- 
ant, Lieutenant Colonel, and Daniel Kent, of Ohio, Major. Company A was 
from Lee and Van Buren Counties; Company B, from Jefferson County; Com- 
pany C, from Washington County; Company D, from Jefferson County; Com- 
pany E, from Lee County; Company F, from Louisa County; Company G, 
from Louisa County; Company H, from Van Buren County; Company I, from 
Van Buren County ; Company K, from Henry County. Was engaged a Prairie 
Grove, Vicksburg, Yazoo River expedition. Sterling Farm, September 29, 1863, 
at which place they surrendered ; three officers and eight enlisted men were 
killed, sixteen enlisted men were woun'Aed, and eleven officers and two hundred 
and three enlisted men taken prisoners out of five hundred engaged; they 
were exchanged July 22d, and joined their regiment August 7th, at New Or- 
leans. Was engaged at Spanish Fort. Was mustered out at Mobile, Ala., July 
10, 1865. 

THE TWENTIETH INFANTRY 

was mustered into the United States service August 25, 1862, at Clinton, with 
Wm. McE. Dye, of Marion, Linn Co., as Colonel : J. B. Leek, of Davenport, as 
Lieutenant Colonel, and Wm. G. Thompson, of Marion, Linn Co., as Major. 
Companies A, B, F, H and I were from Linn County ; Companies C, D, E, G 
and K, from Scott County, and was engaged in the following battles : Prairie 
Grove, and assault on Fort Blakely. Was mustered out at Mobile, Ala., July 
8, 1865. 

THE TWENTY-FIRST INFANTRY 

was mustered into the service at Clinton in June and August, 1862, with 
Samuel Merrill (late Governor of Iowa) as Colonel ; Charles W. Dunlap, of 
Mitchell, as Lieutenant Colonel ; S. G. VanAnda, of Delhi, as Major. Com- 
pany A was from Mitchell and Black Hawk Counties ; Company B, from 
Clayton County ; Company C, from Dubuque County ; Company D, from 
Clayton County ; Company E, from Dubuque County ; Company F, from Du- 
buque County ; Company G, from Clayton County ; Company H, from Dela- 
8 



114r HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

ware County ; Company I, from Dubuque County ; Company K, from Delaware 
County, and was in the following engagements : Hartsville, Mo. ; Black River 
Bridge, Fort Beauregard, was at the siege of Vicksburg, Mobile, Fort Blakely, 
and was mustered out at Baton Rouge, La., July 15, 1865. 

THE TWENTY-SECOND INFANTRY 

was mustered into the United States service Sept. 10, 1862, at Iowa City, with 
Wm. M. Stone, of Knoxville (since Governor of Iowa), as Colonel ; Jno. A. 
Garrett, of Newton, Lieutenant Colonel ; and Harvey Graham, of Iowa City, 
as Major. Company A was from Johnson County ; Company B, Johnson 
County ; Company C, Jasper County; Company D, Monroe County ; Company 
E, Wapello County ; Company F, Johnson County ; Company G, Johnson 
County ; Company H, Johnson County ; Company I, Johnson County ; Com- 
pany K, Johnson County. Was engaged at Vicksburg, Thompson's Hill, Cham- 
pion Hills, Sherman's campaign to Jackson, at Winchester, in Shenandoah Val- 
ley, losing 109 men, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek. Mustered out at Savannah, 
Ga., July 25, 1865. 

THE TWENTY-THIRD INFANTRY 

was mustered into United States service at Des Moines, Sept. 19, 1862, with 
William Dewey, of Sidney, as Colonel ; W. H. Kinsman, of Council Bluffs, as 
Lieutenant Colonel, and S. L. Glasgow, of Corydon, as Major. Companies 
A, B and C, were fi-om Polk County; Company D, from Wayne County; Com- 
pany E, from Pottawattamie County ; Company F, from Montgomery County ; 
Company G, from Jasper County ; Company H, from Madison County ; Com- 
pany I, from Cass County, and Company K, from Marshall County. Was in 
Vicksburg, and engaged at Port Gibson, Black River, Champion Hills, Vicks- 
burg, Jackson, Milliken's Bend, Fort Blakely, and was mustered out at Harris- 
burg, Texas, July 26, 1865 

THE TWENTY-FOURTH 

was mustered into United States service at Muscatine, September 18, 1862, 
with Eber C. Byam, of Mount Vernon, as Colonel; John Q. Wilds, of Mount 
Vernon, as Lieutenant Colonel, and Ed. Wright, of Springdale, as Major. 
Company A was from Jackson and Clinton Counties ; Companies B and C, 
from Cedar County; Company D, from Washington, Johnson and Cedar 
Counties; Company E, from Tama County; Companies F, G and H, from 
Linn County ; Company I, from Jackson County, and Company K, from Jones 
County. Was engaged at Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Gen. Banks' Red 
River expedition, Winchester and Cedar Creek. Was mustered out at Savan- 
nah, Ga., July 17, 1865. 

THE TWENTY-FIFTH INFANTRY 

was organized with George A. Stone, of Mount Pleasant, as Colonel ; Fabian 
Brydolf as Lieutenant Colonel, and Calom Taylor, of Bloomfield, as Major, 
and was mustered into United States service at Mount Pleasant, September 27, 
1862. Companies A and I were from Washington County; Companies B and 
H, from Henry County ; Company C, from Henry and Lee Counties ; Com- 
panies D, E and G, from Des Moines County : Company F, from Louisa 
County, and Company K, from Des Moines and Lee Counties. Was engaged 
at Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, Walnut Bluff, Chattanooga, Campain, Ring- 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 115 

gold, Ga., Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, battles around Atlanta, Love- 
joy Station, Jonesboro, Ship's Gap, Bentonville, and on Sherman's march 
through Georgia and the Carolmas, to Richmond and Washington. Was 
mustered out at Washington, D. C, June 6, 1865. 

THE TWENTY-SIXTH 

was organized and mustered in at Clinton, in August, 1862, with Milo Smith, 
of Clinton, as Colonel ; S. G. Magill, of Lyons, as Lieutenant Colonel, and 
Samuel Clark, of De Witt, as Major. Company A was from Clinton and 
Jackson Counties; Company B, from Jackson County; Companies C, D, E, 
F, G, H, I and K, from Clinton County. Was engaged at Arkansas Post, 
Vicksburg, Snake Creek Gap, Ga., Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, De- 
catur, siege of Atlanta, Ezra Church, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station, Ship's Gap, 
Sherman's campaign to Savannah, went through the Carolinas, and was mus- 
tered out of service at Washington, D. C, June 6, 1865. 

THE TWENTY-SEVENTH 

was mastered into United States service at Dubuque, Oct. 3, 1862, with James 
I. Gilbert, of Lansing, as Colonel ; Jed Lake, of Independence, as Lieutenant 
Colonel ; and G. W: Howard, of Bradford, as Major. Companies A, B and I 
were from Allamakee County ; Companies C and H, from Buchanan County ; 
Companies D and E, from Clayton County ; Company F, from Delaware 
County ; Company G, from Floyd and Chickasaw Counties, and Company K, 
from I\Iitchell County. Engaged at Little Rock, Ark., was on Red River ex- 
pedition. Fort De Russey, Pleasant Hill, Yellow Bayou, Tupelo, Old Town 
Creek and Fort Blakely. Was mustered out at Clinton, Iowa, Aug. 8, 1865. 

THE TWENTY-EIGHTH 

was organized at Iowa City, and mustered in Nov. 10, 1862, with William E. 
Miller, of Iowa City, as Colonel ; John Connell, of Toledo, as Lieutenant Colonel, 
and H. B. Lynch, of Millersburg, as Major. Companies A and D were 
from Benton County ; Companies B and G, from Iowa County ; Companies 
C, H and I, from Poweshiek County; Company E, from Johnson County; 
Company F, from Tama County, and Company K, from Jasper County. Was 
engaged at Port Gibson, Jacksou and siege of Vicksburg ; was on Banks' Red 
River expedition, and engaged at Sabine Cross Roads ; was engaged in Shen- 
andoah Valley, Va., and engaged at Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek. 
Was mustered out of service at Savannah, Ga., July 31, 1865. 

THE TWENTY-NINTH 

was organized at Council Bluffs, and mustered into the United States service 
December 1, 1862, with Thomas H. Benton, Jr., of Council Bluffs, as Colonel; 
R. F. Patterson, of Keokuk, as Lieutenant Colonel ; and Charles B. Shoe- 
maker, of Clarinda, as Major. Company A was from Pottawattamie County; 
Company B, from Pottawattamie and Mills Counties ; Comnany C, from Harrison 
County ; Company D, from Adair and Adams Counties , Company E, from 
Fremont County ; Company F, from Taylor County ; Company G, from Ring- 
gold County. Was engaged at Helena, Arkansas and Spanish Fort. Was 
mustered out at New Orleans August 15, 1865. 



116 HISTUKV OF TliE iSTATii OF IOWA. 



THE THIRTIETH INFANTRY 

was organized at Keokuk, and mustered into the United States service September 
23, 1862, with Charles B. Abbott, of Louisa County, as Colonel ; Wm. M. G. Tor- 
rence, of Keokuk, as Lieutenant Colonel ; and Lauren Dewey, of Mt. Pleasant, as 
Major. Companies A and I were from Lee County ; Company B, from Davis 
County ; Compan}' C, from Des Moines County ; Company D, from Van Buren 
County ; Companies E and K from Washington County ; Company F, from 
Davis County ; and Companies G and H, from Jefferson County. Was 
engaged at Arkansas Post, Yazoo City, Vicksburg, Cherokee, Ala., Ringgold, 
Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Lovejoy Station, Jonesboro, Taylor's 
Ridge; was in Sherman's campaigns to Savannah and through the Carolinas to 
Richmond ; was in the grand review at Washington, D. C, where it was mus- 
tered out June o, 1S65. 

THE THIRTY-FIRST INFANTRY 

•was mustered into the service at Davenport October 13, 1862, with William 
Smyth, of Marion, as Colonel ; J. W. Jenkins, of Maquoketa, as Lieutenant 
Colonel ; and Ezekiel Cutler, of Anamosa, as Major. Company A was fi'om 
Linn County; Companies B, C and D, from Black Hawk County; Companies 
E, G and H, from Jones County ; Companies F, I and K, from Jackson County. 
Was engaged at ChickasaAV Bayou, Arkansas Post, Raymond, Jackson, Black 
River, Vicksburg, Cherokee, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Ringgold, 
Taylor's Hills, Snake Creek Gap, Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, Big 
Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Jonesboro ; was in Sherman's campaign 
through Georgia and the Carolinas, and was mustered oat at Louisville, Ken- 
tucky, June 27, 1865 

THE THIRTY-SECOND INFANTRY 

was organized at Dubuque, with John Scott, of Nevada, as Colonel ; E. H. 
Mix, of Shell Rock, as Lieutenant Colonel, and G. A. Eberhart, of Waterloo, 
as Major. Company A was from Hamilton, Hardin and Wright Counties; 
Company B, from Cerro Gordo County ; Company C, from Black Hawk 
County ; Company D, from Boone County ; Company E, from Butler County ; 
Company F, from Hardin County; Company G, from Butler and Floyd Coun- 
ties ; Company H, from Franklin County ; Ccynpany I, from Webster County, 
and Company K, from Marshall and Polk Counties, and was mustered into 
the United States service October 5, 1862. Was engaged at Fort De Russey, 
Pleasant Hill, Tupelo, Old Town Creek, Nashville, etc., and was mustered out 
of the United States service at Clinton, Iowa, Aug. 24, 1865. 

THE THIRTY-THIRD INFANTRY 

was organized at Oskaloosa, with Samuel A. Rice, of Oskaloosa, as Colonel ; 
Cyrus H. Maskey, of Sigourney, as Lieutenant Colonel, and Hiram D. Gibson, 
of Knoxville, as Major. Companies A and I were from Marion County; Com- 
panies B, F and H, from Keokuk County ; Companies C, D, E and K, from 
Makaska County, and Company G, from Marion, Makaska and Polk Counties, 
and mustered in October 1, 1862.'^ Was engaged at Little Rock, Helena, Sa- 
line River, Spanish Fort and Yazoo Pass. VVas mustered out at New Orleans, 
July 17, 1865. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. ^^"^ 



THE THIRTY-FOURTH INFANTRY 

was organized with George W. Clark, of Indianola, as Colonel ; W. S. Dungan, 
of Chariton, as Lieutenant Colonel, and R. D. Kellogg, of Decatur County, as 
Major, and mustered in at Burlington, October 15, 1862. Companies A and I 
were from Decatur County ; Companies B, C and D, from Warren County ; Com- 
pany E, from Lucas County; Company F, from Wayne County; Company G, 
from Lucas and Clark Counties ; Company H, from Madison and Warren 
Counties, and Company K, from Lucas County. Was engaged at Arkansas 
Post, Ft. Ga-ines, etc., etc. Was consolidated with the Thirty-eighth Infantry, 
January 1, 1865, and mustered out at Houston, Texas, August 15, 1865. 

THE THIRTY-FIFTH INFANTRY 

was organized at Muscatine, and mustered in the United States service Sep- 
tember 18, 1862, with S. G. Hill, of Muscatine, as Colonel ; James H. Roth- 
rock, as Lieutenant Colonel, and Henry 0' Conner, of Muscatine, as Major. 
Companies A, B, C, D and E, were from Muscatine County; Company F, 
from Muscatine and Louisa Counties ; Companies G, H and I, from Muscatine 
and Cedar Counties, and Company K, from Cedar County. Participated in 
the battles of Jackson, siege of Vicksburg, Bayou Rapids, Bayou de Glaze, 
Pleasant Hill, Old River Lake, Tupelo, Nashville, etc. Was mustered out at 
Davenport, August 10, 1865. 



THE THIRTY-SIXTH INFANTRY 

was organized at Keokuk, with Charles W. Kittredge, of Ottumwa, as Colonel ; 
F. M. Drake, of Unionville, Appanoose County, as Lieutenant Colonel, and T. 

C. Woodward, of Ottumwa, as Major, and mustered in October 4, 1862 ; Com- 
pany A was from Monroe County ; Companies B, D, E, H and K, from 
Wapello County, and Companies C, F, G and I, from Appanoose County. 
Was engaged in the following battles : Mark's Mills, Ark. ; Elkins' Ford, 
Camden, Helena, Jenkins' Ferry, etc. At Mark's Mills, April 25, 1864, out 
of 500 engaged, lost 200 killed and wounded, the balance being taken prisoners 
of war ; was exchanged October 6, 1864. Was mustered out at Duvall's Bluff, 
Ark., August 24, 1865. 

THE THIRY-SEVENTH INFANTRY (OR GRAY BEARDS; 

was organized with Geo. W, Kincaid, of Muscatine, as Colonel ; Geo. R. West, 
of Dubuque, as Lieutenant Colonel, and Lyman Allen, of Iowa City, as Major, 
and was mustered into United States service at Muscatine December 15, 1862. 
Company A was from Black Hawk and Linn Counties; Company B, from 
Muscatine County ; Company C, from Van Buren and Lee Counties ; Company 

D, from Johnson and Iowa Counties ; Company E, from Wapello and Mahaska 
Counties ; Company F, from Dubuque County ; Company G, from Appanoose, 
Des Moines, Henry and Washington Counties ; Company H, from Henry and 
Jefferson Counties ;■ Company I, from Jasper, Linn and other counties, and 
Company K, from Scott and Fayette Counties. The object of the Thirty- 
seventh was to do garrison duty and let the young men go to the front. It was 
mustered out at Davenport on expiration of three years' service. 



118 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 



THE THIRTY-EIGHTH INFANTRY 

was organized at Dubuque, and mustei-ed in November 4, 1862, with D. H. 
Hughes, of Decorah, as Colonel ; J. 0. Hudnutt, of Waverly, as Lieutenan, 
Colonel, and Charles Chadwick, of West Union, as Major. Companies A, Ft 
G and H were from Fayette County ; Company B, from Bremer County ; Com- 
pany C, from Chickasaw County ; Companies D, E and K, from Winneshiek 
County, and Company I, from Howard County. Participated in the siege of 
Vicksburg, Banks' Red River expedition, and on December 12, 1864, was 
consolidated with the Thirty-fourth Infantry. Mustered out at Houston, Texas, 
August 15, 1865. 

THE THIRTY-NINTH INFANTRY 

was organized with H. J. B. Cummings, of Winterset, as Colonel ; James Red- 
field, of Redfield, Dallas County, as Lieutenant Colonel ; and J. M. Grifiiths, 
of Des Moines, as Major. Companies A and F were from Madison County ; 
Companies B and I, from Polk Couuty ; Companies C and H, from Dallas 
County ; Company D, from Clark County ; Company E, from Greene County ; 
Company G, from Des Moines and Henry Counties ; and Company K, from 
Clark and Decatur Counties. Was engaged at Parker's Cross Roads, Tenn.; 
Corinth, Allatoona, Ga.; Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Sherman's march 
to Savannah and through the Carolinas to Richmond, and was mustered out at 
Washington June 5, 1865. 

THE FORTIETH INFANTRY 

was organized at Iowa City November 15, 1862, with John A. Garrett, of 
Newton, as Colonel; S. F. Cooper, of Grinnell, as Lieutenant Colonel; and 
S. G. Smith, of Newton, as Major. Companies A and H were from Marion 
County ; Company B, from Poweshiek Count}'- ; Company C, from Mahaska 
County ; Companies D and E, from Jasper County ; Company F, from Ma- 
haska and Marion Counties ; Company G, from Marion County ; Company I, 
from Keokuk County ; and Company K, from Benton and other counties. Par- 
ticipated in the siege of Vicksburg, Steele's expedition, Banks' Red River 
expedition. Jenkins' Ferry, etc. Was mustered out at Port Gibson August 2, 
1866. 

THE FORTY-FIRST INFANTRY, 

formerly Companies A, B and C of the Fourteenth Infantry, became Compa- 
nies K, L and M of the Seventh Cavalry, under authority of the War Depart- 
ment. Its infantry organization was under command of John Pattee, of Iowa 
City. Company A was from Black Hawk, Johnson and other counties ; Com- 
pany B, from Johnson County ; and Company C, from Des Moines and various 
counties. 

THE FORTY-FOURTH INFANTRY (100 DAYS) 

was organized at Davenport, and mustered in June 1, 1864. Company A was 
from Dubuque County ; Company B, Muscatine County ; Company C, Jones, 
Linn and Dubuque Counties; Company D, Johnson and Linn Counties; Com- 
pany E, Bremer and Butler Counties ; Company F, Clinton and Jackson 
Counties ; Company G, Marshall and Hardin Counties ; Company H, Boone 
and Polk Counties ; Companies I and K, Scott County. The Forty-fourth 
did garrison duty at Memphis and La Grange, Tenn. Mustered out at Daven- 
port, September 15, 1864. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 119 

THE FORTY-FIFTH INFANTRY (100 DAYS) 

was mustered in at Keokuk, May 25, 1864, with A. II. Bereman, of Mount 
Pleasant, as Colonel ; S. A. Moore, of Bloomfield, as Lieutenant Colonel, and 
J. E. Hope, of Washington, as Major. The companies were from the following 
counties : A, Henry ; B, Washington ; C, Lee ; D, Davis ; E, Henry and 
Lee ; F, Des Moines ; G, Des Moines and Henry ; H, Henry ; I, Jefferson, 
and K, Van Buren. Was mustered out at Keokuk, September 16, 1864. 

THE FORTY-SIXTH INFANTRY (100 DAYS) 

was organized with D. B. Henderson, of Clermont, as Colonel ; L. D. Durbin, 
of Tipton, as Lieutenant Colonel, and G. L. Tarbet, as Major, and was mus- 
tered in at Dubuque, June 10, 1864. Company A was fvom Dubuque ; Com- 
pany B, from Poweshiek ; C, from Dallas and Guthrie ; D, from Taylor and 
Fayette; E, from Ringgold and Linn ; F, from Winneshiek and Delaware ; G, 
from Appanoose and Delaware ; H, from Wayne ; I, from Cedar, and K, from 
Lucas. Was mustered out at Davenport, September 23, 1864. 

THE FORTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY (100 DAYS) 

was mustered into United States service at Davenport, June 4, 1864, with 
James P. Sanford, of Oskaloosa, as Colonel; John Williams, of Iowa City, as 
Lieutenant Colonel, and G. J. Wright, of Des Moines, as Major. Company 
A was from Marion and Clayton Counties; Company B, from Appanoose 
County; Company C, from Wapello and Benton Counties; Company B, from 
Buchanan and Linn Counties; Company E, from Madison County; Company 
F, from Polk County; Company G, from Johnson County; Company H, from 
Keokuk County; Company I, from Mahaska County, and Company K, from 
Wapello. 

THE FORTY-EIGHTH INFANTRY BATTALION (100 DAYS) 

was organized at Davenport, and mustered in July 13, 1864, with 0. H. P. 
Scott, of Farmington, as Lieutenant Colonel. Company A was from Warren 
County; Company B, from Jasper County ; Company C, from Decatur County, 
and Company D, from Des Moines and Lee Counties, and was mustered out at 
Rock Island Barracks Oct. 21, 1864. 

CAVALRY. 

THE FIRST CAVALRY 

was organized at BurKngton, and mustered into the United States service May 
3, 1861, with Fitz Henry Warren, of Burlington, as Colonel ; Chas. E. Moss, 
of Keokuk, as Lieutenant Colonel ; and E. W. Chamberlain, of Burlington, 
James 0. Gower, of Iowa City, and W. M. G. Torrence, of Keokuk, as Majors. 
Company A was from Lee, Van Buren and Wapello Counties ; Company B, 
from Clinton County ; Company C, from Des Moines and Lee Counties ; Com- 
pany D, from Madison and Warren Counties; Company E, from Henry 
County ; Company F, from Johnson and Linn Counties ; Company G, from 
Dubuque and Black Hawk Counties ; Company H, from Lucas and Morrison 
Counties ; Company I, from Wapello and Des Moines Counties ; Company K, 
from Allamakee and Clayton Counties ; Company L, from Dubuque and other 



120 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

counties; Company M, from Clinton County. It ^Yas engaged at Pleasant 
Hill, Mo.; Rolla, New Lexington, Elkins' Ford, Little Rock, Bayou Metoe, 
Wurrensburg, Big Creek Bluffs, AntAvineville, Clear Creek, etc. Was mustered 
out at Austin, Texas, February 15, 1866. 

THE SECOND CAVALRY 

was organized with W. L. Elliott, of the regular army, as Colonel ; Edward 
Hatch, of Muscatine, as Lieutenant Colonel; and N. P. Hepburn, of Marshall- 
town, D. E. Coon, of Mason City, and H. W. Love, of Iowa City, as Majors, 
and was mustered into the United States service at Davenport September 1, 
1861. Company A was from Muscatine County ; Company B, from Marshall 
County ; Company C, from Scott County ; Company D, from Polk County ; 
Company E, from Scott County; Company F, from Hamilton and Franklin 
Counties ; Company G, from Muscatine County ; Company H, from Johnson 
County ; Company I, from Cerro Gordo, Delaware and other counties ; Com- 
pany K, from Des Moines County ; Company L, from Jackson County, and 
Company M, from .Jackson County. _ The Second Cavalry participated in the 
folloAving military movements : Siege of Corinth, battles of Farmington, Boone- 
ville, Rienzi, luka, Corinth, Coffeeville, Palo Alto, Birmingham, Jackson, 
Grenada, Collierville, Moscow, Pontotoc, Tupelo, Old Town, Oxford, and en- 
gagements against Hood's march on Nashville, battle of Nashville, etc.- W Was 
mustered out at Selma, Ala., September 19, 1865. 

THE THIRD CAVALRY 

was organized and mustered into the United States service at Keokuk, in Au- 
gust and September, 1861, with Cyrus Bussey, of Bloomfield, as Colonel; H. 
H. Bussey, of Bloomfield, as Lieutenant Colonel, and C. H. Perry, H. C. Cald- 
well and W. C. Drake, of Corydon, as Majors. Companies A and E were from 
Davis County ; Company B, from Van Buren and Lee Counties ; Company C, 
from Lee and Keokuk Counties; Company D, from Davis and Van Buren 
Counties ; Company F, from Jefferson County ; Company G, from Van Buren 
County ; Company H, from Van Buren and Jefferson Counties ; Company I, 
from Appanoose County ; Company K, from Wapello and Marion Counties ; 
Company L, from Decatur County, and Company M, from Appanoose and De- 
catur Counties. It was engaged in the following battles and skirmishes : 
Pea Ridge, La Grange, Sycamore, near Little Rock, Columbus, Pope's Farm, 
Big Blue, Ripley, Coldwater, Osage, Tallahatchie, Moore's Mill, near Monte- 
vallo, near Independence, Pine Bluff, Botts' Farm, Gun Town, White's Station, 
Tupelo, Village Creek. Was mustered out of United States service at Atlanta, 
Ga., August 9, 1865. 

"" THE FOURTH CAVALRY 

was organized with Asbury B. Porter, of Mount Pleasant, as Colonel ; Thomas 
Drummond, of Vinton, as Lieutenant Colonel ; S. D, Swan, of Mount Pleas- 
ant, J. E. Jewett, of Des Moines, and G. A. Stone, of Mol^nt Pleasant, as 
Majors, and mustered into L^nited States service at Mount Pleasant November 
21, 1861. Company A was from Delaware County ; Company C, from Jef- 
ferson and Henry Counties ; Company D, from Henry County ; Company E, 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 121 

from Jasper and Poweshiek Counties ; Company F, from Wapello County ; 
Company G, from Lee and Henry Counties ; Company H, from Chickasaw 
County ; Company I, from Madison County ; Company K, from Henry 
County ; Company L, from Des Moines and other counties ; and Company M, 
from Jefferson County. The Fourth Cavalry lost men in the following engage- 
ments : Guntown, Miss.; Helena, Ark.; near Bear Creek, Miss.; near Mem- 
phis, Tenn.; Town Creek, Miss.; Columbus, Ga.; Mechanicsburg, Miss.; Little 
Blue River, Ark.; Brownsville, Miss.; Ripley, Miss.; Black River Bridge, 
Miss.; Grenada, Miss.; Little Red River, Ark.; Tupelo, Miss.; Yazoo River, 
Miss.; White River, Ark.; Osage, Kan.; Lick Creek, Ark.; Okalona, Miss.; 
St. Francis River, Ark. Was mustered out at Atlanta, Ga., August 10, 1865. 

THE FIFTH CAVALRY 

was organized at -Omaha with Wm. W. Lowe, of the regular army,, as Col(»- ■ 
nel ; M. T. Patrick, of Omaha, as Lieutenant Colonel ; and C. S. Bernstein, 
of Dubuque, as Major, and mustered in September 21, 1861. Companies A, 
B, C and D were mostly from Nebraska ; Company E, from Dubuque County ; 
Company F, from Des Moines, Dubuque and Lee Counties; Company G, from 
Minnesota; Company H, from Jackson and other counties; Companies I and 
K were from Minnesota ; Company L, from Minnesota and Missouri ; Com- 
pany M, from Missouri ; Companies G, I and K were transferred to Minnesota 
Volunteers Feb. 25, 1864. The new Company G was organized from veterans 
and recruits and Companies C, E, F and I of Fifth Iowa Infantry, and trans- 
ferred to Fifth Cavalry August 8, 1864. The second Company 1 was organ- 
ized from veterans and recruits and Companies A, B, D, G, H and K of the 
Fifth Iowa Infantry, and transferred to Fifth Iowa Cavalry August 18, 1864. 
Was engaged at second battle of Fort Donelson, Wartrace, Duck River Bridge, 
Sugar Creek, Newnan, Camp Creek, Cumberland Works, Tenn.; Jonesboro, 
Ebenezer Church, Lockbridge's Mills, Pulaski, Cheraw, and mustered out at 
Nashville, Tenn., August 11, 1865. 

THE SIXTH CAVALRY. 

was organized with D. S. Wilson, of Dubuque, as Colonel ; S. M. Pollock, of 
Dubuque, as Lieutenant Colonel ; T. H. Shephard, of Iowa City, E. P. Ten- 
Broeck, of Clinton, and A, E. House, of Delhi, as Majors, and was mustered 
in at Davenport, January 31, 1863. Company A was from Scott and other 
counties ; Company B, from Dubuque and other counties ; Company C, from 
Fayette County; Company D, from Winneshiek County; Company E, from 
Southwest counties of the State ; Company F, from Allamakee and other 
counties ; Company G, from Delaware and Buchanan Counties ; Company H, 
from Linn County ; Company I, from Johnson and other counties ; Company 
K, from Linn County ; Company L, from Clayton County ; Company M, from 
Johnson and Dubuque Counties. The Sixth Cavalry operated on the frontier 
against the Indians. Was mustered out at Sioux City, October 17, 1865, 

THE SEVENTH CAVALRY 

was organized at Davenport, and mustered into the United States service April 
27, 1863, with S. W. Summers, of Ottumwa, as Colonel ; John Pattee, of Iowa 
City, as Lieutenant Colonel; H. H. Heath and G. M. O'Brien, of Dubuque, 



122 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 

and John S. Wood, of Ottumwa, as Majors. Companies A, B, C and D, were 
from Wapello and other counties in innnediate vicinity; Companies E, F, G 
and H, were from all parts of the State; Company 1, from Sioux City and 
known as Sioux City Cavalry; Company K was originally Company A of the 
Fourteenth Infantry and afterward Company A of the Forty-first Infantry, was 
from Johnson and other ^ounties ; Company L was originally Company B, of 

the Forty-first Infantry and afterward Company B, of the Forty , and 

was from Johnson County; Company M was originally Company C, of the 
Fourteenth Infantry, and afterward Company C, of the Forty-first and from Des 
Moines and other counties. The Seventh Cavalry operated against the Indi- 
ans. Excepting the Lieutenant Colonel and Companies K, L and M, the regi- 
ment was mustered out at Leavenworth, Kansas, May 17, 18(!G. Companies 
K, L, and M were mustered out at Sioux City, June '22, 1866. 



THE EIGHTH CAVALRY 

was organized with J. B. Dorr, of Dubuque, as Colonel ; H. G. Earner, of 
Sidney, as Lieutenant Colonel ; John J. Bowen, of Hopkinton, J, D. Thompson, 
of Ehiora, and A. J. Price, of Guttenburg, as Majors, and were mustered in at 
Davenport September 30, 1863. The companies were mostly from the follow- 
ing counties : Company A, Page ; B, Wapello ; C, Van Buren ; I), Ring- 
go hi ; E, Henry; F, Appanoose; G, Clayton ; H, Appanoose; I, Marshall; 
K, Muscatine; L, Wapello; M, Polk. The Eightii did a large amount of duty 
guarding Sherman's communications, in Avhich it had many small engagements, 
it was in the battles of Lost Mountain, Lovejoy's Station, Newnan, Nashville, 
etc. Was on Stoneman's cavalry raid around Atlanta, and Wilson's raid 
through Alabama. Was mustered out at Macon, Ga., August 13, 1865. 



THE NINTH CAVALRY 

was mustered in at Davenport, November 30, 1863, with M. M. Trumbull, of 
Cedar Falls, as Colonel ; J. P. Knight, of Mitchell, as Lieutenant Colonel; E. 
T. Ensign, of Des Moines, Willis Drummond, of McGregor, and William Had- 
dock, of Waterloo, as Majors. Company A was from Muscatine County ^ 
Company B, Linn County; Company C, AVapello and Decatur Counties ; Com- 
pany D, Washington County ; Company E, Fayette County ; Company F, 
Claytnn County ; Companies G and H, various counties ; Company I, Wapello 
and Jefferson Counties ; Company K, Keokuk County ; Company L, Jasper 
and Marion Counties ; Company M, Wapello and Lee Counties. Was mustered 
out at Little Rock, Ark., February 28, 1866. 



ARTILLERY. 

THE FIRST BATTERY OF LIGHT ARTILLERY 

was enrolled in the counties of Wapello, Des Moines, Dubuque, Jeflferson, 
Black Hawk, etc., and was mustered in at Burlington, Aug. 17, 1861, with C. H. 
Fletcher, of Burlington, as Captain. Was engaged at Pea Ridge, Port Gibson, 
in Atlanta campaign, Chickasaw Bayou, Lookout Mountain, etc. Was mus- 
tered out at Davenport July 5, 1865. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 



THE SECOND BATTERY OF LIGHT ARTILLERY 



123 



was enrolled in the counties of Dallas, Polk, Harrison, Fremont and Pottawat- 
tamie, and mustered into United irUates service at Council Bluffs and St. Louis, 
Mo , Aug. 8 and 31, 1861, with Nelson T. Spear, of Council Bluffs, as 
Captain. Was engaged at Farmington, Corinth, etc. Was mustered out at 
Davenport, Aug. 7, 1865. 

THE THIRD BATTERY OF LIGHT ARTILLERY 

was enrolled in the counties of Dubuque, Black Hawk, Butler and Floyd, and 
mustered into United States service at Dubuque, September, 1861, with M. 
M. Hayden, of Dubuque, as Captain. Was at battle of Pea Ridge, etc., etc. 
Was mustered out at Davenport, Oct. 23, 1865. 

THE FOURTH BATTERY OP LIGHT ARTILLERY 

was enrolled in Mahaska, Henry, Mills and Fremont Counties, and was mus- 
tered in at Davenport, Nov. 23, 1863, with P. H. Goode, of Glenwood, Cap- 
tain. Was mustered out at Davenport, July 14, 1865. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 

THE FOURTH BATTALION 

Company A, from Fremont County, W. Hoyt, Captain; Company B, from 
Taylor County, John Flick, Captain; Company C, from Page County, J. 
Whitcomb, Captain. 

THE NORTHERN BORDER BRIGADE 

was organized by the State of Iowa to protect the Northwestern frontier, 
James A. Sawyer, of Sioux City, was elected Colonel. It had Companies A, 
B, C, D and E, all enlisted from the Northwestern counties. 

THE SOUTHERN BORDER BRIGADE 

was organized by the State for the purpose of protecting tlie Southern border 
of the State, and was organized in counties on the border of Missouri. Com- 
pany A, First Battalion, was from Lee County, Wm. Sole, Captain; Company B, 
First Battalion, Joseph Dickey, Captain, from Van Buren County; Company 
A, Second Battalion, from Davis County, Capt. H. B. Horn; Company B, Sec- 
ond Battalion, from Appanoose County, E. B. Skinner, Captain; Company A, 
Third Battalion, from Decatur County, J. H. Simmons, Captain; Company B, 
Third Battalion, from Wayne County, E. F. Estel, Captain; Company C, 
Third Battalion, from Ringgold County, N. Miller, Captain. 

THE FIRST INFANTRY AFRICAN DESCENT — (SIXTIETH U. S.) 

was organized with John G. Hudson, Captain Company B, Thirty-third Mis- 
souri, as Colonel; M. F. Collins, of Keokuk, as Lieutenant Colonel, and J. L. 
Murphy, of Keokuk, as Major. Had ten companies, and were mustered in at 
various places in the Fall of 1863. The men were fiora all parts of the State 
and some from Missouri. 



124 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF lO'.VA. 

During the war, the following promotions were made by the United States 
Government from Iowa regiments:* 

MAJOR GENERALS 

Samuel K. Curtis, Brigadier General, from March 21, 1863. 
Frederick Steele, Brigadier (leneral, from oSTovember 39, 1863. 
Frank J. Ilerron, Brigadier General, from ISTovember 29, 1863. 
Grenville M. Dodge, Brigadier General, from June 7, 1864. 

BRIGADIER GENERALS. 

Samuel R. Curtis, Colonel 2d Infantry, from May 17, 1861. 

Frederick Steele, Colonel 8th Infantry, from February 6, 1863. 

Jacob G. Lauman, Colonel 7th Infantry, from March 21, 1862. 

Grenville M. Dodge, Colonel 4th Infantry, from March 31, 1863. 

James M. Tuttle, Colonel 2d Infantry, from June 9, 1862. 

AVashington L. Elliott, Colonel 2d Cavalry, from June 11, 1863. 

Fitz Henry Warren, Colonel 1st Cavalry , from July 6, 1862. 

Frank J. Ilerron, Lieutenant Colonel 9th Infantry, from July 30, 1863. 

Charles L. Matthies, Colonel 5th Infantry, from November 29, 1863. 

William Vandever, Colonel 9th Infantry, from November 29, 1862. 

Marcellus M. Crocker, Colonel 13th Infantry, from Nov. 29, 1862. (Since died.) 

Hugh T. Eeid, Colonel 15th Infantry from March 13, 1863. 

Samuel A. Rice, Colonel 33d Infantry, from August 4, 1863. 

John M. Corse, Colonel 6th Infantry, from August 11, 1863. 

Cyrus Bussey, Colonel 3d Cavalry, from January 5, 1864. 

Edward Hatch, Colonel 2d Cavalry, from April 27, 1864. 

Elliott W. Rice, Colonel 7th Infantry, from June 20, 1864. 

Wm. W. Belknap, Colonel 15th Infantry, from July 30, 1864. 

John Edwards, Colonel 18th Infantry, from September 26, 1864. 

James A. Williamson, Colonel 4th Infantry, from January 13, 1864. 

James I. Gilbert, Colonel 27th Infantry, from February 9, 1865. 

BREVET MAJOR GENERALS. 

John M. Corse, Brigadier General from October 5, 1864. 
Edward Hatch, Brigadier General, from December l-l, 1864. 
Wm. ^V. Belknap, Brigadier General, from March 13, 1865. 
W. L. Elliott, Brigadier General, from March 13, 1865. 
Wm. Vandever, Brigadier General, from June 7, 1865. 

BREVET BRIGADIER GENERALS. 

Wm. T. Clark, A. A. G., late of 13th Infantry, from July 23, 1864. 

Edward F. Winslow, Colonel 4th Cavalry, from December 13, 1864. 

S. G. Hill, Colonel 35th Infantry, from December 15, 1804. (Since died.) 

Thos. H. Benton, Colonel 29tli Infantry, from December 15, 1864. 

Samuel L. Glasgow, Colonel 23d Infantry, from December 19, 1864. 

Clark R. Wever, Colonel 17th Infantry, from February 9, 1865. 

Francis M. Drake, Lieutenant Colonel 36th Infantry, from February 33, 1865. 

Geojge A. Stone, Colonel 25th Infantry, from March 13, 1865. 

Datus E. Coon, Colonel 2d Cavalry, from March 8, 1865. 

George W. Clark, Colonel 34th Infantry, from March 13, 1865. 

Herman H. Heath, Colonel 7th Cavalry, from March 13, 1865. 

J. M. Hedrick, Colonel 15th Infantry, from March 13, 1865. 

W. W. Lowe, Colonel 5th Cavalry, from March 13, 1865. 

♦Thomas J. McKean was appointed Paymaster in U. S. A. from Iowa, and subsequently promoted Brigadier General, 
to date from Nov. 21, 1801. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 



125 



NUMBER OF TROOPS FURNISHED BY THE STATE OF IOWA 

DURING THE WAR OF THE REBELLION, 

TO JANUARY 1, 1865. 





No. Regiment. 


No. of 
men. 


No. Regiment. 

39th Iowa Infantry 

40th " •' 


No. of 
men. 




959 

1,247 

1 ,074 

1,184 

1,037 

1,013 

1,138 

1,027 

1,090 

1,027 

1,022 

981 

989 

840 

1,196 

919 

956 

875 

985 

925 

980 

1,008 

961 

979 

995 

919 

940 

956 

1,005 

978 

977 

925 

985 

953 

984 

986 

914 

910 


933 


2d ' 




, 


9('0 


3d 




41st Battalion Iowa Infantry 


294 


4th ' 




44th Infantry (lOO-days men) 


867 


5 th ' 




45th " " " 


912 


6th ' 




46th " " " 

47th " " " 


80 -J 


7th ' 




884 


8th ' 




48th Battalion '■ " 


34(1 


9th ' 




1st Iowa Cavalry 

2d " " 


1,478 


10th ' 




1 394 


11th • 




3d " " 


1.360 


12th « 




4th " " 


] ,227 


13th ' 




5th " " 


1,245 


14th « 


6th " " 


1,125 


15th ' 




7th '• " 


562 


16th « 




8th " " 


1,234 


17th ' 




9th " " 


1,178 


18th ' 




Sioux City Cavalry* 


93 


19th ' 




Co. A, 11th Penn. Cavalry 

1st IBattery Artillery 

2d 


87 


20th ' 




149 


21st ' 




123 


22d ' 




3d " " 


142 


23d ' 




4th " " ; 


152 


24th ' 




1st Iowa African Infantry, 60th U. Sf.. 

Dodge's Brigade Band 

Ep.nd of 2d Iowa Infantry 


903 


25 th • 




14 


26th ' 




10 


27th ' 




Enlistments as far as reported to .Tan. 1, 
1864, for the older Iowa regiments 

Enlistments of Iowa men in regiments 
of other States, over 




28th ' 




2,765 


29th ' 






30th ' 




2,500 


31st ' 
32d ' 




Total 




61,653 


33d ' 
34th ' 




Re-enlisted Veterans for different Regi- 


7,202 


35th ' 


Additionul enlistments 


6,604 


36th ' 




Grand total as far as reported up to Jan. 
1, 1865 




37th ' 






38th ' 




75,519 



This does not include those Iowa men who veteranized in the regiments of other States, nor 
tbe names of men who enlisted during 1864, in regiments of other States. 
* Afterward consolidated with Seventh Cavalry, 
f Only a portion of this regiment was credited to the State. 



126 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 



CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 
AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 

We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, 
establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common 
defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessitigs of liberty 
to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution 
for the United States of America. 

Article I. 

Section 1. All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in 
a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and 
House of Representatives. 

Sec. 2. The House of Representatives shall be composed of mem- 
bers chosen every second year by the people of the several states, and the 
electors in each state shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of 
the most numerous branch of the State Legislature. 

No person shall be a representative who shall not have attained to the 
age of twenty-five years, and been seven years a citizen of the United 
States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state in 
which he shall be chosen. 

Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the sev- 
eral states which may be included within this Union, according to theii 
respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole 
number of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of 
years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other persons. 
The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first 
meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subse- 
quent term of ten years, in such manner as they shall by law direct. The 
number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand, 
but each state shall have at least one Representative ; and until such 
enumeration shall be made the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled 
to choose three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode Island and Providence Plan- 
tations one, Connecticut five. New York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylva- 
nia eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten. North Carolina five, 
and Georgia three. 

When vacancies happen in the representation from any state, the 
Executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such 
vacancies. 

The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other 
officers, and shall have the sole power of impeachment. 

Sec. 3. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two 
Senators from each state, chosen by the Legislature thereof for six years ; 
and each Senator shall have one vote. 

Immediately after they shall be assembled in consequence of the first 
election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three classes. 
The seats of the Senators of the first class shall be vacated at the expira- 



AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 



127^? 



tion of the second year, of the second class at the expiration of the fourth 
year, and of the third chiss at the expiration of the sixth year, so that 
one-third may be chosen every second year; and if vacancies happen by 
resignation or otherwise, during the recess of the Legislature of any state, 
the Executive thereof may make temporary appointments until the next 
meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such vacancies. 

No person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the age 
of thirty years and been nine years a citizen of the United States, and 
who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state for which he 
shall be chosen. 

The Vice-President of the United States shall be President of the 
Senate, but shall have no vote unless they be equally divided. 

The Senate shall choose their other officers, and also a President joro 
tempore^ in the absence of the Vice-President, or when he shall exercise 
the office of President of the United States. 

The Senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments. When 
sitting for that purpose they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the 
President of the United States is tried the Chief Justice shall preside. 
And no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds 
of the members present. 

Judgment, in cases of impeachment, shall not extend further than to 
removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of 
honor, trust, or profit under the United States; but the party convicted 
shall nevertheless be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment, 
and punishment according to law. 

Sec. 4. The times, places and manner of holding elections for Sen- 
ators and Representatives shall l)e prescribed in each state by the Legis- 
lature thereof ; but the Congress may at any time by law make or alter 
such regulations, except as to the places of choosing Senators. 

The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such 
meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by 
law appoint a different day. 

Sec. 5. Each house shall be the judge of the election, returns, and 
qualifications of its own members., and a majority of each shall constitute 
a quorum to do business ; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to 
day, and may be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members 
in such manner and under such penalties as each house may provide. 

Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its 
members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds, 
expel a member. 

Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from time to 
time publish the same, excepting such parts as may, in their judgment, 
require secrecy ; and the yeas and nays of the members of either house 
on any question shall, at the desire of one-fifth of those present, be entered 
on the journal. 

Neither house, during the session of Congress, shall, without the 
consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other 
place than that in which the two houses shall be sitting. 

Sec. 6. The Senators and Representatives shall receive a compen- 
sation for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the 
treasury of the United States. They shall in all cases, except treason, 



^28 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 

felony, and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their 
attendance at the session of their respective houses, and in going to and 
returning from the same ; and for any speech or debate in either house 
they shall not be questioned in any other place. 

No Senator or Representative shall, during the time for which he was 
elected, be appointed to any civil office under the authority of the United 
States, which shall have been created, or the emoluments whereof shall 
have been increased during such time ; and no person holding any office 
under the United States, shall be a member of either house during his 
continuance in office. 

Sec. 7. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of 
Representatives ; but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments 
as on other bills. 

Every bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and 
the Senate, shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the President 
the United States ; if he approve he shall sign it ; but if not he shall 
return it, with his objections, to that house in which it shall have origi- 
nated, who shall enter the objections at large on their journal, and 
proceed to reconsider it. If, after such reconsideration two-thirds of that 
house shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the objec- 
tions, to the other house, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if 
approved by two-thirds of that house, it shall become a law. But in all 
such cases the votes of both houses shall be determined by veas and nays, 
and the names of the persons voting for and against the bill shall be entered 
on the journal of each house respectively. If any bill shall not be returned 
by the President within ten days (Sundays excepted), after it shall have 
been presented to him, the same shall be a law, in like manner as if he 
had signed it, unless the Congress, by their adjournment, prevent its 
return, in which case it shall not be a law. 

Every order, resolution, or vote to which the concurrence of the 
Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a 
question of adjournment), shall be presented to the President of the 
United States, and before the same shall take effect shall be approved by 
him, or, being disapproved by him, shall be re-passed by two-thirds of 
the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the rules and lim- 
itations prescribed in the case of a bill. 

Sec. 8. The Congress shall have power — 

To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts, 
and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United 
Gtates ; but all duties, imposts, and excises shall be uniform throughout 
the United States ; 

To borrow money on the credit of the United States ; 

To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several 
Str.tes, and with the Indian tribes ; 

To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on 
the subject of bankruptcies throughout the United States ; 

To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin, and 
fix the standard of weights and measures ; 

To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and 
current coin of the United States; 

To establish post offices and post roads ; 



AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 129 

To promote the progress of sciences and useful arts, by securing, 
for 3'mited times, to authors and inventors, the exclusive right to their 
respective writings and discoveries ; 

To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court ; 

To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high 
seas, and offenses against the law of nations ; 

To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules 
concerning captures on land and water ; 

To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to that 
use shall be for a longer term than two years ; 

To provide and maintain a navy ; 

To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and 
naval forces ; 

To provide for calling farth the militia to execute the laws of the 
Union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions ; 

To provide for organizing, arming and disciplining the militia, and 
for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the 
United States, reserving to the states respectively the appointment of the 
officers, and the authority of training the militia according to the disci- 
pline prescribed by Congress ; 

To exercise legislation in all cases whatsoever over such district (not 
exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of particular states, and the 
acceptance of Congress, become the seat of the government of the United 
States, and to exercise like authority over all places purchased by the 
consent of the Legislature of the state in which the same shall be, for 
the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dock yards, and other needful 
buildings ; and 

To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying 
intc execution tlie foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this 
Constitution in the government of the United States, or in any depart- 
ment or officer thereof. 

Sec. 9. The migration or importation of such persons as any of the 
states now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited 
by the Congress prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight, 
but a tax or duty may be imposed on such importation, not exceeding ten 
dollars for each person. 

The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, 
unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may 
require it. 

No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed. 

No capitation or other direct tax shall be laid, unless in proportion 
to the census or enumeration hereinbefore directed to be taken. 

No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any state. 

No preference shall be given by any regulation of commerce or rev- 
enue to the ports of one state over those of another; nor shall vessels 
bound to or from one state be obliged to enter, clear, or pay duties in 
another. 

No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in consequence of 
appropriations made by law ; and a regular statement and account of 
the receipts and expeditures of all public money shall be published from 
time to time. 

9 



130 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 

No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States : and no 
person holding any office of profit or trust under them, shall, without the 
consent of the Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title 
of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state. 

Sec. 10. No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confeder- 
ation ; grant letters of marque and reprisal ; coin money ; emit bills of 
credit ; make anything but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of 
debts ; pass any bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law impairing the 
obligation of contracts, or grant any title of nobility. 

No state shall, without the consent of the Congress, lay any imposts 
or duties on imports or exports, except what may be absolutely necessary 
for executing its inspection laws, and the net produce of all duties and 
imposts laid by any state on imports or exports, shall be for the use of the 
Treasury of the United States , and all such laws shall be subject to the 
revision and control of the Congress. 

No state shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any duty on 
tonnage, keep troops or ships of war in time of peace, enter into any 
agreement or compact with another state, or with a foreign power, or 
■engage in war, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent danger as will 
not admit of delay. 

Article II. 

Section 1. The Executive power shall be vested in a President of 
the United States of America. He shall hold his office during the term 
of four years, and, together with the Vice-President chosen for the same 
term, be elected as follows : 

Each state shall appoint, in such manner as the Legislature thereof 
may direct, a number of Electors, equal to the whole number of Senators 
and Representatives to which the state may be entitled in the Congress; 
but no Senator or Representative, or person holding an office of trust or 
profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector. 

[ * The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by 
ballot for two persons, of whom one at least shall not be an inhabitant of 
the same state with themselves. And they shall make a list of all the 
persons voted for, and of the number of votes for each ; which list they 
shall sign and certify, and transmit, sealed, to the seat of the government 
of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The Pres- 
ident of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Rep- 
resentatives, open all the certificates, and the votes shall then be counted. 
The person having the greatest number of votes shall be the President, 
if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed ; 
and if there be more than one who have such majority, and have an equal 
number of votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately 
choose by ballot one of them for President ; and if no person have a ma- 
jority, then from the five highest on the list the said House shall in like 
manner choose the President. But in choosing the President, the vote 
shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one 
vote ; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members 
from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be 
necessary to a choice. In every case, after the choice of the President, 

• This clause between .brackets has been superseded and annulled by the Twelftbamendment. 



AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 131 

the person having the greatest number of votes of the Electors shall be 
the Vice-President. But if there should remain two or more who have 
equal votes, the Senate shall choose from them by ballot the Vice-Presi- 
dent.] 

The Congress may determine the time of choosing the Electors, and 
the day on which the}^ shall give their votes ; which day shall be the same 
throughout the United States. 

No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United 
States at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible 
to the office of President ; neither shall any person be eligible to that 
office who shall not have attained the age of thirty-five years, and been 
fourteen years a resident within the United States. 

In case of the removal of the President from office, or of his death, 
resignation, or inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said 
office, the same shall devolve on the Vice-Puesident, and the Congress 
may by law provide for the case of removal, death, resignation, or inabil- 
ity, both of the President and Vice-President, declaring what officer shall 
then act as President, and such officer shall act accordingly, until the dis- 
ability be removed, or a President shall be elected. 

The President shall, at stated times, receive for his services a com- 
pensation which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the 
period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive 
within that period any other emolument from the United States or any of 
them. 

Before he enters on the execution of his office, he shall take the fol- 
lowing oath or affirmation : 

" I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the 
office of President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, 
preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States." 

Sec. 2. The President shall be commander in chief of the army and 
navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several states, when 
called into the actual service of the United States ; he may require the 
opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of the executive 
departments, upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective 
offices, and he shall have powe]" to grant reprieves and pardon for offenses 
against the United States, exoept in cases of impeachment. 

He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the 
Senate, to make treaties, provided two-thirds of the Senators present con- 
cur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the advice of the Senate, 
shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, judges of 
the Supreme Court, and all other officers of the United States whose 
appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be 
established by law ; but the Congress may by law vest the appointment 
of such inferior officers as they think proper in the President alone, in 
the courts of law, or in the heads of departments. 

The President shall have power to fill up all vacancies that may 
happen during the recess of the Senate, by granting commissions which 
shall expire at the end of their next session. 

Sec. 3. He shall from time to time give to the Congress information 
of the state of the Union, and recommend to their consideration such mea- 
sures as he shall judge necessary and expedient ; he may on extraordinary 



132 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 

occasions convene both houses, or either of them, and in case of disagree- 
ment between them, with respect to the time of adjournment, he may 
adjourn tliem to such time as he shall think proper ; he shall receive 
ambassadors and other public ministers ; he shall take care that the laws be 
faithfully executed, and shall commission all the officers of the United 
States. 

Sec. 4. The President, Vice-President, and all civil officers of the 
United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and con- 
viction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. 

Article III. 

Section I. The judicial power of the United States shall be vested 
in one Supreme Court, and such inferior courts as the Congress may from 
time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the Supreme and 
inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good behavior, and shall, at 
stated times, receive for their services a compensation, which shall not be 
diminished during their continuance in office. 

Sec. 2. The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and 
equity, arising under this Constitution, the laws of the United States, and 
treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority ; to all cases 
affecting ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls ; to all cases of 
admiralty and maritime jurisdiction ; to controversies to which the United 
States shall be a party ; to controversies between two or more states ; 
between a state and citizens of another state ; between citizens of differ- 
ent states ; between citizens of the same state claiming lands under grants 
of different states, and between a state or the citizens thereof, and foreign 
states, citizens, or subjects. 

In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls, 
and those in which a state shall be a party, the Supreme Court shall have 
original jurisdiction. 

In all the other cases before mentioned, the Supreme Court shall 
have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such exceptions 
and under such regulations as the Congress shall make. 

The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by 
jury ; and such trial shall be held in the state where the said crimes shall 
have been committed ; but when not committed within any state, the 
trial shall be at such place or places as the Congress may by law have 
directed. 

Sec. 3. Treason against the United States shall consist only in levy- 
ing war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid 
and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the tes- 
timony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open 
court. 

The Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason, 
but no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture, 
except during the life of the person attainted. 

Article IV. 

Section 1. Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the 
public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state. And 



AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 133 

the Congress may, by general laws, prescribe the manner in which such 
acts, records, and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof. 

Sec. 2. The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privileges 
and immunities of citizens in the several states. 

A person charged in any state with treason, felony, or other crime, 
who shall flee from justice and be found in another state, shall, on demand 
of the executive authority of the state from which he fled, be delivered 
up, to be removed to the state having jurisdicfon of the crime. 

No person held to service or labor in one state, under the laws thereof 
escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any law or regulation 
therein, be discharged from such service or labor, but shall be delivered 
up on the claim of the party to whom such service or labor may be due. 

Sec. 3. New states may be admitted by the Congress into this Union ; 
but no new state shall be formed or erected within the jurisdiction of any 
other state ; nor any state be formed by the junction of two or more states, 
or parts of states, without the consent of the Legislatures of the states 
concerned, as well as of the Congress. 

The Congress shall have power to dispose of and make all needful 
rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging 
to the United States ; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed 
as to prejudice any claims of the United States or of any particular state. 

Sec. 4. The United States shall guarantee to every state in this 
Union a republican form of government, and shall protect each of them 
against invasion, and on application of the Legislature, or of the Execu- 
tive (when the Legislature can not be convened), against domestic vio- 
lence. 

Article V. 

The Congress, whenever two-thirds of both houses shall deem it 
necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on the ap- 
plication of the Legislatures of two-thirds of the several states, shall call 
a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be 
valid to all intents and purposes as part of this Constitution, when rati- 
fied by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several states, or by con- 
ventions in three-fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratifi- 
cation may be proposed by the Congress. Provided that no amendment 
which may be made prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and 
eight shall in any manner affect the first and fourth clauses in the ninth 
section of the first article ; and that no state, without its consent, shall 
be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate. 

Article VI. 

All debts contracted and engagements entered into before the adop- 
tion of this Constitution shall be as valid against the United States under 
this Constitution as under the Confederation. 

This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be 
made in pursuance thereof, and all treaties made, or which shall be made, 
under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the 
land ; and the Judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in 
the Constitution or laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding. 

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the mem- 



134 



CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 



bers of the several state Legislatures, and all executive and judicial offi^ 
cers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound 
by oath or affirmation to support this Constitution ; but no religious test 
shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under 
the United States. 

Article VII. 

The ratification of the Conventions of nine states shall be sufficient 
for the establishment of this Constitution between the states so ratifying 
the same. 

Done in convention by the unanimous consent of the states present, the 
seventeenth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand 
seven hundred and eighty-seven, and of the independence of the 
United States of America the twelfth. In witness whereof we have 
hereunto subscribed our names. 

GEO. WASHINGTON, 
President arid Deputy from Virginia. 



New Hampshire. 
John Langdon, 
Nicholas Gilman. 

Massachusetts. 
Nathaniel Goeham, 
RuFus King. 

Connecticut. 
"Wm. Sam'l Johnson, 
Roger Sherman. 



Delaware. 
Geo. Read, 
John Dickinson, 
Jaco. Broom, 
Gunning Bedford, Jr., 
Richard Bassett. 

Maryland. 
James M'Henry, 
Danl. Carroll, 
Dan. of St. Thos. Jenifer. 



New York. 
Alexander Hamilton. 

New Jersey. 
WiL. Livingston, 
Wm. Paterson, 
David Brearley, 
JoNA. Dayton. 



Virginia. 
John Blair, 
James Madison, Jr. 

North Carolina. 
Wm. Blount, 
Hu. Williamson, 
Rich'd Dobbs Spaight. 



Pennsylvania. 
B. Franklin, 
Robt. Morris, 
Thos. Fitzsimons, 
James Wilson, 
Thos. Mifflin, 
Geo. Clymer, 
Jared Ingersoll, 
Gouv. Morris. 



South Carolina. • 

J. Rutledge, 
Charles Pinckney, 
Chas. Cotesworth Pinckney, 
Pierce Butler. 

Georgia. 
William Few, 
Abr. Baldwin. 

WILLIAM JACKSON, Secretary. 



AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 135 



Akticles in Addition to and Amendatory of the Constitution 
OF THE United States of America. 

Proposed hy Congress and ratified by the Legislatures of the several states^ 
pursuant to the fifth article of the original Constitution. 

Article I. 

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, 
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of 
speech, or of the press ; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, 
and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. 

Article II. 

A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free 
state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. 

Article III. 

No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without 
the consent of the owner, nor in time of war but in a manner to be pre- 
scribed by law. 

Article IV. 

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers* 
and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be vio- 
lated ; and no warrants shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by 
oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched 
and the persons or things to be seized. 

Article V. 

No person shall be held to answer for a capital or otherwise infamous 
crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in 
cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia when in actual 
service in time of war or public danger ; " nor shall any person be subject 
for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb ; nor shall 
be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be 
deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law ; nor 
shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. 

Article VI. 

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a 
speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district 
wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have 
been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and 
cause of the accusation ; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; 
to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor ; and to 
have the assistance of counsel for his defense. 

Article VII. 

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed 
twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shaU be preserved, and no fact 



136 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 

tried by a jury shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United 
States than according to the rules of the common law. 

Article VIII. 

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, 
nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. 

Article IX. 

The enumeration, in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be 
construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. 

Article X. 

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, 
nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, 
or to the people. 

Article XI. 

The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to 
extend to any suit in law or equity commenced or prosecuted against one 
of the United States by citizens of another state, or by citizens or sub- 
jects of any foreign state. 

Article XII. 

The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot 
for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an 
inhabitant of the same state with themselves ; they shall name in their 
ballots the person to be voted for as president, and in distinct ballots the 
person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of 
all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice- 
President, and of the number of votes for each, vv^hich list they shall sign 
and certif^s and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United 
States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the 
Senate shall, in presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, 
open all the certificates, and the votes shall then be counted. The person 
having the greatest number of votes for President shall be the President, 
if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed ; 
and if no person have such majorit}^, then from the persons having the 
highest number not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as 
President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by 
ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be 
taken by States, the representation from each state having one vote; a 
quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two- 
thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to 
a choice. And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a Presi- 
dent whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the 
fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as 
President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of 
the President. The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice- 
President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be the majority 
of the whole number of electors appointed, and if no person have a major- 



AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 137 

itj; then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose 
the Vice-President ; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds 
of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number 
shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible 
to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the 
United States. 

Aeticle XIII. 

Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a 
punishment for crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, 
shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their juris- 
diction. 

Sec. 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appro- 
priate legislation. 

Article XIV. 

Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States and 
subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States, and 
of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law 
which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United 
States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, 
without due process of law, nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction 
the equal protection of the laws. 

Sec. 2. Representatives shall be appointed among the several states 
according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of per- 
sons in each state, excluding Indians not taxed ; but when the right to 
vote at any election for the choice of Electors for President and Vice- 
President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the execu- 
tive and judicial officers of a state, or the members of the Legislature 
thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such state, being 
twenty-one years of age and citizens of the United States, or in any way 
abridged except for participation in rebellion or other crimes, the basis of 
representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the num- 
ber of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens 
twenty-one years of age in such state. 

Sec. 3. No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, 
or Elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or 
military, under the United States, or under any state, who, having previ- 
ously taken an oath as a Member of Congress, or as an officer of the 
United States, or as a member of any state Legislature, or as an execu- 
tive or judicial officer of any state to support the Constitution of the 
United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the 
same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may. 
by a vote of two-thirds of each house, remove such disability. 

Sec. 4. The validity of the public debt of the United States author- 
ized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and boun- 
ties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be ques- 
tioned. But neither the United States nor any state shall pay any debt 
or obligation incurred in the aid of insurrection or rebellion against the 
United States, or any loss or emancipation of any slave, but such debts, 
obligations, and claims shall be held illegal and void. 



138 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 



Article XV. 



Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not 
be denied or abridged by the United States, or by any State, on account of 
race, color, or previous condition of servitude. 



ABSTRACT OF IO¥A STATE LAWS. 



BILLS OF EXCHANGE AND PROMISSORY NOTES. 

Upon negotiable bills, and notes payable in this State, grace shall be allowed 
according to the law merchant. All the above mentioned paper falling due on 
Sunday, New Year's Day, the Fourth of July, Christmas, or any day appointed 
or recommended by the President of the United States or the Governor of the 
State, as a day of fast or thanksgiving, shall be deemed as due on the day pre- 
vious. No defense can be made against a negotiable instrument (assigned before 
due) in the hands of the assignee without notice, except fraud was used in 
obtaining the same. To hold an indorser, due diligence must be used by suit 
against the maker or his representative. Notes payable to person named or to 
order, in order to absolutely transfer title, must be indorsed by the payee. 
Notes payable to bearer may be transferred by delivery, and when so payable, 
every indorser thereon is held as a guarantor of payment, unless otherwise 
expressed. 

In computing interest or discount on negotiable instruments, a month shall 
be considered a calendar month or twelfth of a year, and for less than a month, 
a day shall be figured a thirtieth part of a month. Notes only bear interest 
when so expressed ; but after due, they draw the legal interest, even if not 
stated. 

INTEREST. 

The legal rate of interest is six per cent. Parties may agree, in writing, 
on a rate not exceeding ten per cent. If a rate of interest greater than ten 
per cent, is contracted" for, it works a forfeiture of ten per cent, to the school 
fund, and only the principal sum can be recovered. 

DESCENT. 

The personal property of the deceased (except (1) that necessary for pay- 
ment of debts and expenses of administration ; (2) property set apart to widow, 
as exempt from execution; (3) allowance by court, if necessary, of twelve 
months' support to widow, and to children under fifteen years of age), including 
life insurance, descends as does real estate. 

One-third in value (absolutely) of all estates in real property, possessed by 
husband at any time during marriage, which have not been sold on execution 
or other judicial sale, and to which the wife has made no relinquishment of her 
right, shall be set apart as her property, in fee simple, if she survive him. 



ABSTRACT OF IOWA STATE LAWS. 139 

The same share shall be set apart to the surviving husband of a deceased 
wife. 

The widow's share cannot be affected by any will of her husband's, unless 
she consents, in writing thereto, within six months after notice to her of pro- 
visions of the will. 

The provisions of the statutes of descent apply alike to surviving husband 
or surviving wife. 

Subject to the above., the remaining estate of which the decedent died 
siezed, shall in absence of other arrangements by will, descend 

First. To his or her children and their descendants in equal parts ; the 
descendants of the deceased child or grandchild taking the share of their 
deceased parents in equal shares amoHg them. 

Second. Where there is no child, nor descendant of such child, and no 
widow or surviving husband, then to the parents of the deceased in equal parts ; 
the surviving parent, if either be dead, taking the whole ; and if there is no 
parent living, then to the brothers and sisters of the intestate and their descend- 
ants. 

Third. When there is a widow or surviving husband, and no child or chil- 
dren, or descendants of the same, then one-half of the estate shall descend to 
such widow or surviving husband, absolutely ; and the other half of the estate 
shall descend as in other cases where there is no widow or surviving husband, 
or child or children, or descendants of the same. 

Fourth. If there is no child, parent, brother or sister, or descendants of 
either of them, then to wife of intestate, or to her heirs, if dead, according to 
like rules. 

Fifth. If any intestate leaves no child, parent, brother or sister, or de- 
scendants of either of thein, and no widow or surviving husband, and no child, 
parent, brother or sister (or descendant of either of them) of such widow or 
surviving husband, it shall escheat to the State. 



WILLS AND ESTATES OF DECEASED PERSONS. 

No exact form of words are necessary in order to make a will good at law. 
Every male person of the age of twenty-one years, and every female of the age 
of eighteen years, of sound mind and memory, can make a valid will ; it must 
be in writing, signed by the testator, or by some one in his or her presence, and 
by his or her express direction, and attested ])y two or more competent wit- 
nesses. Care should be taken that the witnesses are not interested in the will. 
Inventory to be made by executor or administrator within fifteen days from 
date of letters testamentary or of administration. Executors' and administra- 
tors' compensation on amount of personal estate distributed, and for proceeds of 
sale of real estate, five per cent, for first one thousand dollars, two and one-half 
per cent, on overplus up to five thousand dollars, and one per cent, on overplus 
above five thousand dollars, with such additional allowance as shall be reasona- 
ble for extra services. 

Within ten days after the receipt of letters of administration, the executor 
or administrator shall give such notice of appointment as the court or clerk shall 
direct. 

Claims (other than preferred) must be filed within one year thereafter, are 
forever barred, unless the claim is pending in the District or Supreme Court, or 
unless peculiar circumstances entitle the claimant to equitable relief. 



140 ABSTRACT OF IOWA STATE LAWS. 

Claims are classed and payable in the following order : 

1. Expenses of administration. 

2. Expenses of last sickne.«s and funeral. 

3. Allowance to widow and children, if made by the court. 

4. Debts preferred under laws of the United States. 

5. Public rates and taxes. 

6. Claims filed within six months after the first publication of the notice 
given b J the executors of their appointment. 

7. All other debts. 

8. Legacies. 

The atvard, or property which must be set apart to the widow, in her own 
right, by the executor, includes all personal property which, in the hands of th<» 
deceased, as head of a family, would have been exempt from execution. 



TAXES. 

The owners of personal property, on the first day of January of each year, 
and the owners of real property on the first day of November of each year, are 
liable for the taxes thereon. 

The following property is exempt from taxation, viz. : 

1. The property of the. United States and of this State, including univer- 
sity, agricultural, college and school lands and all property leased to the State ; 
property of a county, township, city, incorporated town or school district when 
devoted entirely to the public use and not held for pecuniary profit ; public 
grounds, including all places for the burial of the dead ; fire engines and all 
implements for extinguishing fires, with the grounds used exclusively for their 
buildings and for the meetings of the fire companies ; all public libraries, 
grounds and buildings of literary, scientific, benevolent, agricultural and reli- 
gious institutions, and societies devoted solely to the appropriate objects of these 
institutions, not exceeding 640 acres in extent, and not leased or otherwise used 
with a view of pecuniary profit ; and all property leased to agricultural, charit- 
able institutions and benevolent societies, and so devoted during the term of such 
lease ; provided, that all deeds, by which such property is held, shall be duly 
filed for record before the property therein described shall be omitted from the 
assessment. 

"*' 2. The books, papers and apparatus belonging to the above institutions; 
used solely for the purposes above contemplated, and the like property of stu- 
dents in any such institution, used for their education. 

3. Money and credits belonging exclusively to such institutions and devoted 
solely to sustaining them, but not exceeding in amount or income the sum pre- 
scribed by their charter. 

4. Animals not hereafter specified, the wool shorn from sheep, belonging to 
the person giving the list, his farm produce harvested within one year previous 
to the listing ; private libraries not exceeding three hundred dollars in value ; 
family pictures, kitchen furniture, beds and bedding requisite for each family, 
all wearing apparel in actual use, and all food provided for the family ; but no 
person from whom a compensation for board or lodging is received or expected, 
is to be considered a member of the family within the intent of this clause. , 

'^ 5. The polls or estates or both of persons who, by reason of age or infirm- 
ity, may, in the opinion of the Assessor, be unable to contribute to the public 



ABSTRACT OF IOWA STATE LAWS. 141 

revenue ; such opinion and the fact upon which it is based being in all cases 
reported to the Board of Equalization by the Assessor or any other person, and 
subject to reversal by them. 

6. The farming utensils of any person- who makes his livelihood by farming, 
and the tools of any mechanic, not in either case to exceed three hundred dollars 
in value. 

7. Government lands entered or located or lands purchased from this State, 
should not be taxed for the year in Avhich the entry, location or purchase is 
made. 

There is also a suitable exemption, in amount, for planting fruit trees or 
forest trees or hedges. 

Where buildings are destroyed by fire, tornado or other unavoidable casu- 
alty, after being assessed for the year, the Board of Supervisors nr.iy rebate 
taxes for that year on the property destroyed, if same has not been sold for 
taxes, and if said taxes have not been delinqrient for thirty days at the time of 
destruction of the property, and the rebate shall be allowed for such loss only 
as is not covered by insurance. 

All other property is subject to taxation. Every inhabitant of full age and 
sound mind shall assist the Assessor in listing all taxable properiy of which 
he is the owner, or which he controls or manages, either as agent, guardian, 
father, husband, trustee, executor, accounting officer, partner, mortgagor or 
lessor, mortgagee or lessee. 

Road beds of railway corporations shall not be assessed to owners of adja- 
cent property,' but shall be considered the property of the companies for pur- 
poses of taxation ; nor shall real estate used as a public highway be assessed 
and taxed as part of adjacent lands whence the same was taken for such public 
purpose. 

The property of railway, telegraph and express companies shall be listed 
and assessed for taxation as the property of an individual would be listed and 
assessed for taxation. Collection of taxes made as in the case of an individual. 

The Township Board of Equalization shall meet first Monday in April of 
each year. Appeal lies to the Circuit Court. 

The County Board of Eqalization (the Board of Supervisors) meet at their 
regular session in June of each year. Appeal lies to the Circuit Court. 

Taxes become delinquent February 1st of each year, payable, without 
interest or penalty, at any time before March 1st of each year. 

Tax sale is held on first Monday in October of each year. 

Redemption may be made at any time within three years after date of sale, 
by paying to the County Auditor the amount of sale, and ttventy jjer ceiitum of 
such amount immediately added as penalty, with ten per cent, interest per 
annum on the whole amount thus made from the day of sale, and also all sub- 
sequent taxes, interest and costs paid by purchaser after March 1st of each 
year, and a similar penalty of twenty per centum added as before, with ten per 
cent, interest as before. 

If notice has been given, by purchaser, of the date at which the redemption 
is limited, the cost of same is added to the redemption money. Ninety days' 
notice is required, by the statute, to be published by the purchaser or holder of 
certificate, to terminate the right of redemption. 



142 ABSTRACT OF IOWA STATE LAWS 

JURISDICTION OF COURTS 

DISTRICT COURTS 

have jurisdiction, general and original, both civil and criminal, except in such 
cases where Circuit Courts have exclusive jurisdiction. District Courts have 
exclusive supervision over courts of Justices of the Peace and Magistrates, in 
criminal matters, on appeal and writs of error. 

CIRCUIT COURTS 

have jurisdiction, general and original, with the District Courts, in all civil 
actions and special proceedings, and exclusive jurisdiction in all appeals and 
writs of error from inferior courts, in civil matters. And exclusive jurisdiction 
in matters of estates and general probate business. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE 

have jurisdiction in civil matters where $100 or less is involved. By consent 
of parties, the jurisdiction may be extended to an amount not exceeding |30U. 
They have jurisdiction to try and determine all public offense less than felony, 
committed within their respective counties, in which the fine, by law, does not 
exceed ^'100 or the imprisonment thirty days. 

LIMITATION OF ACTIONS. 

Action for injuries to the person or reputation; for a stutute penalty; and 
to enforce a mechanics' lien, must be brought in tAvo (2) years. 

Those against a public officer within three (3) years. 

Those founded on unwritten contracts; for injuries to property ; for relief 
on the ground of fraud ; and all other actions not otherwise provided for, within 
five (5) years. 

Those founded on written contracts; on judgments of any court (except 
those provided for in next section), and for the recovery of real property, within 
ten (10) years. 

Those founded on judgment of any court of racord in the United States, 
within twenty (20) years. 

All above limits, except those for penalties and forfeitures, are extended in 
favor of minors and insane persons, until one year after the disability is removed 
— time during which defendant is a non-resident of the State shall not be 
included in computing any of the above periods. 

Actions for the recovery of real property, sold for non-payment of taxes, 
must be brought within five years after the Treasurer's Deed is executed 
and recorded, except where a minor or convict or insane person is the owner, 
and they shall be allowed five years after disability is removed, in which to 
bring action. 

JURORS. 

All qualified electors of the State, of good moral character, sound judgment, 
and in full possession of the senses of hearing and seeing, are competent jurors 
in their respective counties. 

United States officers, practicing attorneys, physicians ond clergymen, 
acting professors or teachers in institutions of learning, and persons disabled by 



AxlSTRACT OF IOWA STATE LAWS. 1^3 

bodily infirmity or over sixty-five years of age, are exempt from liability to act 
as jurors. 

Any person may be excused from serving on a jury when his own interests 
or the public's will be materially injured by his attendance, or when the state of 
his health or the death, or sickness of his family requires his absence. 

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT 

was restored by the Seventeenth General Assembly, making it optional with 
the jury to inflict it or not. 

A MARRIED WOMAN 

may convey or incumber real estate, or interest therein, belonging to her ; may 
control the same or contract with reference thereto, as other persons may con- 
vey, encumber, control or contract. 

She may own, acquire, hold, convey and devise property, as her husband 
may. 

Her husband is not liable for civil injuries committed by her. 

She may convey property to her husband, and he may convey to her. 

She may constitute her husband her attorney in fact. 

EXEMPTIONS FROM EXECUTION. 

A resident of the State and head of a family may hold the following prop- 
erty exempt from execution : All wearing apparel of himself and family kept for 
actual use and suitable to the condition, and the trunks or other receptacles nec- 
essary to contain the same ; one musket or rifle and shot-gun ; all private 
libraries, family Bibles, portraits, pictures, musical instruments, and paintings 
not kept for the purpose of sale ; a seat or pew occupied by the debtor or his 
family in any house of public worship ; an interest in a public or private burying 
ground not exceeding one acre; two cows and a calf; one horse, unless a horse 
is exempt as hereinafter provided ; fifty sheep and the wool therefrom, and the 
materials manufactured from said wool ; six stands of bees ; five hogs and all 
pigs under six months ; the necessary food for exempted animals for six months ; 
all flax raised from one acre of ground, and manufactures therefrom ; one bed- 
stead and necessary bedding for every two in the family ; all cloth manufactured 
by the defendant not exceeding one hundred yards ; household and kitchen fur- 
niture not exceeding two hundred dollars in value ; all spinning wheels and 
looms ; one sewing machine and other instruments of domestic laber kept for 
actual use ; the necessary provisions and fuel for the use of the family for six 
months ; the proper tools, instruments, or books of the debtor, if a farmer, 
mechanic, surveyor, clergyman, lawyer, physician, teacher or professor; the 
horse or the team, consisting of not more than two horses or mules, or two yokes 
of cattle, and the wagon or other vehicle, with the proper harness or tackle, by 
the use of which the debtor, if a physician, public officer, farmer, teamster or 
other laborer, habitually earns his living ; and to the debtor, if a printer, there 
shall also be exempt a printing press and the types, furniture and material nec- 
essary for the use of such printing press, and a newspaper office to the value of 
twelve hundred dollars ; the earnings of such debtor, or those of his family, at 
any time within ninety days next precednig the levy. 

Persons unmarried and not the head of a family, and non-residents, have 
exempt their own ordinary wearing apparel and trunks to contain the same. 



144 ABSTRACT OF IOWA STATE LAWS. 

There is also exempt, to a head of a family, a homestead, not exceeding forty 
acres ; or, if inside city limits, one-half acre with improvements, value not 
limited. The homestead is liable for all debts contracted prior to its acquisition as 
such, and is subject to mechanics' liens for work or material furnished for the same. 

An article, otherwise exempt, is liable, on execution, for the purchase 
money thereof. 

Where a debtor, if a head of a family, has started to leave the State, he shall 
have exempt only the ordinary wearing apparel of himself and family, and 
other property in addition, as he may select, in all not exceeding seventy-five 
dollars in value. 

A policy of life insurance shall inure to the separate use of the husband or 
wife and children, entirely independent of his or her creditors. 

ESTRAYS. 

An unbroken animal shall not be taken up as an estray between May 1st 
and November 1st, of each year, unless the same be found within the lawful 
enclosure of a householder, who alone can take up such animal, unless some 
other person gives him notice of the fact of such animal coming on his place ; 
and if he fails, within five days thereafter, to take up such estray, any other 
householder of the township may take up such estray and proceed with it as if 
taken on his own premises, provided he shall prove to the Justice of the Peace 
such notice, and shall make affidavit where such estray was taken up. 

Any swine, sheep, goat, horse, neat cattle or other animal distrained (for 
damage done to one's enclosure), when the owner is not known, shall be treated 
as an estray. 

Within five days after taking up an estray, notice, containing a full descrip- 
tion thereof, shall be posted up in three of the most public places in the town- 
ship ; and in ten days, the person taking up such estray shall go before a Justice 
of the Peace in the township and make oath as to where such estray was taken 
up, and that the marks or brands have not been altered, to his knowledge. The 
estray shall then be appraised, by order of the Justice, and the appraisement, 
description of the size, age, color, sex, marks and brands of the estray shall be 
entered by the Justice in a book kept for that purpose, and he shall, within ten 
days thereafter, send a certified copy thereof to the County Auditor. 

When the appraised value of an estray does not exceed five dollars, the 
Justice need not proceed further than to enter the description of the estray on 
his book, and if no owner appears within six months, the property shall vest in 
the finder, if he has complied with the law and paid all costs. 

Where appraised value of estray exceeds five and is less than ten dollars, if 
no owner appears in nine months, the finder has the property, if he has com- 
plied with the law and paid costs. 

An estray, legally taken up, may be used or worked with care and 
moderation. 

If any person unlawfully take up an estray, or take up an estray and fiiil to 
comply with the law regarding estrays, or use or work it contrary to above, or 
work it before having it appraised, or keep such estray out of the county more 
than five days at one time, before acquiring ownership, such off"ender shall forfeit 
to the county twenty dollars, and the owner may recover double damages with 
costs. 

If the owner of any estray fail to claim and prove his title for one year after 
the taking up, and the finder shall have complied with the law, a comnlete title 
vests in the finder. 



ABSTRACT OF IOWA STATE LAWS. 145 

But if the owner appear within eighteen months from the taking up, prove 
his ownership and pay all costs and expenses, the finder shall pay him the 
appraised value of such estray, or may, at his option, deliver up the estray. 

WOLF SCALPS. 
A bounty of one dollar is paid for wolf scalps. 

MARKS AND BRANDS. 

Any person may adopt his own mark or brand for his domestic animals, and 
have a description thereof recorded by the Township Clerk. 

No person shall adopt the recorded mark or brand of any other person 
residing in his township. 

DAMAGES FROM TRESPASS. 

• 

When any person's lands are enclosed by a laxvful fence, the owner of any 
domestic animal injuring said lands is liable for the damages, and the damages 
may be recovered by suit against the owner, or may be made by distraining the 
animals doing the damage ; and if the party injured elects to recover by action 
against the owner, no appraisement need be made by the Trustees, as in case of 
distraint. 

When trespassing animals are distrained within twenty-four hours, Sunday 
not included, the party injured shall notify the owner of said animals, if known ; 
and if the owner fails to satisfy the party within twenty-four hours thereafter, 
the party shall have the township Trustees assess the damage, and notice shall 
be posted up in three conspicuous places in the township, that the stock, or part 
thereof, shall, on the tenth day after posting the notice, between the hours of 1 
and 3 P. M., be sold to the highest bidder, to satisfy said damages, with costs. 

Appeal lies, within twenty days, from the action of the Trustees to the Cir- 
cuit Court. 

Where stock is restrained, by police regulation or by law, from running at 
large, any person injured in his improved or cultivated lands by any domestic 
animal, may, by action against the owner of such animal, or by distraining such 
animal, recover his damages, whether the lands whereon the injury was done 
were inclosed by a lawful fence or not. 

FENCES. 

A lawful fence is fifty-four inches high, made of rails, wire or boards, with 
posts not more than ten feet apart where rails are used, and eight feet where 
boards are used, substantially built and kept in good repair ; or any other fence 
which, in the opinion of the Fence Viewers, shall be declared a lawful fence — 
provided the lower rail, wire or board be not more that twenty nor less than six- 
teen inches from the ground. 

The respective owners of lands enclosed with fences shall maintain partition 
fences between their own and next adjoining enclosure so long as they impiove 
them in equal shares, unless otherwise agreed between them. 

If any party neglect to maintain such partition fence as he should maintain, 
the Fence Viewers (the township Trustees), upon complaint of aggrieved party, 
may, upon due notice to both parties, examine the fence, and. if found insuf- 
10 ' • 



14:6 ABSTRACT OF IOWA STATE LAWS. 

ficient, notify the delinquent party, in writing, to repair or re-build the same 
within such time as they judge reasonable. 

If the fence be not repaired or rebuilt accordingly, the complainant may do 
so, and the same being adjudged sufficient by the Fence Viewers, and the 
value thereof, with their fees, being ascertained and certified under their hands, 
the complainant may demand of the delinquent the sum so ascertained, and if 
the same be not paid in one month after demand, may recover it with one per 
cent a month interest, by action. 

In case of disputes, the Fence Viewers may decide as to who shall erect or 
maintain partition fences, and in what time the same shall be done ; and in case 
any party neglect to maintain or erect such part as may be assigned to him, 
the aggrieved party may erect and maintain the same, and recover double 
damages. 

No person, not wishing his land inclosed, and not using it otherwise than in 
common, shall be compelled to maintain any partition fence ; but when he uses 
or incloses his land otherwise than in common, he shall contribute to the parti- 
tion fences. • 

Where parties have had their lands inclosed in common, and one of the 
owners desires to occupy his separate and apart from the other, and the other 
refuses to divide the line or build a sufficient fence on the line when divided, 
the Fence Viewers may divide and assign, and upon neglect of the other to 
build as ordered by the Viewers, the one may build the other's part and 
recover as above. 

And when one incloses land which has lain uninclosed, he must pay for 
one-half of each partition fence between himself and his neighbors. 

Where one desires to lay not less than twenty feet of his lands, adjoining 
his neighbor, out to the public to be used in common, he must give his neighbor 
SIX months' notice thereof. 

Where a fence has been built on the land of another through mistake, the 
owner may enter upon such premises and remove his fence and material withn 
six months after the division line has been ascertained. Where the material to 
build such a fence has been taken from the land on which it was built, then, 
before it can be removed, the person claiming must first pay for such material 
to the owner of the land from which it was taken, nor shall such a fence be 
removed at a time when the removal will throw open or expose the crops of the 
other party ; a reasonable time must be given beyond the six months to remove 
crops. 

MECHANICS' LIENS. 

Every mechanic, or other person who shall do any labor upon, or furnish 
any materials, machinery or fixtures for any building, erection or other improve- 
ment upon land, including those engaged in the construction or repair of any 
work of internal improvement, by virtue of any contract with the owner, his 
agent, trustee, contractor, or sub-contractor, shall have a lien, on complying 
■with the forms of law, upon the building or other improvement for his labor 
done or materials furnished. 

It would take too large a space to detail the manner in which a sub- 
contractor secures his lien. He should file, within thirty days after the last of 
the labor was performed, or the last of the material shall have been furnished, 
with the Clerk of the District Court a true account of the amount due him, after 
allowing all credits, setting forth the time when such material was furnished or 
labor performed, and when completed, and containing a correct descriptioji of 



ABSTRACT OF IOWA STATE LAWS. 147 

the property sought to be charged with the lien, and the whole verified by 
affidavit. 

A principal contractor must file such an affidavit within ninety days, as 
above. 

Ordinarily, there are so many points to be examined in order to secure a 
mechanics' lien, that it is much better, unless one is accustomed to managing 
such liens, to consult at once with an attorney. 

Remember that the proper time to file the claim is ninety days for a princi- 
pal contractor, thirtj' days for a sub-contractor, as above ; and that actions to 
enforce these liens must be commenced within two years, and the rest can much 
better be done with an attorney. 

ROADS AND BRIDGES. 

Persons meeting each other on the public highways, shall give one-half of 
the same by turning to the right. All persons failing to observe this rule shall 
be liable to pay all damages resulting therefrom, together with a fine, not exceed- 
ing five dollars. 

The prosecution must be instituted on the complaint of the person wronged. 

Any person guilty of racing horses, or driving upon the public highway, in 
a manner likely to endanger the persons or the lives of others, shall, on convic- 
tion, be fined not exceeding one hundred dollars or imprisoned not exceeding 
thirty days. 

It is a misdemeanor, without authority from the proper Road Supervisor, to 
break upon, plow or dig within the boundary lines of any public highway. 

The money tax levied upon the property in each road district in each town- 
ship (except the general Township Fund, set apart for purchasing tools, machin- 
ery and guide boards), whether collected by the Road Supervisor or County 
Treasurer, shall be expended for highway purposes in that district, and no part 
thereof shall be paid out or expended for the benefit of another district. 

The Road Supervisor of each district, is bound to keep the roads and bridges 
therein, in as good condition as the funds at his disposal will permit ; to put 
guide boards at cross roads and forks of highways in his district ; and when noti- 
fied in writing that any portion of the public highway, or any bridge is unsafe, 
must in a reasonable time repair the same, and for this purpose may call out 
any or all the able bodied men in the district, but not more than two days at 
one time, without their consent. 

Also, Avhen notified in writing, of the growth of any Canada thistles upon 
vacant or non-resident lands or lots, within his district, the owner, lessee or 
agent thereof being unknown, shall cause the same to be destroyed. 

Bridges when erected or maintained by the public, are parts of the highway, 
and must not be less than sixteen feet wide. 

A penalty is imposed upon any one who rides or drives faster than a walk 
across any such bridge. 

The manner of establishing, vacating or altering roads, etc., is so well known 
to all township officers, that it is sufficient here to say that the first step is by 
petition, filed in the Auditor's office, addressed in substance as follows : 

The Board of Supervisors of County : The undersigned asks that 

a highway, commencing at and running thence and terminating 

at , be established, vacated or altered (as the case may be.) 

When the petition is filed, all necessary and succeeding steps will be shown 
and explained to the petitioners by the Auditor. 



148 ABSTRACT OF IOWA STATE LAWS. 



ADOPTION OF CHILDREN. 

Any person competent to make a will can adopt as his own the minor child 
of another. The consent of both parents, if living and not divorced or separ- 
ated, and if divorced or separated, or if unmarried, the consent of the parent 
lawfully having the custody of the child ; or if either parent is dead, then the 
consent of the survivor, or if both parents be dead, or the child have been and 
remain abandoned by them, then the consent of the Mayor of the city where 
the child is living, or if not in the city, then of the Clerk of the Circuit Court 
of the county shall be given to such adoption by an instrument in writing, 
signed by party or parties consenting, and stating the names of the parties, if 
known, the name of the child, if known, the name of the person adopting such 
child, and the residence of all, if known, and declaring the name by which the 
child is thereafter to be called and known, and stating, also, that such child is 
given to the person adopting, for the purpose of adoption as his own child. 

The person adopting shall also sign said instrument, and all the parties shall 
acknowledge the same in the manner that deeds conveying lands shall be 
acknowledged. 3> 

The instrument shall be recorded in the office of the County Recorder. 

SURVEYORS AND SURVEYS. 

There is in every county elected a Surveyor known as County Surveyor, 
who has power to appoint deputies, for whose official acts he is responsible. It 
is the duty of the County Surveyor, either by himself or his Duputy, to make 
all surveys that he may be called upon to make within his county as soon as 
may be after application is made. The necessary chainmen and other assist- 
ance must be employed by the person requiring the same to be done, and to be 
by him paid, unless otherwise agreed ; but the chainmen must be disinterested 
persons and approved by the Surveyor and sworn by him to measure justly and 
impartially. Previous to any survey, he shall furnish himself with a copy of 
the field notes of the original survey of the same land, if there be any in the 
office of the County Auditor, and his survey shall be made in accordance there- 
with. 

Their fees are three dollars per day. For certified copies of field notes, 
twenty-five cents. 

SUPPORT OF POOR. 

The father, mother and children of any poor person who has applied for aid, 
and who is unable to maintain himself by work, shall, jointly or severally, 
maintain such poor person in such manner as may be approved by the Town- 
ship Trustees. 

In the absence or inability of nearer relatives, the same liability shall extend 
to the grandparents, if of ability without personal labor, and to the male grand- 
children who are of ability, by personal labor or otherwise. 

The Township Trustees may, upon the failure of such relatives to maintain 
a poor person, who has made application for relief, apply to the Circuit Court 
for an order to compel the same. 

Upon ten days' notice, in writing, to the parties sought to be charged, a 
hearing may be had, and an order made for entire or partial support of the poor 
person. 



ABSTRACT OF IOWA STATE LAWS. 1'^^ 

Appeal may be taken from such judgment as from other judgments of the 
Circuit Court. 

When any person, having any estate, abandons either chihh-en, wife or hus- 
band, leaving them chargeable, or likely to become chargeable, upon the public for 
support, upon proof of above fiict, an order may be had from the Clerk of tlie 
Circuit Court, or Judge, authorizing the Trustees or the Sheriff to take into 
possession such estate. 

The Court may direct such personal estate to be sold, to be applied, as well 
as the rents and profits of the real estate, if any, to the support of children, 
wife or husband. 

If the party against whom the order is issued return and support the per- 
son abandoned, or give security for the same, the order shall be discharged, and 
the property taken returned. 

The mode of relief for the poor, through the action of the Township 
Trustees, or the action of the Board of Supervisors, is so well known to everv 
township ofiicer, and the circumstances attending applications for relief are so 
varied, that it need now only be said that it is the duty of each county to pro- 
vide for its poor, no matter at what place they may be. 



LANDLORD AND TENANT. 

A tenant giving notice to quit demised premises at a time named, and after- 
"ward holding over, and a tenant or his assignee willfully holding over the prem- 
ises after the term, and after notice to quit, shall pay double rent. 

Any person in possession of real property, with the assent of the owner, is 
presumed to be a tenant at will until the contrary is shown. 

Thirty days' notice, in writing, is necessary to be given by either party 
before he can terminate a tenancy at will ; but when, in any case, a rent is 
reserved payable at intervals of less than thirty days, the length of notice need 
not be greater than such interval between the days of payment. In case of 
tenants occupying and cultivating farms, the notice must fix the termination of 
the tenancy to take place on the 1st day of March, except in cases of field 
tenants or croppers, whose leases shall be held to expire when the crop is har- 
vested ; provided, that in case of a crop of corn, it shall not be later than the 
1st day of December, unless otherwise agreed upon. But when an express 
agreement is made, whether the same has been reduced to writing or not, 
the tenancy shall cease at the time agreed upon, without notice. 

But where an express agreement is made, whether reduced to writing or 
not, the tenancy shall cease at the time agreed upon, without notice. 

If such tenant cannot be found in the county, the notices above required 
may be given to any sub-tenant or other person in possession of the premises ; 
or, if the premises be vacant, by affixing the notice to the principal door of the 
building or in some conspicuous position on the land, if there be no building. 

The landlord shall have a lien for his rent upon all the crops grown on the 
premises, and upon any other personal property of the tenant used on the 
premises during the term, and not exempt from execution, for the period of one 
year after a year's rent or the rent of a shorter period claimed falls due ; but 
such lien shall not continue more than six months after the expiration of the 
term. 

The lien may be effected by the commencement of an action, within the 
period above prescribed, for the rent alone ; and the landlord is entitled to a writ 



150 



ABSTRACT OF IOWA STATE LAWS. 



of attachment, upon filing an affidavit that the action is commenced to rcover 
rent accrued within one year previous thereto upon the premises described in the 
affidavit. 



WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. 

Whenever any of the following articles shall be contracted for, or sold or 
delivered, and no special contract or agreement shall be made to the contrary, 
the weight per bushel shall be as follows, to-wit : 



Apples, Peaches or Quinces, 48 

Clierrics, Grapes, Currants or Gooseberries, 40 

Strawberries, ilaspberries or Blackberries, 32 

O.sitgc Orange Seetl 32 

Millet Seed 45 

Stone Coal 80 

Lime 80 

Corn in the ear 70 

Wheat 60 

Potatoes 60 

Beans 60 

Clover Seed 60 

Onions 57 

Shelled Corn 56 

Rye 56 

Flax Seed 56 

Sweet Potatoes 46 



Sand 130 

Sorghum Seed 30 

Broom Corn Seed 30 

Buckwheat , 62 

Salt 50 

Barley 48 

Corn Meal 48 

Castor Beans 46 

Timothy Seed 45 

Hemj) Seed 44 

Dried Peaches 33 

Oats 33 

Dried Apples 24 

Bran 20 

Blue Grass Seed 14 

Hungarian Grass Seed 45 



Penalty for giving less than the above standard is treble damages and costs 
and five dollars addition thereto as a fine. 



DEFINITION OF COMMERCIAL TERMS. 

$ means dollars, being a contraction of U. S., which was formerly placed 

before any denomination of money, and meant, as it means now. United States 
Currency. 

X mesins jyounds, English money. 

@ stands for at or to; ft) for pounds, and bbl. for barrels ; "^ for per or bi/ 
the. Thus, Butter sells at 20@30c f ft), and Flour at $8^412 f bbl. 

fo for ^jer cent., and Jf for number. 

May 1. Wheat sells at $1.20@$1.25, " seller June." Seller June means 
that the person who sells the wheat has the privilege of delivering it at any 
time during the month of June. 

Selling sJiorf, is contracting to deliver a certain amount of grain or stock, 
at a fixed price, within a certain length of time, when the seller has not the 
stock on hand. It is for the interest of the person seUing "short" to depress 
the market as much as possible, in order that he may buy and fill his contract 
at a profit. Hence the "shorts " are termed "bears." 

Buying long, is to contract to purchase a certain amount of grain or shares 
of stock at a fixed price, deliverable within a stipulated time, expecting to make 
a profit by the rise in prices. The " longs " are termed " bulls," as it is for 
their interest to "operate" so as to "toss" the prices upward as much as 
possible. 



ABSTRACT OF IOWA STATE LAWS. 151 



NOTES. 

Form of note is legal, worded in the simplest way, so that the amount and 
^anie of payment are mentioned : 

$100. Chicago, 111., Sept. 15, 1876. 

Sixty days from date I promise to pay to E. F. Brown or order, one hun- 
dred dollars, for value received. L. D. Lowry. 

A note to be payable in anything else than money needs only the facts sub- 
stituted for money in the above form. 

ORDERS. 

Orders should be worded simply, thus : 
Mr. F. H. Coats : Chicago, Sept. 15, 1876. 

Please pay to H. Birdsall twenty-five dollars, and charge to 

F. D. Silva. 

RECEIPTS. 
Receipts should always state when received and what for, thus : 

$100. Chicago, Sept. 15, 1876. 

Received of J. W. Davis, one hundred dollars, for services 
rendered in grading his lot in Fort Madison, on account. 

Thomas Brady. 
If receipt is in full, it should be so stated. 

BILLS OF PURCHASE. 

W. N. Mason, Salem, Illinois, Sept. 18, 1876. 

Bought of A. A. Graham. 

4 Bushels of Seed Wheat, at 11.50 $6 00 

2 Seamless Sacks " 30 60 



Received payment, $6 60 

A. A. Graham. 

CONFESSION OF JUDGMENT. 

-, Iowa, , 18- 



after date — promises to pay to the order of , dollars, 

at , for value received, with interest at ten per cent, per annum after 

until paid. Interest payable , and on interest not paid when due, 

interest at same rate and conditions. 

a failure to pay said interest, or any part thereof, within 20 days after due, shall cause the 
whole note to become due and collectable at once. 

If this note is sued, or judgment is confessed hereon, $ shall be allowed as attorney fees. 

No. — . P. 0. , . 

confession of judgment. 
. — vs. — . -In Court of County, Iowa, , of 



County, Iowa, do hereby confess that justly indebted to , in the 



152 ABSTRACT OF IOWA STATE LAWa 

sum of dollars, and the further sum of $ as attorney fees, with 

interest thereon at ten per cent, from , and — hereby confess judgment 

against as defendant in favor of said , for said sum of $ , 

and $ as attorney fees, hereby authorizing the Clerk of the Court of 

said county to enter up judgment for said sum against with costs, and 

interest at 10 per cent, from , the interest to be paid . 

Said debt and j udgment being for . 

It is especially agreed, however. That if this judgment is paid within twenty 

days after due, no attorney fees need be paid. And hereby sell, convey 

and release all right of homestead we now occupy in favor of said so 

far as this judgment is concerned, and agree that it shall be liable on execution 
for this judgment. 

Dated , 18—. . 

The State of Iowa, \ 

County. j 

■ being duly sworn according to law, depose and say that the forego- 
ing statement and Confession of Judgment was read over to , and tliat — 

understood the contents thereof, and that the statements contained therein are 

true, and that the sums therein mentioned are justly to become due said 

as aforesaid. 



Sworn to and subscribed before me and in my presence by the said 



this day of , 18 — . , Notary Public. 



ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT. 

An agreement is where one party promises to another to do a certain thing 
in a certain time for a stipulated sum. Good business men always reduce an 
agreement to writing, which nearly always saves misunderstandings and trouble. 
No particular form is necessary, but the facts must be clearly and explicitly 
stated, and there must, to make it valid, be a reasonable consideration. 

GENERAL FORM OF AGREEMENT. 

This Agreement, made the Second day of June, 1878, between John 
Jones, of Keokuk, County of Lee, State of Iowa, of the first part, and Thoma-s 
Whiteside, of the same place, of the second part — 

WITNESSETH, that the said John Jones, in consideration of the agreement 
of the party of the second part, hereinafter contained, contracts and agrees to 
and with the said Thomas Whiteside, that he will deliver in good and market- 
able condition, at the Village of Melrose, Iowa, during the month of November, 
of this year, One Hundred Tons of Prairie Hay, in the following lots, and at 
the following specified times ; namely, twenty-five tons by the seventh of Nov- 
ember, twenty-five tons additional by the fourteenth of the month, twenty- five 
tons more by the twenty-first, and the entire one hundred tons to be all delivered 
by the thirtieth of November. 

And the said Thomas Whiteside, in consideration of the prompt fulfillment 
of this contract, on the part of the party of the first part, contracts to and agrees 
with the said John Jones, to pay for said hay five dollars per ton, for each ton 
as soon as delivered. 



ABSTRACT OF IOWA STATE LAWS. 153 

In case of failure of agreement by either of the parties hereto, it is hereb;y 
stipulated and agreed that the party so failing shall pay to the other, One Hun- 
dred dollars, as fixed and settled damages. 

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands the day and year first 
above written. John Jones, 

Thomas Whiteside. 

AGREEMENT WITH CLERK FOR SERVICES. 

This Agreement, made the first day of May, one thousand eight hundred 
and seventy-eight, between Reuben Stone, of Dubuque, County of Dubuque, 
State of Iowa, party of the first part, and George Barclay, of McGregor, 
County of Clayton, State of Iowa, party of the second part — 

WITNESSETH, that Said George Barclay agrees faithfully and diligently to 
work as clerk and salesman for the said Reuben Stone, for and during the space 
of one year from the date hereof, should both live such length of time, without 
absenting himself from his occupation ; during which time he, the said Barclay, in 
the store of said Stone, of Dubuque, will carefully and honestly attend, doing 
and performing all duties as clerk and salesman aforesaid, in accordance and in 
all respects as directed and desired by the said Stone. 

In consideration of which services, so to be rendered by the said Barclay, the 
said Stone agrees to pay to said Barclay the annual sum of one thousand dol- 
lars, payable in twelve equal monthly payments, each upon the last day of each 
month ; provided that all dues for days of absence from business by said Barclay, 
shall be deducted from the sum otherwise by the agreement due and payable by 
the said Stone to the said Barclay. 

Witness our hands. Reuben Stone. 

George Barclay. 

BILLS OF SALE. 

A bill of sale is a written agreement to another party, for a consideration to 
convey his right and interest in the personal property. The purchaser must 
take, actual possession of the property/, or the bill of sale must be acknowledged 
and recorded. 

COMMON FORM OF BILL OF SALE. 

Xnow ALL Men by this instrument, that I, Louis Clay, of Burlington, 
Iowa, of the first part, for and in consideration of Five Hundred and Ten 
Dollars, to rne paid by John Floyd, of the same place, of the second part, the 
receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have sold, and by this instrument do 
convey unto the said Floyd, party of the second part, his executors, administra- 
tors and assigns, my undivided half of ten acres of corn, now growing on the 
arm of Thomas Tyrell, in the town above mentioned ; one pair of horses, 
sixteen sheep, and ifive cows, belonging to me and in my possession at the farm 
aforesaid ; to have and to hold the same unto the party of the second part, his 
executors and assigns forever. And I do, for myself and legal representatives, 
agree with the said party of the second part, and his legal representatives, to 
warrant and defend the sale of the afore-mentioned property and chattels unto 
the said party of the second part, and his legal representatives, against all and 
every person whatsoever. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto aifixed my hand, this tenth day of 
October, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-six. 

Lours Clay. 



154 ABSTRACT OF IOWA STATE LAWS. 

NOTICE TO QUIT. 

To John Wontpay : 

You are hereby notified to quit the possession of the premises you now 

occupy to wit : 

[^Insert Description.^ 

on or before thirty days from the date of this notice. 

Dated January 1, 1878. Landlord. 

[^Reverse for Notice to Landlord.^ 

GENERAL FORM OF WILL FOR REAL AND PERSONAL 

PROPERTY. 

I, Charles Mansfield, of the Town of Bellevue, County of Jackson, State 
of Iowa, being aware of the uncertainty of life, and in failing health, but of 
sound mind and memory, do make and declare this to be my last will and tes- 
tament, in manner following, to-wit : 

First. I give, devise and bequeath unto my eldest son, Sidney H. Mans- 
field, the sum of Two Thousand Dollars, of bank stock, now in the Third 
National Bank, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and the farm owned by myself, in the 
Township of Iowa, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, with all the 
houses, tenements and improvements thereunto belonging ; to have and to hold 
unto my said son, his heirs and assigns, forever. 

Second. I give, devise and bequeath to each of my two daughters, Anna 
Louise Mansfield and Ida Chira Mansfield, each Two Thousand Dollars in bank 
stock in the Third National Bank of Cincinnati, Ohio ; and also, each one 
quarter section of land, owned by myself, situated in theTownship of Fairfield, 
and recorded in my name in the Recorder's ofiice, in the county where such land 
is located. The north one hundred and sixty acres of said half section is 
devised to my eldest daughter, Anna Louise. 

Third. I give, devise and bequeath to my son, Frank Alfred Mansfield, five 
shares of railroad stock in the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and my one hundred 
and sixty acres of land, and saw-mill thereon, situated in Manistee, Michigan, 
with all the improvements and appurtenances thereunto belonging, which said 
real estate is recorded in my name, in the county where situated. 

Fourth. I give to my wife, Victoria Elizabeth Mansfield, all my household 
furniture, goods, chattels and personal property, about my home, not hitherto 
disposed of, including Eight Thousand Dollars of bank stock in the Third 
National Bank of Cincinnati, Ohio, fifteen shares in the Baltimore & Ohio 
Railroad, and the free and unrestricted use, possession and benefit of the home 
farm so long as she may live, in lieu of dower, to which she is entitled by law 
— said farm being my present place of residence. 

Fifth. I bequeath to my invalid father, Elijah H. Mansfield, the income 
from rents of my store building at 145 Jackson street, Chicago, Illinois, during 
the term of his natural life. Said building and land therewith to revert to 
my said sons and daughters in equal proportion, upon the demise of my said 
father. 

Sixth. It is also my will and desire that, at the death of my wife, Victoria 
Elizabeth Mansfield, or at any time when she may arrange to relinquish her 



ABSTRACT OF IOWA STATE LAWS. 15^ 

life interest in the above mentioned homestead, the same may revert to my 
above named children, or to the lawful heirs of each. 

And lastly. I nominate and appoint as the executors of this, my last will 
and testament, my wife, Victoria Elizabeth Mansfield, and my eldest son, Sidney 
H. Mansfield. 

I further direct that my debts and necessary funeral expenses shall be paid 
from moneys now on deposit in the Savings Bank of Bellevue, the residue of 
such moneys to revert to my wife, Victoria Elizabeth Mansfield, for her use for- 
ever. 

In witness whereof, I, Charles Mansfield, to this my last will and testament, 
have hereunto set my hand and seal, this fourth day of April, eighteen hundred 
and seventy-two. 

Charles Mansfield. 
Signed, and declared by Charles Mansfield, as and for his last will and tes- 
ment, in the presence of us, who, at his request, and in his presence, and in 
the presence of each other, have subscribed our names hereunto as witnesses 
thereof. Peter A. Schenck, Dubuque, Iowa, 

Frank E. Dent, Bellevue, Iowa. 

CODICIL. 

Whereas I, Charles Mansfield, did, on the fourth day of April, one thousand 
eight hundred and seventy-two, make my last will and testament, I do now, by 
this writing, add this codicil to my said will, to be taken as a part thereof. 

Whereas, by the dispensation of Providence, my daughter, Anna Louise, 
has deceased, November fifth, eighteen hundred and seventy-three ; and whereas, 
a son has been born to me, w4iich son is now christened Richard Albert Mans- 
field, I give and bequeath unto him my gold watch, and all right, interest and 
title in lands and bank stock and chattels bequeathed to my deceased daughter, 
Anna Louise, in the body of this will. 

In witness whereof, I hereunto place my hand and seal, this tenth day of 
March, eighteen hundred and seventy-five. Charles Mansfield. 

^ Signed, sealed, published and declared to us by the testator, Charles Mans- 
field, as and for a codicil to be annexed to his last will and testament. And 
we, at his request, and in his presence, and in the presence of each other, have 
subscribed our names as witnesses thereto, at the date hereof. 

Frank E. Dent, Bellevue, Iowa, 
John C. Shay, Bellevue, Iowa. 



{Form No. 1.) 

SATISFACTION OF MORTGAGE. 

State of Iowa, 



TATE OF Iowa, 1 
County, j 



ss. 



I, , of the County of , State of Iowa, do hereby acknowledge 

that a certain Indenture of , bearing date the — day of , A. D. 

18 — , made and executed by and , his wife, to said on 

the following described Real Estate, in the County of , and State of 

Iowa, to-wit : (here insert description) and filed for record in the office of the 
Recorder of the County of , and State of Iowa, on the day of- , 



156 ABSTRACT OF IOWA STATE LAWS. 

A. D. 18 — , at o'clock . M. ; and recorded in Book of Mortgage 

Records, on page , is redeemed, paid off, satisfied and discharged in full. 

. [seal.] 

State of Iowa, 1 

County, j 

Be it Remembered, That on this day of , A. D. 18 — , before 

4ne the undersigned, a in and for said county, personally appeared , 

to me personally known to be the identical person who executed the above 

(satisfaction of mortgage) as grantor, and acknowledged signature 

thereto to be voluntary act and deed. 

Witness my hand and seal, the day and year last above 

written. . 



ONE FORM OF REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE. 

Know all Men by these Presents : That , of County, and 

State of , in consideration of dollars, in hand paid by — of 

County, and State of , do hereby sell and convey unto the said 

the following described premises, situated in the County , and State of 

, to wit : (here insert description,) and do hereby covenant with the 

said that lawfully seized of said premises, that they are free from 

incumbrance, that have good right and lawful authority to sell and convey 

the same ; and do hereby covenant to warrant and defend the same against 

the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever. To be void upon condition that 

the said shall pay the full amount of principal and interest at the time 

therein specified, of certain promissory note for the sum of dollars. 

One note for $ , due , 1 8 — , with interest annually at per cent. 

One note for $ , due , 18 — , with interest annually at per cent. 

One note for $ , due , 18 — , with interest annually at per cent. 

One note for $ , due , 18 — , with interest annually at per cent. 

And the said Mortgagor agrees to pay all taxes that may be levied upon the 
above described premises. It is also agreed by the Mortgagor that if it becomes 
necessary to foreclose this mortgage, a reasonable amount shall be allowed as an 

attorney's fee for foreclosing. And the said hereby relinquishes all her 

right of dower and homestead in and to the above described premises. 
Signed to day of , A. D. 18—. 



[Acknowledge as in Form No. 1.] 



SECOND FORM OF REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE. 

This Indenture, made and executed by and between of the 

county of and State of , part of the fii'st part, and of the 

county of and State of party of the second part, Wibiesseth, that the 

said part of the first part, for and in consideration of the sum of dollars, 

paid by the said party of the second part, the receipt of which is hereby 
acknowledged, hav^e granted and sold, and do by these presents, grant, bargain, 
sell, convey and confirm, unto the said party of the second part, heirs and 



ABSTRACT OF IOWA STATE LAWS. 157 

assigns forever, the certain tract or parcel of real estate situated in the county 
of and State of , described as follows, to-wit : 

[Here insert description.) 

The said part of the first part represent to and covenant with the part of 
the second part, that he have good right to sell and convey said premises, 
that they are free from encumbrance and that he will warrant and defend 
them against the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever, and do expressly 
hereby release all rights of dower in and to said premises, and relinquish and 
convey all rights of homestead therein. 

This Instrument is made, executed and delivered upon the following con- 
ditions, to-wit : 

First. Said first part agree to pay said or order 

Second. Said first part further agree as is stipulated in said note, that if 
he shall fail to pay any of said interest when due, it shall bear interest at the 
rate of ten per cent, per annum, from the time the same becomes due, and this 
mortgage shall stand as security for the same. 

Third. Said first part further agree that he will pay all taxes and 
assessments levied upon said real estate before the same become djelinquent, and 
if not paid the holder of this mortgage may declare the whole sum of money 
herein secured due and collectable at once, or he may elect to pay such taxes or 
assessments, and be entitled to interest on the same at the rate of ten per cent, 
per annum, and this mortgage shall stand as security for the amount so paid. 
Fourth. Said first part further agree that if he fail to pay any of said 

money, either principal or interest, within days after the same becomes 

due ; or fail to conform or comply with any of the foregoing conditions or agree- 
ments, the whole sum herein secured shall become due and payable at once, and 
this mortgage may thereupon be foreclosed immediately for the whole of said 
money, interest and costs. 

Fifth. Said paii't further agree that in the event of the non-payment of either 
principal, interest or taxes when due, and upon the filing of a bill of foreclosure 
of this mortgage, an attorney's fee of dollars shall become due and pay- 
able, and shall be by the court taxed, and this mortgage shall stand as security 
therefor, and the same shall be included in the decree of foreclosure and shall- 
be made by the Sheriff on general or special execution with the other money, 
interest and costs, and the contract embodied in this mortgage and the note 
described herein, shall in all respects be governed, constructed and adjudged 

by the laws of , where the same is made. The foregoing conditions 

being performed, this conveyance to be void, othei-wise of full force and virtue. 



[Acknowledge as in form No. 1.] 



FORM OF LEASE. 



This Article of Agreement, Made and entered into on this day of 

A. D. 187-, by and between , of the county of , and 



State of Iowa, of the first part, and , of the county of- 

and State of Iowa, of the second part, witnesseth that the said party of the first 



158 ABSTRACT OF IOWA STATE LAWS. 

part has this day leased unto the party of the second part the following described 
premises, to wit : 

[//ere insert description '\ 

for the term of from and after the — day of , A. D. 187—, a| 

the rent of dollars, to be paid as follows, to wit : 

[Here insert Terms.'^ 

And it is further agreed that if any rent shall be due and unpaid, or if 
default be made in any of the covenants herein contained, it shall then be law- 
ful for the said party of the first part to re-enter the said premises, or to destrain 
for such rent; or he may recover possession thereof, by action of forcible entry 
and detainer, notwithstanding the provision of Section 3,612 of the Code of 
1873 ; or he may use any or all of said remedies. 

And the said party of the second part agrees to pay to the party of the first 
part the rent as above stated, except when said premises are untenantable by 
reason of fire, or from any other cause than the carelessness of the party of the 

second part, or persons fiimily, or in employ, or by superior force 

and inevitable necessity. And the said party of the second part covenants 

that will use the said premises as a , and for no other purposes 

■whatever ; and that especially will not use said premises, or permit the 

same to be used, for any unlawful business or purpose whatever ; that will 

not sell, assign, underlet or relinquish said premises without the written consent 

of the lessor, under penalty of a forfeiture of all rights under this lease, at 

the election of the party of the first part ; and that will use all due care 

and diligence in guarding said property, with the buildings, gates, fences, trees, 
vines, shrubbery, etc., from damage by fire, and the depredations of animals ; 

that will keep buildings, gates, fences, etc., in as good repair as they now 

are, or may at any time be placed by the lessor, damages by superior force, 
inevitable necessity, or fire from any other cause than from the carelessness of 

the lessee, or persons of family, or in employ, excepted ; and that 

at the expiration of tins lease, or upon a breach by said lessee of any of the said 

covenants herein contained, will, without further notice of any kind, : uit 

and surrender the possession and occupancy of said premises in as good condi- 
tion as reasonable use, natural wear and decay thereof will permit, 'damages by 
fire as aforesaid, superior force, or inevitable necessity, cnly excepted. 

In witness whereof, the said parties have subscribed their names on the date 
first above written. 

In presence of 



FORM OF NOTE. 

$ , 18—. 

On or before the — day of , 18 — , for value received, I promise to 

pay or order, dollars, with interest from date until paid, 

at ten per cent, per annum, payable annually, at . Unpaid interest 

shall bear interest at ten per cent, per annum. On failure to pay interest 

within days after due, the whole sum, pr-.ncipal and interest, shall become 

due at once. 



ABSTRACT OF IOWA STATE LAWS. 



CHATTEL MORTGAGE. 



159 



Know all Men by these Presents : That of County, and 

State of in consideration of dollars, in hand paid by , of 

County and State of do hereby sell and convey unto the said the 

following described personal property, now in the possession of in the 

county and State of — ■ — , to wit : 

^Here insert Description.'] 

And do hereby warrant the title of said property, and that it is free from 

any incumbrance or lien. The only right or interest retained by grantor in 
and to said property being the right of redemption as herein provided. This 
conveyance to be void upon condition that the said grantor shall pay to said 
grantee, or his assigns, the full amount of principal and interest at the time 

therein specified, of certain promissory notes of even date herewith, for 

the sum of dollars, 

Onu note for $ , due , 18 — , with interest annually at per cent. 

One note for $ , due , 18 — , with interest annually at per cent. 

One note for $ , due , 18 — , with interest annually at per cent. 

One note for $ , due , 18 — , with interest annually at per cent. 

The grantor to pay all taxes on said property, and if at any time any part 
or portion of said notes should be due and unpaid, said grantee may proceed by 
sale or foreclosure to collect and pay himself the unpaid balance of said notes, 
whether due or not, the grantor to pay all necessary expense of such foreclosure, 

including $ Attorney's fees, and whatever remains after paying off said 

notes and expenses, to be paid over to said grantor. 

Signed the day of , 18 — . — -. . 

[Acknowledged as in form No. 1.] . 



WARRANTY DEED. 

Know all Men by these Presents : That of County and 

Sitate of , in consideration of the sum of Dollars, in hand paid by 

of , County and State of , do hereby sell and convey unto 

the said and to heirs and assigns, the following described premises, 

situated in the County of , State of Iowa, to-wit : 

[Here insert description.] 

And I do hereby covenant with the said that — lawfully seized in fee 

simple, of said premises, that they are free from incumbrance ; that — ha good 
right and lawful authority to sell the same, and — do hereby covenant to war- 
rant and defend the said premises and appurtenances thereto belonging, against 
the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever ; and the said hereby re- 
linquishes all her right of dower and of homestead in and to the above described 
premises. 

Signed the day of , A. D. 18—. 

in presence of 



[Acknowledged as in Form No. 1.] 



160 ABSTRACT OF IOWA STATE LAWS. 



QUIT-CLAIM DEED. 

Know all Men by these Presents : That , of County, 

State of , in consideration of the sum of dollars, to — in hand 

paid by , of County, State of , the receipt whereof — do 

hereby acknowledge,have bargained, sold and quit-claimed, and by these presents 

do bargain, sell and quit-claim unto the said and to — heirs and assigns 

forever, all — right, title, interest, estate, claim and demand, both at law and 
in equity, and as well in possession as in expectancy, of, in and to the following 
described premises, to wit : [here insert description] with all and singular the 
hereditaments and appurtenances thereto belonging. 

Signed this day of , A. D. 18 — . 

Signed in Presence of 



[Acknowledged as in form No. 1.] 



BOND FOR DEED. 

Know all Men by these Presents: That of County, 

and State of am held and firmly bound unto of County, and 

gtate of , in the sum of Dollars, to be paid to the said , his 

executors or assigns, for which payment well and truly to be made, I bind myself 
firmly by these presents. Signed the day of A. D. 18 — . 

The condition of this obligation is such, that if the said obligee shall pay to 
said obligor, or his assigns, the full amount of principal and interest at the time 
therein specified, of — certain promissory note of even date herewith, for the 
sum of Dollars, 

One note for | , due , 18 — , with interest annually at — per cent. 

One note for $ , due , 18 — , with interest annually at — per cent. 

One note for $ , due , 18 — , with interest annually at — per cent. 

and pay all taxes accruing upon the lands herein described, .then said obligor 
shall convey to the said obligee, or his assigns, that certain tract or parcel of 
real estate, situated in the County of and State of Iowa, described as fol- 
lows, to wit : [here insert description,] by a Warranty Deed, with the usual 
covenants, duly executed and acknowledged. 

If said obligee should fail to make the payments as above stipulated, or any 
part thereof, as the same becomes due, said obligor may at his option, by notice 
to the obligee terminate his liability under the bond and resume the posses- 
sion and absolute control of said premises, time being the essence of this 
agreement. 

On the fulfillment of the above conditions this obligation to become void, 
otherwise to remain in full force and virtue ; unless terminated by the obligor 
as above stipulated. 

[Acknowledge as in form No. 1.] 



ABSTRACT OF IOWA STATE LAWS. 161 



CHARITABLE, SCIENTIFIC AND RELIGIOUS ASSOCIATIONS. 

Any three or more persons of full age, citizens of the United States, 
a majority of whom shall be citizens of this State, who desire to associate 
themselves for benevolent, charitable, scientific, religious or missionary pur- 
poses, may make, sign and acknowledge, before any officer authorized to take 
the acknowledgments of deeds in this State, and have recorded in the ofiice of 
the Recorder of the county in which the business of such society is to be con- 
ducted, a certificate in writing, in which shall be stated the name or title by 
which such society shall be known, the particular business and objects of such 
society, the number of Trustees, Directors or Managers to conduct the same, and 
the names of the Trustees, Directors or Managers of such society for the first 
year of its existence. 

Upon filing for record the certificate, as aforesaid, the persons who shall 
have signed and acknowledged such certificate, and their associates and success- 
ors, shall, by virtue hereof, be a body politic and corporate by the name 
stated in such certificate, and by that they and their successors shall and may 
have succession, and shall be persons capable of suing and being sued, and may 
have and use a common seal, which they may alter or change at pleasure ; and 
they and their successors, by their corporate name, shall be capable of taking, 
receiving, purchasing and holding real and personal estate, and of making by- 
laws for the management of its aftairs, not inconsistent with law. 

The society so incorporated may, annually or oftener, elect from its members 
its Trustees, Directors or Managers at such time and place, and in such manner 
as may be specified in its by-laws, who shall have the control and management 
of the affairs and funds of the society, a majority of whom shall be a quorum 
for the transaction of business, and whenever any vacancy shall happen among 
such Trustees, Directors or Managers, by death, resignation or neglect to serve, 
such vacancy shall be filled in such manner as shall be provided by the by-laws 
of such society. When the body corporate consists of the Trustees, Directors or 
Managers of any benevolent, charitable, literary, scientific, religious or mis- 
sionary institution, which is or may be established in the State, and Avhich is or 
may be under the patronage, control, direction or supervision of any synod, con- 
ference, association or other ecclesiastical body in such State, established 
agreeably to the laws thereof, such ecclesiastical body may nominate and 
appoint such Trustees, Directors or Managei'S, according to usages of the appoint- 
ing body, and may fill any vacancy which may occur among such Trustees, 
Directors or Managers ; and when any such institution may be under the 
patronage, control, direction or supervision of two or more of such synods, con- 
ferences, associations or other ecclesiastical bodies, such bodies may severally 
nominate and appoint such proportion of such Trustees, Directors or Managers 
as shall be agreed upon by those bodies immediately concerned. And any 
vacancy occurring among such appointees last named, shall be filled by the 
synod, conference, association or body having appointed the last incumbent. 

In case any election of Trustees, Directors or Managers shall not be made 
on the day designated by the by-laws, said society for that cause shall not be 
dissolved, but such election may take place on any other day directed by such 
by-laws. 

' Any corporation formed under this chapter shall be capable of taking, hold- 
ing or receiving property by virtue of any devise or bequest contained in any 
last will or testament of any person whatsoever ; but no person leaving a wife, 



162 ABSTRACT OF IOWA STATE LAWS. 

child or parent, shall devise or bequeath to such institution or corporation more 
than one-fourth of his estate after the payment of his debts, and such device or 
bequest shall be valid only to the extent of such one-fourth. 

Any corporation in this State of an academical character, the memberships 
of Avhich shall consist of lay members and pastors of churches, delegates to any 
synod, conference or council holding its annual meetings alternately in this and 
one or more adjoining States, may hold its annual meetings for the election of 
officers and the transaction of business in any adjoining State to this, at such 
place therein as the said synod, conference or council shall hold its annual meet- 
ings ; and the elections so held and business so transacted shall be as legal and 
binding as if held and transacted at the place of business of the corporation in 
this State. 

The provisions of this chapter shall not extend or apply to any association 
or individual who shall, in the certificate filed with the Recorder, use or specify 
a name or style the same as that of any previously existing incorporated society 
in the county. 

The Trustees, Directors or stockholders of any existing benevolent, char- 
itable, scientific, missionary or religious corporation, may, by conforming to the 
requirements of Section 1095 of this chapter, re-incorporate themselves or con- 
tinue their existing corporate powers, and all the property and effects of such 
existing corporation shall vest in and belong to the corporation so re-incorporated 
or continued. 



History of Johnson County. 



CHAPTER I.— PART 1. 



COUNTY AND COUNTY SEAT. 

The County's Name — Sketch of Col. "Ruuapsy-Dumpsy" Johiisoa — S. O. Trowbridge the 
First County Olficer — Rival County Seats — Act to Organize — First County Board 
Meeting — Removal of County Seat, Etc., Etc. 

NAME. 

There are in the United States twelve counties named Johnson, one 
being in each of the following States: Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, 
Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, Tennessee, Texas, 
and Wyoming, In all these instances the name is supposed to have been 
given in honor of the same man. Johnston County of North Carolina is 
spelled with a "t" and was named after somebody else; hence it is not 
counted in this list. During that memorable period in American politics 
when party zeal arid enthusiasm centered most intensely around Generals 
Jackson and Harrison, as representatives of the two great parties then 
called Whig and Democrat, there was a popular political song which had 
for its chorus these words^ — 

"Sing and shout, O rumpsy-dumpsy, 
Colonel Johnson killed Tecumseh!" 

Well, it was this Rumpsy-dutnpsy-killed-Tecumseh Col. Johnson, after 
whom and in whose honor Johnson County, Iowa, received its name. 
And it is fitting that the readers of this volume who are old enough to 
remember Colonel Johnson as a political celebrity should have a record of 
his public life and services; and it is likewise befitting that the younger 
readers should see his record, and judge for themselves whether he was 
probably worthy of the honor of having this line and noble county of ours 
for a perpetual monument to his memory. Then, again, there may be 
unnamed babies and unborn babies whose birth place will be Johnson 
County, and whose parents may wish to name them "Johnson Smith," or 
"Johnson Jones," if this particular name of Johnson is found to have good 
and honorable historic associations. Hence we present here a condensed 
sketch of the life and public services of the man for whom our good 
county was named: 

RICHARD MENTOR JOHNSON 

was born in Kentucky, October 17, 1770; was educated at Transylvania 
University; studied law, and was admitted to the bar. In 1803 he was 
11 



166 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

elected to the legislature, and was a member of Congress from 1807 to 
1819. In 1812, after the declaration of war by Great Britain, he raised a 
regiment of Kentucky mounted riflemen, which he commanded on the 
Canadian frontier during the fall of that year. After the adjournment of 
Congress, March, 1813, he raised another mounted regiment of volunteers, 
with which he guarded the Indian frontier during the summer months, and 
joined Gen. Harrison in time to render brilliant service in the battle of the 
Thames on October 5. It was by his hand the celebrated Indian warrior, 
Tecumseh, is reported to have fallen. In this engagement Col. Johnson 
was desperately wounded. He was, however, able to resume his seat in 
Congress in February ensuing. In 1819, he was elected to the United 
States Senate, and remained a member of that body until 1829. After 
this, he was again a member of the House, from 1829 to 1837. In 1836 
he was run for the Vice-Presidency of the United States in most of the 
States, on the same ticket which supported Mr. Van Buren for the Presi- 
dency. He received 147 of the electoral votes, but this was a few votes 
short of a majority of the whole, though largely above the number received 
by any other one of the candidates voted for. In this state of things the 
choice of Vice-President devolved on the Senate, under the constitution of 
the United States. In the discharge of this duty, the Senate, in March, 
1837, made choice of Col. Johnson for the office of Vice-President for the 
four years ensuing. In March, 1811, he returned to his home in Ken- 
tucky, after having devoted thirty years of his life continuously to the 
public service. Perfect retirement, however, was not allowed him. He 
was again returned a member to the State legislature, and while holding 
this position died, at Frankfort, Ky., Nov. 19, 1850, at the advanced age 
of a little over eighty years. He was distinguished throughout his life for 
kindliness of heart and urbanity of manners. He was the author of the 
law abolishing imprisonment for debt in Kentucky. 

This sketch of " Dick Johnson," as he was familiarly called, was written 
by Hon. Alexander H. Stevens, of Georgia, for the great American work 
known as "Johnson's Cyclopaedia," and the reader ia now posted on the 
origin of our count3^'s name and the reason for it. 

The county of Johnson was carved out of territory formerl}'^ included 
in Dubuque county, by the territorial legislature of Wisconsin, in an act 
approved December 21, 1837. This gave it a name and boundaries, but 
did not provide a civil government for it, and it was attached to Cedar 
county, whose officers w^ere to have jurisdiction likewise in Johnson county 
until other arrangements should be made. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 167 

EVOLUTION OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

THE INITIAL ACT. 

The winter session, 1837-38, of the territorial legislature of Wisconsin 
was held at Burlington, in that portion of the Territory of Wisconsin 
which afterwards became the State of Iowa, An act was passed, and 
approved December 21, 1837, creating the counties of Dubuque, Clayton, 
Jackson, Benton, Linn, Jones, Clinton, Johnson, Scott, Delaware, Buch- 
anan, Cedar, Fayette and Keokuk. The following is the part of the act 
which applies to Johnson county: 

Sec. 14. All the country lying within the following limits, to-wit: 
beginning at the southeast corner of Linn county; thence west, with the 
southern boundary of said county of Linn, to the line dividing ranges 
twelve and thirteen; thence south on said line to the line between townships 
seventy-six and seventy-seven, north ; thence east, with said township line 
to the line dividing ranges four and five, west of the fifth principal merid- 
ian; thence with said range line, north, to the place of beginning; shall 
be, and the same is hereby constituted a separate county, to be called 
Johnson. 

Sec. 15. All the country lying west of the sounty of Johnson, and be- 
tween the line dividing townships seventy-six and seventy-seven and the 
line dividing townships eighty-one and eighty-two north, extending to the 
western boundary of the Territory, shall be, and the same is hereby con- 
stituted a separate count}', to be called Keokuk [now Iowa County]. 

Sec. 16. The counties of Johnson and Keokuk [Iowa] shall, for tem- 
porary purposes, be attached to and considered in all respects a part of 
the county of Cedar. 

JOHNSON county's FIRST OFFICER. 

The following appointment by Sheriff Tallman, of Cedar county, of S. 
C. Trowbridge to assist in taking the census, was absolutely the first 
appointment of a public officer of any sort for Johnson county. At that 
time Keokuk county was what is now called Iowa county, but extended 
indefinitely westward to the vague place called "Sundown," or thereabouts. 
The "W. T." in all these early documents stands for Wisconsin Terri- 
tory : 

Cedar County, W. T., May 28, 3 838. 

I, James W. Tallman, sherifi:'of ihe above county, hereby appoint S. C. 
Trowbridge an assistant in taking the census required to be taken during 
the present month; and I assign to him Johnson and Keokuk [now Iowa] 
counties so far as they are south and west of Cedar river. 

James W. Taleman, Sheriff C. C, W. T. 

I, S. C. Trowbridge, do solemnly swear that I will make a just and 
perfect enumeration of all persons resident within the division assigned to 
me by the Sheriff of Cedar County, and make due return thereof to the 
said Sherift'— agreeably to an act of the Legislative Assembly, entitled 
"An act providing for the taking of the census or enumeration of the 
inhabitants of the Territory of Wisconsin," according to the best of my 
abilities. S. C. Trow^bridge. 

Sworn and subscribed before me this 28th day of May, A. D. 1838. 

R.G.Roberts, J. P. 



168 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

After these documents, the next thing in order that is matter of public 
record is in regard to county seat. 

THE FIRST COUNTY SEAT. 

In 1837-38, there were two rival county seats, on fafcr. One called 
' Napoleon, was located on section twenty-two in Lucas township, where 
James McCoUister now lives. The other was called Osceola, after the 
Seminole chief of Florida, who starved himself to death, or pined away 
in grief at being captured and held as a prisoner. His wife's name was 
Oskaloosa, and the city of that name in Mahaska county was named after 
her. The Osceola town was laid off finely on faper^ with lots given for 
churches, colleges, parks, court house, etc., but it never had any defined 
local habitation. It was a sort of "now-you-see-it and-now-you-don't-see- 
it" affair, ready to squat wherever luck-and-chance might throw it. This 
scheme was gotten up, and the fine plat prepared at South Bend, Indiana, 
and was brought here by Judge Pleasant Harris. The rivalry of these two 
imaginary towns was a live topic among the settlers during the winter of 
1837-38; and the poet of the community, [not certainly known whether John 
Gilbert or Henry Felkner] broke out into classic verse on the all-absorbing 
theme. Two manuscript copies of this historic poem were made, but it 
has never before appeared in print, and we are indebted to Col. Trowbridge 
for a copy of it: 

ODE TO OSCEOLA. 

■ The mighty chief whose deeds so brave, 

Whose hate so deadly to each foe, 
Has late been summoned to the grave; 

The warrior's head now lies full low. 
The champion of his race has gone, 

Has ceased to act upon the stage; 
Through life a lustre round him shone 

Ne'er yet surpassed in any age. 
Superior talents he possessed, 

And virtue pure as maiden gold; 
His dauntless courage to the last 

Proved the true greatness of his soul. 

But ah, he's left the scene of life; 

His body rests beneath the sod; 
Free from every care and strife, 

His soul has winged its way to God. 
And long his memory will be dear; 

His name still sacred shall remain; 
For him a monument we'll rear 

On Iowa's tair and flowery plain. 
We'll build a city to his name — 

With church and stately tower adorn; 
High as the heavens shall reach its fame. 

And in it none shall hunger, thirst or mourn. 

This was a serio-sarcasm on the lowly source of the name chosen for 
the new town, and also on the high-sounding promises made by the par- 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 169 

ties who were wet-nursing it for the county seat. And now its rival in 
the race for county honors rises and speaks his little piece, thus: 

napoleon's reply. 

Vain, feeble worm! presumptuous boy! 

How vain conceit doth lift thee up! 
'Ere long shall trouble mar thy joy, 

For bitter sorrow thou shalt sup. 

What hast thou done whereof to boast? 

What deeds of bravery or of skdl? 
Did e'er thy voice command a host, 

And with dread fear cieation fill? 

Did not ail Europe bow to me, 

And tremble when I gave command? 
Can now a feeble worm like thee 

Presume my fury to withstand? 

I'll rise once more with dreadful might 

And scatter devastation round; 
I'll cast thee from thy giddy height 

And lay thee level v^ith the ground. 

Thy boasted church and stately tower, 

And monument with all its fame, 
Shall fall before my potent power, 

Nor dare to speak thy plebian name. 

My true-born sons shall till the soil 

On which thy boasted city stands, 
While peace and plenty on them smiles 

In the protection of my hands. 

With such a clear sprincr of classic genius as that, gushing forth among 
the rude cabins of Johnson county, how could the State University help 
coming here. This production was a spontaneous forecast of fate, for in 
six months after it was written the law was enacted which organized 
Johnson county, with Napoleon named as the county seat. 

Right here comes in a story of sharp practice, on which Judge Harris 
and John Gilbert " locked horns," as rival leaders in the public affairs of 
the new county. As before stated, Harris brought with him from Indiana 
besides a considerable number of relatives and neighbors, a plat for a county- 
seat. Jonathan Harris was his son; Isaac N. Lesh was his son-in-law; 
William Massey was his nephew, and Mrs. Massey and Mrs. Jonathan 
Harris were sisters. Here was a strong nucleus to attract other relatives 
and old neighbors, as it soon did. The Judge was ambitious and public 
spirited, and of course desirous of making money also. In looking about 
for a suitable place to plant his county seat plat upon, the river bank just 
above Wapashasheik's Indian village was thought to be the most eligible 
site; and accordingly the Judge and his friends were ready to " stake that 
claim" the very hour that the Indian title should become extinct, which 



170 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

would be on Oct. 21, 1837. The Indian boundary then existing, (prior 
to Oct. 21,) ran from near the southwest corner of Liberty township, in a 
straight line to where the Cedar river crosses the east line of Johnson 
county. The present townships of Fremont, Pleasant Valley, Lincoln 
and Scott, were all on " white-man's land " — and also most of Graham and a 
small part of Cedar, Lucas and Liberty; but all the rest of the county was 
still " Indian land." Gilbert's trading house was just over the hne on 
Indian land — a privilege which Gilbert paid for by furnishing certain bar- 
rels of whisky to the Poweshiek braves. [See Chapter IV, Part 2, on 
"Old Trading Houses," and "First 4th of July."] To make good their 
count3^-seat project the Harris party had built a claim cabin close on the 
river bank, just above Wapashashiek's village, [see the diagram in Chap- 
ter II, Part 2,] but it was hardly safe for any one to live in it before the 
lawful day, without special permit from the Indian chiefs. So the cabin 
stood there awaiting the hour when it could be lawfully occupied. Mean- 
while, those whose interests and sympathies were with John Gilbert, rather 
than Judge Harris, or with the " Napoleon " as against the " Osceola" 
county-seat project, set about to head off the Osceola scheme. Gilbert 
and his friends were on such friendly terms with Poweshiek and Wapash- 
ashiek that they could get almost any favor or permit they wanted; so 
they fixed it all right with the Indians, then got a man named John Mor- 
ford to move up from Bloomington, [Muscatine] and take that claim. He 
was afterwards known as " Uncle Johnny Mofford," and the post-office of 
Morfordville, in Pleasant Valley township, was named after him. But Mr. 
Morford had no taste for town-making or neighborhood contests, and as 
soon as he had made good and valid his right to this claim, he traded it to 
Philip Clark for his farm, further down the river — the same place that is 
still known as the Morford farm. Philip Clark had his brother-in-law 
Peter Smith, go and live in the town-site claim cabin, while the county 
seat compan}^ consisting of Clark and Gilbert, got George Bumgard- 
ner, a surveyor from Muscatine count}^ to come up and stake off the 
blocks, lots, streets, etc. And this is the story of how Clark, Gilbert, 
Trowbridge, Felkner, Morford and others, outwitted Judge Harris and 
his party by jumping his town site and turning his proposed town of 
" Osceola " into their town of " Napoleon." 

Following this, Gilbert received a commission as postmaster, at Napo- 
leon; but died the next day after it came. Then a commission was pro- 
cured forjudge Harris' son, William, who w'as under age at the time; and 
there was a neighborhood snarl and tangle oi tribulation about post-office 
matters, until S. H. McCrory was made postmaster, and took the office 
to Iowa City. [See Post Office history in Chapter II, Part 1.] 

About June 1, 1838, the Napoleonite settlers prepared a petition to the 
legislature, which w^as to meet in special session at Burlington, on Mon- 
day, June 11th, and sent S. C. Trowbridge as their "lobby member" to 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 171 

secure the legislation they wanted. Trowbridge went down on horse- 
back and arrived there on the 10th. It should be noted here that at the 
previous session of the legislature, Messrs. John Gilbert and Pleasant 
Harris, and I. N. Lesh, went there to get the county organized; but Gil- 
bert wanted "Napoleon" for the county seat, while Harris was for 
"Osceola;" and being divided, they got nothing. Trowbridge was there 
at the same time, on business for Muscatine county, and so got acquainted 
with the members. After reconnoitering the situation as to men and influ- 
ence, he selected Hon. John Fole}^, then a member of the Council from 
Dubuque county, as the best man to serve his object; and accordingly the 
journal of the second day, June 12th, says: 

Mr. Foley presented the petition of citizens of Johnson county, asking 
to be organized as a separate county, and to establish the seat of justice 
for said county, at or in the town of Napoleon. 

Referred to a select committee consisting of the whole delegation from 
the original county of Dubuque. 

The journal of the lith says: 

Mr. Foley, from the select committee, to which was referred the peti- 
tion of citizens of Johnson county, reported bill No. 1, entitled "A bill for 
an act organizing the county of Johnson, and establishing the seat of 
justice of said county." 

Which bill was read a first time. 

The journal of June 18th again shows the progress of the bill, thus: 

On motion of Mr. Foley, bill No. 1, entitled "A bill for an act organiz- 
ing the county of Johnson, and establishing the seat of justice of said 
county," was read the second time, and ordered to be committed to the 
committee of the whole house. 

The council resolved itself into a committee of the whole, Mr. Terry in 
the chair, for consideration of said bill; and after some time the committee 
arose and reported the snme without amendment. 

The report of the committee was concurred in, and the bill ordered to 
be engrossed for a third reading. 

On motion of Mr. Foley, 

Ordered, That the 16th and 18th rules be suspended, in order that the 
bill may be read a third time now. 

The bill was then read a third time, passed, and the title agreed to. 

Ordered, That the concurrence of the House of Representatives be 
requested therein. 

In the journal of the 20th this record appears: 

Message from the House of Representatives, by the clerk, viz: 

Mr. President: The House of Representatives have concurred in 
the following resoluticm and bills of this house, viz: 

A resolution on the subject of printing the laws in pamphlet form. 

No. 1, A bill for an act organizing the county of Johnson, and establish- 
ing the seat of justice of said county. 

On the 22d the said bill was presented to the President of the council 
for his signature, and on the 23d the President reported to the council that 



172 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

this bill had received the Governor's approval and signature. The follow- 
ing is the bill as passed: 

AN ACT organizing the county of Johnson, and establishing the seat of 
justice of said county: 

Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the Council and House of Representatives of 
the Territo7'y of Wisconsin^ That the county of Johnson be, and the same 
is hereby organized from and after the fourth day of July [1838] next, and 
the inhabitants of said county be entitled to all the rights and privileges to 
which by law the inhabitants of other organized counties of this territory 
are entitled to. And the said county shall continue to be a part of the 
second judicial district, and a district court shall be held at the town of Napo- 
leon, the seat of justice, at the court house, or such other place as may be 
provided. Two terms of the said district court shall be held annually after 
the organization of said county, to-wit: On the second Monday of August 
and December; and the several acts concerning the district courts of said 
Wisconsin Territory shall be, and they are hereby made applicable to the 
.district court of Johnson count3^ And the county of Keokuk [the same 
that is now called Iowa county] shall be and is hereby attached to the said 
county of Johnson for judicial purposes. 

Approved June 22, 1838. 

On June 2.3d an executive session of the council was held to pass upon 
nominations made by the Governor, and other matters not specially of a 
legislative character. At this time the Governor nominated S. C. Trow- 
bridge to be sheriff of Johnson county, and he was confirmed by the coun- 
cil. Mr. Trowbridge had been the deputy sheriff of the county, appointed 
some time in May, by and acting under authority of James W. Tallman, 
sheriff of Cedar county, to which Johnson county had previously been 
attached for civil purposes. 

FIRST REGULAR COMMISSION. 

The first commission ever issued by any Governor to a Johnson county 
man, or for Johnson county business, was the following, which this histo- 
rian has copied from the original document itself, the same being still pre- 
served as a relic in the recipient's family: 

HENRY DODGE, Governor of the Territory of Wisconsin: 

To all unto whom these presents may come, greeting: Know ye, that 
reposing special trust and confidence in the integrity and ability of Samuel 
C Trowbridge, I have nominated, and by and with the advice and consent 
of the Legislative Council appointed him Sherift^of the county of Johnson; 
and I do hereby authorize and empower him to execute and fulfill the 
duties of that office according to law: to have and to hold the said 
office, with all the rights, privileges and emoluments thereunto belonging, for 
the term of three years from the date hereof: unless the Governor of the 
said Territory', for the time being, should think proper sooner to revoke 
and determine this commission. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 173 

In testimony whereof, I have caused these letters to 
[Seal] be made patent and the Great Seal of the Territory 

to be hereunto affixed. 
Given under my hand, at Burlington, the 22d day 
of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight 
hundred and thirty-eight, and of the Independence 
of the United States of America the sixty-second. 

Henry Dodge. 
By the Governor: W. B. Slaughter, Sec. Wis. Ty. 

Although this commission bears date June 22, the day when the nomi- 
nation was made and confirmed, it was not made out and forwarded until 
after the legislature had adjourned and Governor Dodge had returned to 
his home at Belmont, Wisconsin. Meanwhile Mr. Trowbridge had con- 
tinued to act as sherift, nominally under the authority given by Judge 
Tallman, which held good until formally superseded by higher authority. 
But when the Governor's commission came to hand he proceeded to Roches- 
ter, then county seat of Cedar county, and was duly sworn into office, as the 
following official records show: 

Cedar County, Iowa Territory, ss. 

I, Samuel C. Trowbridge, do solemnl}^ swear that according to the 
best of my abilities and understanding, I will well and faithfully and with- 
out partiality, do and execute and perform all the duties of Sheriff^ in and 
for the county of Johnson — doing equal right to the poor as well as the 
rich, as their several cases may require, so help me God. 

Samuel C. Trowbridge. 

Sworn and subscribed before Robert G. Robert, Clerk of the District 
Court of Cedar County, this 15th day of August, A. D. 1S3S. 

Rochester. Robert G. Robert. 

I, Samuel C. Trowbridge, do solemnly swear that I will support the 
constitution of the United States during my continuance in office, so help 
me God. Samuel C. Trowbridge. 

Administered by R. G. Robert, Clk. D. C. C. C. 

Rochester, August 15, 183S. 

(Clk. D. C. C. C. stands for clerk of the district court of Cedar county.) 

FIRST political SLANDER REFUTED. 

In the strifes for place and the rivalries of personal ambition and per- 
sonal interest, Mr. Trowbridge was soon accused of bad faith, or what 
politicians call "skullduggery" in obtaining the office of sheriff'; but to the 
credit of Johnson county's first public officer. Judge Tallman gave that 
accusation the following point-blank and emphatic rebuttal: 

Antwerp, i\ugust 25, 1840. 
Mr, Trozvhridge: — Yours of the 22d inst., advising me of your desire 
that I should write to you on the subject of your appointment as sheriff", 
came duly to hand. You inform me that you are charged with having 
procured your appointment through your own solicitation and intrigue, 
and ask of me a candid statement of my knowledge of the means of your 
appointment. I was at Burlington when application was made for your 
appointment, and I procured a recommendation for your appointment, 



174 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

which I, together with many others, signed. I am confident that you did 
not solicit the office, and much less did you use intrigue to obtain it: there 
bemg no necessity for it, for your friends — among whom were Messrs. 
Gilbert, Reynolds, and others, — did all that was essential to your success 
in getting the office. 

I will further state that I believe that you had no anxiety about the 
matter, but rather manifested reluctance in taking it: stating as a reason, 
that you were apprehensive that it would result in an injury rather than a 
benefit to you. 

I am yours, &c., J. W. Tallman. 

FIRST COUNTY BOARD MEETING. 

The first county clerk was Luke Douglass. The first public document 
recorded was the bond of Samuel C. Trowbridge, as sheriff' of Johnson 
countv, with Wheaton Chase as his surety. And here is the oath just as 
Mr. Douglass himself recorded it: 

OATH. 

You solumnly svvare, that you will support the constitution of the United 
States and the teritory of Iowa, and that you will well and truely perform 
the duties of assessor in and for the county of Johnson and territory aftbr- 
said, to the best of your knowleg. So help your God . 

The above oath was legaly administered by me this day of • 

1839. Luke Douglass, Cerk. 

It will be seen from this that the clerk's office had not yet been supplied 
either with a spelling book or an almanac. The first two pages of that 
part of the record where Trowbridge's bond was recorded were lost, so 
that the amount of the bond and the date of its execution do not appear 
of record. The next document is the bond of Wheaton Chase, as county 
treasurer. It was executed April 1, 1S39, in the sum of one thousand 
dollars, with Samuel H. McCrory and Samuel C. Trowbridge- as his 
bondsmen. In the oath administered to Wheaton Chase by the clerk 
and duly recorded, he has this improvement in orthography, "you do 
solumnly sweare;" but in stating that "the above oath was duly adminis- 
tered by me," he still writes "this day of , 1839." And so the 

record remains to this day, without date. 

The next document is the bond of William Massey, as constable, in the 
sum of one hundred dollars, with Philip Clark and Henry Felkner, as 
sureties. But still no date given. The next is a bond of Wheaton Chase, 
in the sum of three hundred dollars, with Wm. C. Massey as surety; that 
"the above bounden Wheaton Chase shall keep and maintain good order 
and rule, and shall suffer no disorder nor unla\^ful games to be used in 
his house, or in any of the dependencies thereof, and shall not break any 
of the laws for the regulation of the taverns." (The "tavern" was the 
Chase trading house. See diagram in Chap. II, Part 2. This document is 
dated April 20, 1839, and seems to have been the first license of any sort 
that was issued by Johnson county authority. Mr. Chase also gave bond 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 175 

the same day in same sum and with same sm'tty, that he would "in all 
respects conform with the laws regulating storekeepers." It is peculiar 
that Mr. Chase sometimes wrote his first name "Wheaton" and some- 
times "Wheten," but oftenest the latter way. And here is a peculiar 
document which occurs in another part of the earliest records: 

Received of Wheaten Chase dollars as moneys rendered to the 

county treasury in pay for a permit to keep a tavern and store until the 
next subsequent meeting of the Board of County Commissioners. 

Napolian, April "ZO, 1839. Wheten Chase. 

This record seems to be in Mr. Chase's own handwriting, and he writes 
his first name "Wheaten" once, and then "Wheten." Mr. Wheten Chase 
had been Black Hawk's interpreter when he went to Washington in April, 
1833. He removed from Johnson to Tama county, after the Indians left 
here, and died there in 1870. 

In another and better book afterwards procured, some of the first 
records are copied, and some are not; and so it happens that these earliest 
records are perplexingly mixed, besides being not very full or complete 
anyway. Mr. Douglas was not a good hand at that business. 

FIRST COUNTY COURT. 

The first entry in the new, large book, is the first record now in exist- 
ence of a county court in Johnson county, where her own civil affairs 
were formally administered by her own officers. Hence we quote it as a 
historic way- mark: 

At a county commissioners' court begun and held in the county of 
Johnson and territory of Iowa, on the 29th day of March, A. D., 1839, 
present the Honorable Henry Felkner and Abner Wolcott, commis- 
sioners; Samuel C. Trowbridge, sheriff'; Luke Douglass, clerk pro tern. 

Amongst others were the following proceedings, to-wit: On motion of 
Henr}'- Felkner, Luke Douglass was appointed clerk of said court. On 
motion of Henrv Felkner, Esq., ordered by the court that the eagle side 
of a ten cent piece be adopted as the county seal, until one may be pro- 
vided by the territory. 

Ordered this court now adjourn sine die. 

The minutes are signed by Henry Felkner and William Sturgis as com- 
missioners. 

The next entry shows that the commissioners' court met again April 
1st, 1839, and this time there were present all three of the members, 
Felkner, Wolcott and Sturgis. The record recites that Wheten Chase 
was appointed treasurer for the county. Also, 

On motion of H. Fe'lkner, Esq., ordered, that the clerk and sheriff' 
decide by draft which one of the two commissioners, which received an 
equal number of votes should hold their seat for three years, the result of 
which draft were as follows, to-wit: Henry Felkner, Esq., sit for three 
years, Abner Wolcott two years, and William Sturgis one year. 

The court then proceeded to appoint a county assessor for the year 
1839, and on motion of H. Felkner, Esq., Samuel C. Trowbridge was 
appointed said assessor. On motion of A. Wolcott, Esq., William C. Mas- 



176 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

sey was appointed constable in and for the county of Johnson and territory 
of Iowa. The court then adjourned sine die. 

Thus the county civil government was now fully organized and all its 
wheels set in motion; but the revenue to grease them with had yet to be 
gathered in, and assessor Trowbridge went right about that important 
duty without delay. 

WHERE FIRST COUNTY SEAT. 

It seems that clerk Douglass lost the two first pages of his records of 
the first county court; but in another place we found the following tran- 
script from the lost "page second" of that first session: 

The board then decided upon the quarter section which they would 
decide upon for county purposes. The commissioners then decided upon 
the southeast quarter of section 22, township 29 north, range 5 west, 
with the ioWov^'mg proviso : that in case it should conflict with the location 
of the seat of government, they will waive their right in case that the 
locating commissioners will give the choice of a quarter in the vicinity for 
county purposes. 

This seems to have had reference to the contemplated removal of the 
state capital to Johnson county, and they wanted to secure the county 
seat and state capital town at the same place. But it will be seen by 
referring to a county map, that the location above designated was about 
two miles below the present Iowa City, and was the place called Napoleon, 
though one log cabin and one frame house were the only buildings ever 
erected on the town site. [See diagram in Chap. II, Part 2.] Everything 
was waiting for the location of the capital in Johnson county. 

The cabin was built as a claim cabin, in 1837, and was first occupied 
by John Morford, in 1838, and afterward by Peter Smith, whose wife 
gave birth to a daughter in it, in July or August, 1838. The frame house 
was built by the projectors of the Napoleon town site, and was intended 
for the court house. It was here the first and second county elections 
were held. This frame building was 20x32 feet, and two stories high. 

HOW THE COUNTY SEAT WAS REMOVED. 

In 1839 the county commissioners were Henry Felkner, Robert Wol- 
cott and Philip Clark. On October 7 the county court opened in due 
form at Napoleon, with all the officers present. The record says: "Court 
having come to order, the sheriff' announced the court in session." After 
business was disposed of, this record appears: 

Ordered^ That this court now adjourn, to meet to-morrow morning at 
eight o'clock, at the house of F. M. Irish, in Iowa City. 

And the next record is: 

October term, Oct. 8, 1839. Court in session. Present, Hons. Henry 
Felkner, Robert Wolcott and Philip Clark, commissioners. 

The orio^inal record does not state that this day's session was at Iowa 
City, nor does it even mention that the court met pursuant to adjournment, 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 177 

which would have served to authenticate the change. But in the tran- 
scribed record pains were taken to add the statement, that "Court met pur- 
suant to adjournment." 

This action of the county board was before the legislature had author- 
ized the removal. 

"An act to re-locate the seat of justice of Johnson county" was passed 
by the legislature, and approved Dec. 31, 1839. This act recites, " That 
the board of county commissioners in the county of Johnson are hereby 
authorized to re-locate and establish the seat of justice for the county of 
Johnson, being first sworn by any judge or justice of the peace thereof, 
faithfully and impartially to re-locate and establish the seat of justice of said 
county, taking into consideration the future as well as the present popula- 
tion of said count}'." 

The county board was required to attend to this " at or within ninety 
days" after their next regular meeting. And when they had so done, and 
their acts were "spread upon their records by the clerk," "the place 
selected shall be the seat of justice for said count}"-." 

At a county board meeting, on January 27, 1840, these proceedings 
were had: 

On motion of Henry Felkner, Esq., the board of commissioners repaired 
to view the several adjoining quartet sections of land to the seat of govern- 
ment, and upon examination the commissioners decided upon the north- 
west quarter of section fifteen, in township seventy-nine north, and range 
six west, of the fifth principal meridian, for the seat of justice for said 
county. 

Ordered, by the board of commissioners, that Philip Clark be author- 
ized to repair to Dubuque, and enter, if possible, the aforesaid quarter sec- 
tion of land for county purposes. 

Then the court "adjourned for one hour." On re-assembling, the orig- 
inal r 0.0.0x6. gives us this entry: 

Ordered by the court, that a memorial be sent to the Congress of the 
United States, requesting the authority for them to locate the county seat 
of said county on the quarter section aforesaid. 

The transcript of this record, which was made six or eight months 
afterward, changed the wording of it considerably, but the point and pur- 
pose remained the same; and it appears from the transcribed record that 
the memorial was forwarded, " directed to the care of the Hon. W. W. 
Chapman, our delegate in Congress." But Congress was not in the busi- 
nesss of " locating" frontier county seats, and of course never paid any 
attention to this document. 

Philip Clark went to Dubuque as instructed, and secured pre-emption 
of the quarter section desired, which is that where the Iowa City court 
house and jail now stand. 

On October 1-1, 1840, the records show that he was "allowed twenty 
dollars for services in going to Dubuque, to pre-empt the quarter section 



178 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNT V. 

of land on which the county seat of Johnson county is located." He was 
also allowed another item of sixteen dollars for "his expenses in the afore- 
said trip to Dubuque." 

On the same day the record says: "Ordered, that Samuel C. Trow- 
brido-e be allowed $15 for his trip to Dubuque with PhiHp Clark, to 
obtain pre-emption for county seat." 

LAYING OUT THE NEW COUNTY SEAT. — NOV. 9, 1840. 

It is ordered by the board, that the northwest quarter of section fifteen 
be laid out into blocks and lots, as follows: Twent3^-four blocks to be 
surveyed off the north side at present, each block to be three hundred 
and twenty feet square, including alleys, the north and south streets to 
correspond with the streets which run north and south in Iowa City; and 
the streets running east and west to be eighty feet wide, each block to be 
divided into eight lots, and alley to be twenty feet wide. Under the 
superintendence of Philip Clark and said commissioners." 

FIRST SALE OF LOTS. 

Ordered by the board, [Jan. 6, 1841,] that a sale of lots in the county 
seat of Johnson county, shall take place on Monday, May 24, 1841, and 
continue from day to day until all are sold, or, at the discretion of the 
commissioners. 

It is ordered, that the following shall be the terms of sale, to-wit: One 
fourth of the purchase money to be paid in hand, one forth in six months, 
one fourth in twelve months, and one fourth in eio^hteen months from the 
day of sale. 

FIRST REPORT OF SALES OF LOTS. 

Oct. 9, 1841, appears the first record of the results of the sale of lots in 
the county seat, as follows: 

Wm. R. Harrison, this day, Oct. 9, 1841, produced his books, and it 
appears from the same that the lots sold in the county seat of Johnson 
count}', and paid for as required by the terms agreed on by the board of 
commissioners of said county seat, in May, 1841, including the 24th and 
25th of May, 1841, and lots sold since that time, amount to — 

First pa3'ment being one-fourth in hand $725.87-|- 

Amount of notes due in 6 months from 1st payment 725.87^ 

Amount of notes due in 12 months from 1st payment 725.87^ 

Amount of notes due in 18 months from 1st payment 725.87^ 

$2903.50 

FIRST COUNTY SEAT AGENT. 

April 7, 1842. "Ordered, that Fernando H. Lee, be and he is hereby 
appointed agent of said county, agreeable to the provisions of an act of 
the legislature, authorizing the commissioners of Johnson county to 
appoint an agent for said county, etc." 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. . 179 



CHAPTER L— PART 2. 



EARLIEST CIVIL SUB-DIVISIONS. 



First Election Precincts — First Road Districts — Complete List of Present Civil Town- 
ships, their dates of Organization, Post OfBces, etc. 

FIRST DESIGNATION OF ELECTORAL PRECINCTS. 

March 6, 184-0 it was— 

Ordered by the board, that the county of Johnson be divided into two 
electoral precincts as follows: The south part or precinct No. l,the elec- 
tion to be held in Iowa City, and John Parrott, John Hawkins and J. N. 
Sanders, Esqrs., be appointed judges of the election in said precinct. 

The north part of said county, or precinct No. 2, the election to be held 
at the house of Warren Stiles, Esq., in said precinct, and Allen C. SutlitT, 
Leander Jewit and Jesse Magrue, to serve as judges of the election in said 
precinct. 

At the session of July 8, ISiO, the following additional order was made, 
to define precinct boundaries more closely: 

Ordered, that the election precincts of the county of Johnson be divided 
by a line as follows: Commencing at the north east corner of section 24, 
township SO north, range 5 west, thence west on the section line between 
sections 13 and 24, and continuing the same line until it strikes the Iowa 
river, thence up the river to the county line. 

COMMISSIONER DISTRICTS. 

County board session, April 7, 1841: 

Ordered, that all that part of the county of Johnson which lies north of 
the center of township SO, shall be hereafter constituted and known as 
district No. 1. 

Ordered, that all that part of the county of Johnson which lies south of 
the center of township SO, and north of the center of township 79, shall 
form and constitute the second commissioner's district of Johnson 
county. 

Ordered, that all that part of Johnson county which lies south of the 
center of township 79, shall form and constitute the third commissioner's 
district of said county. 

ELECTORAL PRECINCT NO. 3 — CLEAR CREEK. 

April 8, 1841. Ordered, that all that part of Johnson county, which 
lies west of the Iowa river, shall form and constitute one electoral pre- 
cinct, and be known as precinct number three, and that the elections in 
said precinct be held at the house of John Hawkins, Esq., on Clear creek. 

Ordered, that David Switzer, Nathaniel Fellows and Jesse McCart, be 
and they are hereby appointed judges of elections in the said electoral 
precinct for the year 1841. 

The next action on election precincts occurred January 7, 1842, as fol- 
lows: 

No. ^. Ordered, that all that portion of Johnson county lying west of 
the Iowa river and south of the section line dividing sections twentv-two 
and twent3'-seven, embracing all the settlements on Old Man's Creek in 



ISO HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

said county, be and the same is hereby established into an electoral pre- 
cinct to be known as election precinct No. 4, and that the place of 
holding elections in said precinct be at the house of Jacob Fry. And it is 
further ordered, that Jacob Fry and James McCrae, be, and they are 
hereby appointed judges of elections, in and for said precinct. 

JVo. 5. — Ordered, that all that part of Johnson county, lying north of 
the Iowa river, and west of a line which is one mile east of the township 
line dividing ranges six and seven, be and the same is hereby established 
into an election precinct to be known as election precinct No. 5; and 
that the place of holding elections in said precinct shall be at the house of 
M. P. McAllister. 

And it is further ordered, that William Dupont, Wm. M. Stuart and 
David Ray, be, and they are hereby appointed judges of elections in said 
precinct. 

THE ELECTION PRECINCTS. 

Up to 1842, the election precincts were still known only by numbers. 
On April 6, 1842, the following record appears: 

Election Precinct No, i. — Ordered, that A. J. Willis, William R. Har- 
rison and Chauncey R. Ward be and are hereby appointed judges of 
Elections for Precinct No. 1., or Iowa City precinct, for one year from 
the 1st day of April, 1842. 

Election Precinct No. 2. — Ordered, that Peleg C. Brown, John Calkin 
and Robert W. Orr, be and they are hereby appointed judges of elec- 
tions for Precinct No. 2, for the present year. 

Election Precinct No. J. — Ordered, that Evan Dollarhide, Martin Harless 
and Samuel Houston be and are hereby appointed judges of elections in 
the third election precinct for the present year, and the elections in said pre- 
cinct shall hereafter be held at the house of Evan Dollarhide. 

Election Precinct No, ^. — Ordered, that the judges of election appointed 
at the January session, 1842, be continued for this precinct during the 
present year. 

Election Precinct No. 5. — -The judges of elections for this precinct 
appointed at the January session, 1842, are hereby continued for the pres- 
ent year. 

In 1842 these names are used unofficially in the newspapers — Clear 
Creek precinct. Old Man's Creek precinct, Dupont's precinct [Monroe], 
Big Grove precinct, Iowa City precinct. 

April 5, 1843, election precinct No. 1, is called Iowa City precinct; No. 
2 is called Big Grove precinct; No. 5 is called Monroe precinct; but Nos. 3 
and 4 are not designated by any name. 

FIRST TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATIONS. 

At the January session, 1844, (Jan. 1 and 2,) there were petitions pre- 
sented for the organization of three civil townships on the west side of the 
river. But it was found that the boundary lines described conflicted with 
each other, cut across or lapped over, so that they had to be referred back 
to the petitioners for revision. 

April 2, 1844, it is recorded: On the petition of sundr}^ citizens of Clear 
creek precinct, for the organization of a township, with the following 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTV. 181 

bounds, to-wit: Commencing at the southeast corner of township 80— — . 
And here the record stops, without then or thereafter any explanation as 
to why it was chopped off so short. 

The next record bearing on these matters is dated April 5, 1844, and 
reads: 

Ordered, that the range line or that- part thereof north of the Iowa 
river, dividing ranges six and seven west, shall hereafter be the dividing 
line between election precincts 2 and 5, or Big Grove and Monroe pre- 
cincts. 

Clear Creek Precinct. — Ordered, that the place of holding elections in 
Clear Creek precinct shall hereafter be held at the house of James H. 
Frost in said precinct. 

The next record is July 3, 1844, and is the first time that all the election 
precincts are designated by a local name, instead of by number. Hence 
we quote: 

lovja City Precinct. — Ordered, that James Robinson, Curtis Bates and 
Cyrus Sanders be and they are hereby appointed judges of elections for 
Iowa City precinct for the ensuing year. 

Big 6^r(?z'6'.— Ordered, that Abner Arrowsmith, Timothy Clark and 
Frederick Kessler be and they are hereby appointed judges of elections in 
Big Grove precinct for the ensuing year. 

Clear Creek. — Ordered, that John Keeler, John Conn and Bryan Dennis 
be and they are hereby appointed judges of elections for Clear Creek pre- 
cinct for the ensuing year. 

Old Manh Creek. — Ordered, that Pleasant Harris, Asby D. Packard 
and Sheldon N. Cauda be and they are hereby appointed judges of elec- 
tions for Old Man's Creek precinct for the ensuing year. 

Monroe. — Ordered, that William Dupont, William Foster and William 
Winterstein be and they are hereby appointed judges of elections for 
the ensuing year. 

IOWA COUNTY PRECINCT. 

The territory which now constitutes Iowa county remained attached to 
Johnson county until 1845. On January 8, of that 3^ear, the county 
board — 

Ordered, That the county of Iowa be and the same is hereby estab- 
lished into one election precinct, and shall be known as Iowa County Pre- 
cinct, and that the place of holding elections in said precinct shall be at the 
house of A. P. Kitchen, or the old "Trading House," and it is further 
ordered, that James M. Price, A. D. Stephens and Stephen Chase be and 
they are hereby appointed judges of elections for said precinct for the 
present year, 1845. 

July 9, 1845, it was 

Ordered, That Geo. W. Kitchen be allowed ten dollars and fifty cents 
for assessing Iowa county precinct. 

Thus, Iowa count}'' was still under the jurisdiction of Johnson county in 
that year. 
12 



182 HlsTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

PROPORTION OF JURORS, 1845. 

February 18, 1845, the jury list was apportioned to the several precincts 
as follows: 

From Iowa City precinct, seventy 70 

" Big Grove precinct, twenty-five 25 

" Old Man's Creek precinct, twenty-eight 28 

" Clear Creek precinct, twenty 20 

" Monroe precinct, seven 7 

PROPORTION OF JURORS, 1846. 

The jury list made on the first Monday in April, 1846, was apportioned 
to the several townships as follows: 

Clear Creek township. 8 
Washington " . 12 

Liberty " .11 

Pleasant Valley " . 14 
Iowa City " . 50 



No. 


1. 


Monroe townsh 


p. .. 


7 


No. 7. 




2. 


Big Grove 






.. 16 


" 8. 




3. 


Cedar 






.. 6 


" 9. 




4. 


Newport 






.. 10 


" 10. 




5. 


Scott 






.. 7 


" 11. 




6. 


Penn 






.. 9 





Total 150 

FIRST DIVISION INTO ROAD DISTRICTS. 

Some of the road district divisions ultimately grew into townships or 
electoral precincts. There were numerous roads viewed and laid out as 
general county business prior to any designation of separate road districts; 
but on July 8, 1840, the first lay-out of road districts was made, as fol- 
lows: 

No. 1. — Ordered, that all that part of the county inclosed in the second 
or upper electoral precinct, shall constitute the first road district, and 
that Warren Stiles, Esq., be appointed supervisor of said district. 

No. 2. — Ordered, that all that part of the county of Johnson lying 
between the base line between 78 and 79, and the upper or second electoral 
precinct, and east of the Iowa river, shall constitute and form the second 
road district, and that Wm. B. Snyder be appointed supervisor of the 
same. 

No. 3. — Ordered that all of that part of the county of Johnson lying 
south of the base line between townships 78 and 79, shall constitute one 
road district to be called the third district, and that Robert Walker be 
appointed supervisor of the same. 

No. 4. — Ordered, that all of that part of the count}^ lying north of the base 
line and between townships 78 and 79, north and west of the Iowa river, 
shall form the fourth road district, and that John Hawkins be appointed 
supervisor of the same. 

RE-ARRANGEMENT OF ROAD DISTRICTS. 

County board session, April 4, 1841: Ordered, that all that part of 
Johnson county lying south of the line dividing townships 78 and 79, and 
east of the Iowa river, shall constitute the first road district in said county; 
and that Eli Myers be, and he is hereby appointed supervisor of said 
district for the present year. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 183 

Road District No. 2. — Ordered, that all that part of Johnson county- 
lying north of the line dividing townships 78 and 79, and east of the 
Iowa river, and south of Iowa Avenue and the Bloomington road, shall 
form the second road district in said county; and that William B. Snyder 
be appointed supervisor of said district for the year 1841. 

No.. J. — Ordered, that all that part of Johnson county which lies north 
of the south side of Iowa Avenue and Bloomington road, (including said 
avenue and road) and east of the Iowa river, and south of the center of 
township 80, shall form the third road district in said county; and that 
Samuel H. McCrary be appointed supervisor of said district. 

No. ^. — Ordered, that the following bounds shall constitute the fourth 
road district of Johnson count}^, to-wit: Commencing on the eastern 
boundary of said county, at the center of township 80, thence west on 
said line eight miles, thence north to the county line; and that John West 
be appointed supervisor for said district for the year 1841. 

No. 5. -Ordered, that the territory contained in the following bounds, 
shall constitute the fifth road district, to-wit: Commencing on the Iowa 
river at the center of township 80, thence east to the section line dividing 
sections 14 and 15, in range 6, thence north to the boundary line of said 
county, including all that part of Johnson county east and north of the 
Iowa river; and that Charles Connelly be appointed supervisor of said dis- 
trict for one year. 

No. 6. — Ordered, that part of Johnson county lying west of Iowa river, 
and north of the center of township 79, shall constitute the sixth road dis- 
trict; and that John N. Hedley be appointed supervisor of said district for 
the year 1841. 

No. 7. — Ordered, that all that part of Johnson county which lies west 
of Iowa river, and south of the center of township 79, shall constitute the 
seventh road district; and that Jacob Fry be appointed supervisor of said 
district- for the year 1841. 

No. 8. — On April 7, another turn was taken at road districts, which 
resulted thus: 

Ordered, that all that part of road district No. 3, which lies east of 
Dubuque street in Iowa City, and the Dubuque road in said district, and 
in township 79, in ranges five and six west, shall hereafter constitute one 
road district, and be known as road district No. 8, and that James Trem- 
ble be and is hereby appointed supervisor of said road district. 

No. g. — Ordered, that all that part of road district No. 5, which lies 
west from two miles west of the range line dividing ranges 6 and 7, shall 
hereafter constitute the ninth road district; and that William Dupont be 
appointed suptirvisor of said district. 

No. 10. — Ordered, that all that part of road district No. 6, which lies 
west of Iowa river, commencing one mile north of the township line divid- 
ing townships 79 and SO, thence west to the range line dividing ranges 
six and seven, thence north one mile, thence west to the boundary line, 
shall constitute, and hereafter be known as the tenth road district; and 
that Geo. Wein be and he is hereby appointed supervisor of said district. 

No. II. — Ordered, that all that part of road district No. 7, in the fol- 
lowing bounds, to-wit: Commencing at the northwest corner of section 
15, township 79, range 6, thence west three miles, thence south to the 
county line, shall hereafter constitute road district No. 11; and that David 
Switzer be and he is hereby appointed supervisor of said district. 



184 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

HISTORY WRITING AND RESEARCH. 

The State Press of August 23, 1882, contained the following edi- 
torial item: 

Last Tuesday the Secretary of State at Des Moines, called upon the 
Auditor of Johnson County for a mass of historical statistics, such as 
date of organization of each civil township, their names, their boundaries, 
and any changes that have been made in these, besides other matters. 
The county records not having been indexed, there is no possible way to 
obtain the information called tor, but by a competent and faithful man sit- 
ting down and going over the county records, page b}- page, from the 
year 1837 to the present time — a period of fort3'-five years — and culling 
out the facts desired and then tabulate them. But he would likewise have 
to search the various acts of the territorial legislature of Wisconsin, the 
territorial legislature and the state legislature of Iowa, all of which have 
had some dealing with Johnson county boundaries. To collect all these 
data and put them into shape would require a solid month's work of an 
expert at such business; and yet the Auditor is called upon to do it, with- 
out a dime of funds anywhere to pay for it. But it appears on investi- 
gation that the Johnson County History Company is doing just this sort 
of work, and has these very matters in hand and already about half 
completed. Hence, if the Auditor makes any response at all for John- 
son county, he will have to draw on the History Company for it. It appears 
that the matter is wanted lor a volume of the State census and other civil 
statistics, which is being prepared by authority of the executive council, 
and required by Chapter 198 of Acts of the 18th General Assembly. 

The following table was compiled from the work of this historian, as 
above referred to, and forwarded to the Secretary of State: 

TABULAR VIEW OF TOWNSHIPS, POST-OFFICES, ETC., OCT. 1, 1882. 

Name of Tp. When Organized. Township North. Range West. Post Offices. 

Big Grove .... April 9, '15 81 6 Solon. 

Cedar Jan . 7, '46 81 5 No post-office. 

Clear Creek . . Feb. 10, '46 80, i of 79 . . 7 and 8 . . .Tiffin. 

[Afterwards parts of each of the civil townships of Madison, Oxford, Hardin and Union 
were taken from the territory of Clear Creek.] 

Fremont Apr. 6, '57 77 5 . . . | Lone Tree, Shoo 

\ Fly and River Junct. 

[Record not found. See chapter on Fremont Township History.] 

Graham Jan. 5, '57 .• . . 80 5 Morse, Oasis. 

Hardin Jan. 4, '58 79 8 Windham. 

[Formerly included within the territory of Washington township.] 

Jefferson Mar. 5, '54 81 7 Shueyville. 

[The territory of Jefterson was formerly included in Monroe township] 

Liberty Feb. 10, '46 78, ^ of 79 . . 7, n i 6 . . Bon Accord. 

.[All of Sharon and one-half of Union were afterwards taken from the original territory 
of Liberty township.] 

Lincoln June 8, '70 88 5 No post-office. 

[Was formerly a part of Pleasant Valley township.] 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 185 

Name of Tp. When Organized. Townshii, North, Range West. Post Offices. 

Lucas ( Feb. 10, '46 79 b Coralville. 

I Jan. 15, '73 
[Formerly called Iowa City township. The township is divided into two voting pre- 
cincts, East and West Lucas, on the two sides of the Iowa River.] 

Madison Oct. 15, '00.. .n >^ 80 7 and 8... Chase. 

[It was from 1846 to 18G0, included in Penn township.] 

Monroe Feb. 10, '46 81 7 and 8 . . . Gregg, Danforth. 

[Jefferson township was afterward detached from Monroe.] 

Newport Feb. 10, '46 80 5, e >^ 6 . . .No post-office. 

[Graham township was afterwards detached from the territory of Newport township.] 

Oxford Mar. 3, '56 80 8 Oxford. 

[Was formerly a part of Clear Creek township.] 

I W >^ of 6.. 
Penn Feb. 10 '46 80. .. f n >^ of 7. . .North Liberty. 

[Then included what is now Madison township.] 
Pleasant Val'y.Feb. 10, '46 78 5, e ^ 6 . . Morfordsville. 

[Then included the present territory of Lincoln township.] 

Scott Feb. 10, '46 79 5 No post-office. 

Sharon Feb. 1, '58 78 7 Sharon Center. 

[Formerly included in Liberty township.] 

Union Mar. 6, '54 79 7 No post-office. 

[North half f )rmerlyjinc]uded in Clear Creek township, and the south half in Liberty 
township ] 

78 and s \ Amish. 

Washington . . .Feb. 10, '46 i of 79 . . 8 \ Franlc Pierce. 

[At the time of organization it included s % of tp 79, r 8; Oct. 4, 1847, the n. % °^ 
said tp. was attached also. These were afterwards detached, and formed into what is now 
Hardin township. 

J ^.^ ) Feb. 10, '46 79 6 Iowa City. 

Iowa City. .. - T -, ^ ',-o ■^ 

•^ i Jan. lo, US 

[Iowa City Township now comprises only the territory within the corporate limits of Iowa 

City, and is divided into two voting precincts, North and South. But from 1846 to 1873 

the territory now called Luca^ township was included in Iowa City township.] 



CHAPTER II.— PART 1. 

POLITICAL RECORD. 

Historic Elections — Successive County Officers — The Grand Parliament — Higher Political 
Honors — Post-office Matters — Census by Townships, 1850 to 1880. 

THE FIRST ELECTION. 

About May 26, 1838, S. C. Trowbridge went to Rochester, then the 
county seat of Cedar county, and on the 28th he was commissioned as 
deputy sheriff for Johnson and Keolcuk counties. [See the docutnents in 
another place.] 

Iowa was still a part of Wisconsin Territory, but the matter of separat- 
ing it was already under discussion in Congress, and the Iowa people 



186 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

were generally expecting that they would soon be set oft' as a territory 
by themselves. 

Johnson county had been named, and its boundaries defined, but the 
people settled there'^had never been authorized to hold an election- 
Thev wanted to be getting themselves into proper civil and political rela- 
tions with "the powers that be," and take their rightful part in the govern- 
ment, whether it were Wisconsin or Iowa Territory. It was to bring this 
about that Trowbridge had been sent to Rochester by the settlers in the 
vicinity of the trading houses. Accordingly, the same day he was com- 
missioned deputy sherift' he went before the board of commissioners of 
Cedar county, and applied for an order of election. The application was 
granted, and an election ordered to be held at Gilbert's trading-house, on 
the first Monday in August; and it was to be known as the Iowa precinct 
of Cedar county. Trowbridge nominated officers for the election, which 
were confirmed b3^ythe county board, as follows: 

Judges — Eli Myers,^Henry Felkner and Pleasant Harris. 

Clerks — W. Sturgis and Isaac N. Lesh. 

[These matters are of record in Cedar county, but have never been 
recorded in any shape in Johnson county until now searched out for and 
printed in this history.] 

But that proposed election was never held, for, before its time arrived, 
Johnson county had obtained a special act of the legislature organizing the 
county, naming and locating its county seat, appointing a sheriff', etc., so 
that it could run its own business in its own way, instead of being a mere 
appendage of Cedar county. The proceedings and documents in regard 
to organizing the county and investing it with civil jurisdiction are given 
in another place. 

Iowa Territory began to exist for itself on July ;>, 1838, and the next 
day, July 4, was the day that had been set by the Wisconsin territorial 
legislature for Johnson county to begin its separate political existence. 

Of course everything was to go on just the same under the new terri- 
torial rule as before^ until changed by proper authority. Wm. B. Con- 
way had been appointed Secretary of the new territor}- of Iowa, and 
arriving here a few days before Gov. Lucas, he made indecent haste to 
issue a proclamation for a territorial election, signing himself "Acting 
Governor." But when Governor Lucas arrived (August 15,)* he issued 
a proclamation on the same day for an election to be held on September 
10. This of course overruled and wiped out all of Conway's premature 
acts. Sheriff' Trowbridge had taken some steps for an election under 

*Governor Robert liUcas arrived in Iowa tor the first lime, on tiie steamboat "Brazil." 
from Cincinnati, Ohio, landiiifr at Burlington on Wednesday morning, August 15,1838. 
The same day he issued his proclamiilionfor the election of members ot territorial legis- 
lature, and delegate to Congress. These historic facts are gathered from the Burlington 
Territorial Gazette, dated August 18, 1838, and should settle all disputes in regard to the 
matter. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 187 

Conway's proclamation, but nothing which interfered with his prompt 
attention to the more rightful order of the Governor. 

As before remarked, Governor Lucas issued his proclamation on the 
same day he arrived in the territory, calling an election to be held Sept. 
10, 1838. All of that proclamation which specially concerns Johnson 
county, was the following paragraph: 

The counties of Johnson, Cedar, Jones and Linn, shall form an election 
district, and elect one member of the council and one member of the 
house of representatives. 

The parties interested in the town site of Napoleon as the county seat, 
had "chipped in together" and raised money to build a frame house 
twenty by thirty-two feet, and two siories high, to serve as a court house. 
These were Gilbert, McCrary, Smith, Felkner, Trowbridge, etc.; and the 
house erected was really a formidable and creditable enterprise, consid- 
ering the difficulties of getting lumber and other building materials, at 
that time. (See the diagram on another page). And here, in this 
house, occurred the first formal election ever held in Johnson county, the 
territory which now constitutes Iowa county being an adjunct precinct. 
About the time of this first election Robert Walker had been commis- 
sioned by Governor Lucas as the first justice of the peace, in Johnson 
county; but the imperfect county records do not anywhere show this 
fact. The officers of that first election were: 

yudges — Wm. Kelso, David Sweet, and Isaac N. Tesh. 

Cla-ks — I. P. Hamilton, and S. H. McCrary. 

WHO WERE ELECTED. 

There were four candidates for Congress, namely: W. W. Chapman, 
Virginia State Rights Democrat; P. H. Engle, Jackson Democrat; 
David Rohrer, Democrat anyway; B. F. Wallace, Whig. 

Chapman had been specially friendly and helpful in securing the legis- 
lation which the Johnson county people wanted, so he was the favored 
man, without much regard as to where he stood on the national questions 
of the time. These pioneers had their politics nearer home just then — 
and the vote of Johnson county, as canvassed and certified to Governor 
Lucas at the time, was: For Chapman, thirty-six votes; for Engle, one 
vote. Rohrer and Wallace got no votes here. 

The other officers elected at the same time were: 

For member of legislative council — Charles Whittlesy, of Cedar 
county. 

For member of house of representatives — Robert G. Robert, of 
Cedar county. 

For county commissioners — Henry Felkner, Wm. Sturgis, and Abner 
Wolcott. 

For county recorder — I. P. Hamilton. 

For county assessor — S. B. Mulholland. 

For constables — Peter Crum, and Wm. C. Massey. 



188 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

The county treasurer and the assessor -elect failed to qualify; and con- 
sequently the board of county commissioners appointed Wheten Chase to 
be treasurer, and S. C. -Trowbridge to be assessor. 

Trowbridge held a three-years' commission as sheriff from Governor 
Dodge, unless Governor Lucas should see fit to revoke it, which he did not, 
but gave him another commission for the next term; and the law at that 
time imposed on the sheriff the duty of tax collector, as well as rogue- 
nabber — so Trowbridge had business at every pot-boil in the county. 
[See under head of First County Records.] 

Owing to the incompetency, laziness or neglect of Clerk Douglass, no 
record was preserved of that first election. And it has not been secured 
and made of record by the county since; so that it remained for this his- 
torian to rake up the scattered fragments of fact and recollection, out of 
which a connected, systematic and authentic record of that first election is 
now for the first time made and placed befoi^e the people of Johnson 
county. 

THE SECOND COUNTY ELECTION. 

Clerk Douglass also failed to make any record of the second county 
election. In the first case there might be some excuse for it, but no reas- 
onable excuse can be offered for the second time this delinquency occurred, 
for he was then fully in office, had every convenience, and it was his duty 
to make the record; but he failed to do it. However, among Col. Trow- 
bridge's old papers, documents, etc., we found the whole bunch of the 
original tickets, just as they were written out and voted at Napoleon, the 
county seatj on the first Monday in August, 1839 — and from these musty 
relics of almost a semi-centennial antiquity, we present the following accu- 
rate canvass of that second election ever held in Johnson county, the judges 
of which were Andrew D. Stephen, John Eagan and S. C. Trowbridge 

For representatives in the legislature: John Frierson, democrat, 
received 32 votes; T. T. Clark, whig, received li votes; S. C. Hastings,* 
democrat, received 32 votes; S. S. Lathrop, democrat, 1 vote. 

There were two to be elected from Muscatine, Johnson and Iowa coun- 
ties jointly, and Clark and Hastings were the ones elected, as they got 
good majorities in the other counties. 

For county commissioners: John Morford, received 21 votes; Abner 
Wolcott, 32: Henry Felkner, 44; Philip Clark, 29; A. C. Sutliff; 16; 
Wm. Sturgis, 1; A. Arrowsmith, 1. 

Why the above voting was done at all is not clear, for Felkner had 
already been chosen (at the election of Sept. 10, 1838), county commissioner 

*Hastirig8 was elected to the legislative council from the same counties in 1840; and in 
1846 he was elected to congress. He was afterwards appointed chief justice of Iowa by 
Gov. Ansel Briggs. Then during the legislative session of 1848-40, Hastings and Judge 
Joseph Williams were candidates for chief justice. Williams was elected. Hastings 
resigned before his time was out and went to California. Thesamefall (1849) he was elected 
and took his seat as chief justice there. He thus filled this high position in two different 
States inside of one calendar year — the only case of the kind on record. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 189 

for three years and Wolcott for two years; but Sturgis' first term was 
only for one year, as decided by lot when county court was first organized. 
We cannot solve the puzzle. 

For county treasurer, John Fagan received 44 votes; Wheten Chase 
received 1 vote. 

For count}^ surveyor, Cyrus Sanders received 45 votes; John Eagan, 1 
vote, and David Switzer 1 vote. 

For assessor, S. B. Mulholland received 44 votes. 

This vote was merely complimentary, for Trowbridge was still sherifl:' 
and therefore ex officio assessor, as the law then stood ; so of course Mul- 
holland did not qualify, or act as assessor. 

For coroner, John Hawkins received 45 votes. 

For constable, John Royal received 25 votes; John Trout, 28; David 
Cox, 28; Peter Crumen, 15; Wm. C. Massey, 15; A. D. Stephens, 8. 

Some of Stephens' votes were marked "for sheriff," and one vote was 
cast for S. C. Trowbridge for sheriff; but as there was no sheriff" to be 
elected at this time, of course these votes were cast as a matter of sport, 
or else from not knowing the legal statu quo. 

FIRST OFFICERS OF THE COUNTY. 

The following list has been carefiilly compiled from every source where 
authentic information could be obtained, the county records being greatly 
deficient. 

First Sheriff.— S. C. Trowbridge, from May, 1838, till 1842. First 
appointed as deputy sheriff' by Sheriff' Tallman, of Cedar county ; then 
commissioned as sheriff'by Gov. Dodge of Wisconsin territory; then recom- 
missioned by Gov. Lucas of Iowa territory; then elected by the people in 
October, 1840. Resigned in September, 1842. 

First Justice of the Peace. — Robert Walker; commissioned by Gov. 
Lucas, in August, 1838, and held the office almost continuously for forty 
years. 

First County Commissioners. — Henry Felkner, William Sturgis, Abner 
Wolcott; elected at Napoleon, Sept. 10, 1838. 

First County Recorder. — I. P. Hamilton, elected Sept. 10, 1838. 

First County Treasurer. — ^John Eagan, elected Sept. 10, 1838, but failed 
to qualify; and on April 1, 1839, the commissioners' court appointed 
Wheten Chase to fill the vacancy. [Chase died in Tama county, in 1870.] 

First County Assessor. — S. B. Mulholland, elected Sept. 10, 1838, but 
failed to qualify; and on April 1, 1839, the county commissioners 
appointed S. C. Trowbridge to fill the vacancy. 

First Constables. — Peter Crum and William C. Massey; elected Sept 
10, 1838. 

First County Clerk.- — Luke Douglas, appointed by the commissioners' 
court March 29, 1839, its first session. 



190 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

First County Surveyor. — Cyrus Sanders, elected first Monday in 
August, 1839. 

First County Coroner. — John Hawkins, elected in August, 1839. 

First Member of Legislature from Johnson County. — S. C. Hastings, 
elected in August, 1839. 

First Judge. — Joseph Williams, of Muscatine, who opened the first 
district court in Johnson county, on the second Monday in May, 1839, 
(2d judicial district.) 

First Clerk of Court. — Luke Douglas, appointed by Judge Williams at 
this time. 

First Prosecuting Attorney. — T. S. Parvin; commissioned by Gov. 
Lucas, for the second judicial district. The county records show that on 
January 1, 1840, the sum of $65.00 was allowed to T. S. Parvin, Esq., for 
services rendered to the county, as prosecuting attorney, in and for the 
county of Johnson. 

First Judge of Probate. — William McCormick, elected in October, 

1840. 

First Postniastei . — John Gilbert, appointed postmaster at Napoleon, 
March 2, 1839; died the next day after his commission arrived. William 
Harris was next appointed, April 18, 1839. Before this, Bloomington 
[now Muscatine] was the post-office town of our settlers, it being their 
nearest steamboat landing and trading point on the Mississippi river. [See 
article on " Postmasters of Iowa City."] 

FIRST PUBLISHED COUNTY TICKETS. 

The first regular party tickets for the county offices and legislature, 
which are preserved in the newspaper files of the time, were those nomi- 
nated by the respective parties in 181:2. And it may be some comfort 
to candidates, to be assured that the Johnson county partisan newspapers 
of JSl:-2, were as furiously "red hot" on the private, personal and public 
character of their respective opponents as any newspaper of the present 
time can attempt to be. In looking over the campaign numbers of those 
earlv newspapers, one is led to imagine that their editors wrote with pens 
made of eagle's claws, dipped in aqua fortis. Our more modern lead- 
pencil campaigners are tame in comparison. In fact, such vials of ven- 
omous vituperation as were then poured out in unstinted measure 
would haidly be tolerated in any community now. We give the two 
party tickets of that year, as showing who then stood as standard bearers 
of the divided politics ot" 18-12. 

JOHNSON COUNTY WHIG TICKET. 

For Member of Territorial Council — Dr. Jesse Bowen. 

For Kepresentativc — James Trimble. 

For Sheriff — Daniel Hess. 

For Recorder — William L. Gilbert. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 191 

For Commissioner — John Parrott. 
For Treasurer — Edward Foster. 

For Justices of the Peace — John Hawkins, Robert Walker and I. M, 
Preston. 

For Clerk of Commissioners^ Court — Charles H. Berryhill. 

For Coroner — J. M. Headly. 

For Assessor — George Wein. 

For Constables — Daniel Sink, William Goodrich and Elijah Walker. 

DEMOCRATIC NOMINATIONS. 

For Council — Pleasant Harris. 

For Representative — Henry Felkner. 

For Sherif—V^aXitv Butler. 

For Commissioner — Nathaniel Fellows. 

J^or Recorder — Jesse Berry. 

For Treasurer — Thomas Snyder. 

For Clerk of Commissioners'' Court — Stephen B. Gardner. 

For Coroner — Thomas Ricord. 

For Assessor — E. K. Morse. 

IOWA CITY PRECINCT. 

For Justices of the Peace — F. H. Lee, A. D. Stephens and Eli Myers. 
For Constables — Hiram Watts, Wm. P. Doty and J. I. Burge. 

HISTORIC PRESIDENTIAL VOTES. 

The year 1856 was a historic year, from the fact that the Republican 
party was organized at that time, and had its first national presidential 
ticket in the field. Hence, the vote of Johnson county for the presidential 
candidates of that year should be preserved for reference and instruction: 

Republican Democratic Wliig 

Candidate, Candidate, Candidate, 

Township. John C Fremont James Buchanan Millard Filmore 

Iowa City 595 470 80 

Cedar 55 22 22 

Big Grove 89 57 14 

Jefferson 10 16 29 

Monroe 43 20 14 

Oxford 20 37 6 

Clear Creek 9 38 11 

Penn 63 28 23 

Newport 70 59 2 

Scott 88 • 17 7 

Pleasant Valley 84 60 4 

Liberty 6 64 27 

Washington 36 47 62 

Union 47 26 3 

Total 1215 961 282 



192 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 



THE ELECTION OF 1860. 

This was the Presidential year, which culminated in the Southern 
Rebellion, and its succeeding war. There were four Presidential candi- 
dates — Abraham Lincoln, Republican; Stephen A. Douglas, Northern 
Democrat; John C. Breckenridge, Southern Democrat; John Bell, old 
line Whig. The vote of Johnson County stood as follows: 

TowNsnirs. Lincoln. 

Big Grove 92 

Cedar 80 

Clear Creek 33 

Fremont 82 

Graham 95 

Hardin 30 

Iowa City 627 

Jetierson 35 

Liberty 17 

Madison 52 

Monroe . 64 

Newport 66 

Oxford 41 

Penn 78 

Pleasant Valley 110 

Scott 112 

Sharon 72 

Union 52 

Washington 66 



Douglas. 


Bell. 


Brecken 
ridge. 


108 






40 


, . 




65 






43 


4 




45 


2 




34 


3 




615 


30 


17 


31 


25 




79 


5 




32 


4 




28 






66 






55 






32 


2 




35 


7 


1 


20 




2 


41 


3 




32 






47 


26 


6 



1804 1448 111 26 

PRESIDENTIAL VOTE IN 1872. 

The presidential campaign of this year presented one of the strangest 
anomalies that has ever occurred in the history of human governments. 
The Democratic party took for its candidate Horace Greeley, founder 
of the A^ezv York Tribune^ who had been for more than a quarter of a cen- 
tury the most untiring, uncompromising and widely influential fl'/^/z-demo- 
cratic editor in the nation. He had also been an original anti-slavery 
man, and finally a down-right "abolitionist" of national fame and influence, 
so hated and berated in the slaveholding south that if caught there he 
would have been hung to the first tree at hand. Yet this year the slave- 
holder ex-rebels of the south supported him as their candidate for Presi- 
dent; and likewise many Republicans throughout the north, who were 
read}^ and willing to meet these subjugated southern brethren half way, 
and "clasp hands across the bloody chasm" of the terrible civil war, joined 
them in the support of Mr. Greele3^ These fiicts in the case make the 
presidential vote of this year one full of curious and historic interest in 
every precinct; and hence we here preserve the official returns of this 
election in Johnson County: 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 193 

Township. For Gen. Grant . For Horace Greeley. 

Big Grove 79 103 

Cedar 60 38 

Clear Creek 59 51 

Fremont 105 41 

Graham 74 76 

Hardin 57 77 

Iowa City— North Precinct . 332 470 

Iowa City— South Precinct 448 316 

Jetlerson 31 76 

Liberty 32 76 

Lincoln 83 28 

Madison 48 57 

Monroe 58 47 

. Newport 30 56 

Oxford 94 89 

Penn 72 31 

Pleasant Valley 76 50 

Scott 119 49 

Sharon 100 59 

Union 60 61 

Washington 92 36 



2109 1889 

VOTE ON THE WORD "wHITE," AND LICENSE. 

On August 3, 1857, a vote was taken on a proposition to strike out the 
word "White" from the Constitution of Iowa, so that colored men might 
become voters and have the same civil rights and protection that white 
men have. And at the same election the voters were also to decide 
whether a license law for the sale of intoxicating liquors should be adopted 
instead of the prohibitory law then in force. The result of this historic 
vote is herewith given by townships: 

Strike out the License 

Townships. wora "white"? i^ii^ense. 

Yes. ]S'o. For. Ag'st 

Iowa City 54 691 702 185 

Big Grove 6 113 76 

Cedar 15 32 25 1 

Jeflerson 41 15 8 

Monroe 9 38 26 16 

Penn 4 66 66 4 

Clear Creek 54 1 7 

Washington 64 37 13 

Union 17 16 7 

Liberty 2 85 80 4 

Pleasant Valley 1 69 .. 3 

Scott 15 16 26 7 

Newport 5 66 30 12 

Oxford 7 48 25 17 

Fremont 3 77 47 

Graham 6 33 27 4 

127 1510 1199 288 



194 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

CALENDAR OF COUNTY OFFICERS. 

Coyn-pleie from Alay, iSj8^ till October, 1882 — a period of more than forty- 
Jour years. 

SUCCESSIVE SHERIFFS. 

183S — Samuel C. Trowbridge, democrat; appointed by Gov. Dodge, 
territoral governor of Wisconsin. Re-appointed by Robert Lucas, first 
territorial governor of Iowa, in 1839. Was elected by popular yote in 
1840. Resigned in September, 1842, about a month before the expira- 
tion of his term, and was the same day sworn in as postmaster of Iowa 
City. [See article on "Postmasters of Iowa City."] 

1842- — Walter Butler, democrat, (died in office.) 

1844 — M. P. McAllister, first appointed by Gov. Chambers, to fill the 
Butler vacancy, was afterward elected. Whig. 

1846 — George Paul, democrat. This year the government was 
changed from territorial to state form, and county elections changed from 
the even to the odd years. 

]847 — John D. Abel, democrat; re-elected in 1849. 

1861 — Gilbert E. DeForest, whig — afterward a republican. 

1853— S. B. Mulholland, democrat. 

1855 — J. W. Howard, old line whig. 

1857 — Edgar Harrison, democrat. 

1859— John Wilson, republican; re-elected in 1861-63-65. 

1867 — Samuel P. McCadden, democrat; re-elected in 1869-71-73, and 
died in office. 

1874 — M. Cavanagh, appointed to fill the McCadden vacancy, and then 
elected at a special election. Re-elected at- the regular election in 1875. 
Democrat. 

1877 — John Coldren, democrat. Re-elected in 1879-81. Present 
sheriff, Oct. 1, 1882. 

SUCCESSIVE CLERKS. 

1839 — Luke Douglas, appointed by the county commissioners, March 
29, 1839. Appointed clerk of the district court by Judge Williams, May 
13, 1839. 

1840 — ^July 9, Mr. Douglas resigned, and Stephen B. Gardner, demo- 
crat, was appointed by the county board. He continued to hold the office 
by successive appointments from this until 1851, when the duties of pro- 
bate judge and county commissioners were merged into one officer called 
county judge. F. H. Lee was elected count}' judge, and kept the records 
mostl}' himself. The officer of Clerk of the District Court, had hereto- 
fore been filled by the county clerk, on appointment of the district judge. 
But now it was made an elective office by itself; and in August, 3852, 
Samuel J. Hess, whig, was elected by only three majority over Gardner. 
For Hess, 435; for Gardner, 432. Mr. Gardner finally removed to Kan- 
sas. 

1852 — Samuel J. Hess, whig. Re-elected in 1854. 

1856 — Salathiel Batchellor, republican. Re-elected in 1858. 

1860— Henry E. Brown, republican. 

1862 — Thomas J. Cox, democrat. 

1864— John C. Culbertson, republican. 

1866 — Fernando H. Lee, republican. 

1868 — Benjamin King, democrat. 

1870 — Jacob C. Switzer, republican. Re-elected in 1872. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 195 

1874 — George W. Koontz, democrat. Re-elected in 1876 and 1878. 
1880 — Stephen Bradley, democrat. 

SUCCESSIVE TREASURERS. 

1838 — John Eagan, elected Sept. 10, but failed to qualify, and Wheten 
Chase was appointed by the county commissioners, April 1, 1839. Yet 
the records of 1840 show that John Eagan was treasurer, for he made a 
settlement as treasurer in October of this year; and he was also deputy 
sheriff. 

1840 — Dr. Ezra Bliss, whig. In October of this year (Oct. 28), treas- 
urer Bliss was reported absent and the office vacant. James Lee was 
then appointed to fill the vacancy. February 8, 1841, Bliss and Lee both 
resigned, and an election was called on March 6, 1841, to fill the vacancy, 
therefore 

1841 — Wm. R. Harrison, democrat, was elected. 

1842 — Thomas Snyder, democrat. Re-elected in 1844-46. 
. 1848 — ^Hiram Watts, democrat, treasurer and recorder. April 23, 
1850, Watts having gone to California, was repoi ted absent. The office was 
deemed vacant; Gordon Hutchinson was appointed to fill the vacancy, 
with instructions to proceed and collect the taxes of 1846-47-48-49. 

1851 — Samuel Workinan, democrat, recorder and treasurer. 

1853 — S. H. Gardner, democrat, treasurer and recorder. 

1855 — Thomas Hughes, democrat, treasurer and recorder. Re-elected 
in 1857, republican. 

1859 — ^James Borland, democrat, was declared elected by the board, 
but a contest in court proved that J. G. Sperry, republican, was elected, 
and accordingly he served the term. 

1861 — Joseph H. Deacon, republican. Re-elected in 1863, and died 
the same year. Thomas M. Banberry was appointed to fill the vacancy 
till the election of 1864. 

1864 — A. C. Younkin, republican, was elected to serve out Deacon's 
unexpired term. This year the offices of recorder and treasurer were 
made separate— 'the first to be elected in the even years, and the latter in 
the odd years. 

1865. — A. C. Younkin, re-elected. Re-elected again in 1867. 

1869 — A. J. Hershire, democrat. Re-elected in 1871. 

1873 — Lowell Swisher, democrat. Re-elected in 1875. 

1877— Charles M. Reno, democrat. Re-elected in 1879. 

1881 — Hugh McGovern, democrat. Present incumbent, Oct. 1, 1882. 

SUCCESSIVE RECORDERS. 

1838- — I. p. Hamilton, whig, elected Sept. 10. Mr. Hamilton was dis- 
tinctly elected as recorder. 

1840 — Jesse Berry, democrat, was elected as recorder. But thereafter 
the duties of this office seem to have been performed by the clerk of the 
district court for some years, and was finally united with the office of 
treasurer. 

1848 — Hiram Watts, democrat, elected as recorder and treasurer. 
And from this on, till 1864, the recorder and treasurer were the same. 
See " Successive Treasurers" for the names of incumbents during that 
period. 

1864 — November 8, John B. Lee was elected recorder for two years; 
at the same time A. C. Younkin was elected treasurer till January 1, 1866. 



196 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

The two offices having now been made separate, and elective in alternate 
years, so that the next election of treasurer would occur at the fall election 
in 1865. [See "Successive Treasurers."] 

1866 — J. S. Lodore, republican. Re-elected in 1868. 

1870 Wm. J. Huff, democrat. 

1872— George W. Hand, republican. Re-elected in 1874. 

1876 — Alexander L. Sorter, democrat. Re-elected 1878-80. Resigned 
in April, 1882, and WiUis C. Wheden was appointed by the county board 
to fill the vacancy. , 

SUCCESSIVE AUDITORS. 

Up to 18.51 the county court consisted of three commissioners. The 
first board, elected in 1838, consisted of Henry Felkner, WilHam Sturgis 
and Abner Wolcott . The last board of commissioners were A. Gilliland, 
George Fesler and David Wray. During the continuance of this system, 
the board audited the public accounts. But the law was changed so that 
in 1851, a county judge was elected, for the combined duties of judge of 
probate, county commissioners, auditor and clerk; and at this time Fer- 
nando H. Lee was elected as the first county judge, serving also as audi- 
tor. This system continued until the separate office of auditor was created 
by act of the legislature, April 7, 1868, and the county judgeship abol- 
ished. James Cavanagh had been elected in 1867 as county judge and 
auditor, and continued to hold as auditor until — 

1869 — Garrett D. Palmer, democrat, was elected. Re-elected 1871-73. 

1875 — A. J. Hershire, democrat. Re-elected 1877. 

1879 — Arthur Medowell, republican, present incumbent, Oct. 1, 1882. 

SUCCESSIVE COUNTY JUDGES. 

At the county election of 1838, no judge of probate was elected. 

1839 — Pleasant Harris, democrat, was elected in April, as judge of pro- 
bate. 

1840 — William McCormick, whig, judge of probate, elected in October. 

1843 — ^John Hawkins, whig, was elected judge of probate, and was 
re-elected from term to term until April 11, 1850, when he resigned, and 
George S. Hampton was appointed to fill the vacancy. The next year 
this office was combined with the new office of county judge, which took 
the place of the board of three commissioners; hence we have 

1851 — Fernando H. Lee, democrat, elected as the first county judge. 
Re-elected in 1855, as a republican. 

1857 — George W. McCleary, democrat. Re-elected in 1859 and 1861, 
the term having been changed from four to two years. 

18(53 — John Williams, republican. 

1867 -James Cavanagh, democrat. With his term, this office became 
extinct, but he continued to be county auditor until 1869, when G. D. 
Palmer was elected. 

SUCCESSIVE SURVEYORS. 

1839 — Cyrus Sanders, democrat, elected in August, 1838, and was con 
tinned in the office clear up to 1855. 
1855 — Edward Worden, democrat. 
1857 — Cyrus Sanders, again. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 197 

1859 — D. J. Davies, republican. Killed at the battle of Cedar Creek, 
in Virginia, 186-1, 

1861 — James Dawson, repubilican. 

1863 — Phineas Cowgill, republican. 

1865 — Daniel A. Shafer, republican then. 

1867 — Edward Worden again. 

1860 — Christian Hess, democrat. 

1871 — Edward Worden, third time; and re-elected in 1873. 

1875— H. N. Berry, democrat. 

1877 — Charles P. Bacon, democrat. 

1879 — Daniel A. Shafer, democrat. 

1881 — Edward Worden; his fifth election to the office. 

SUCCESSIVE CORONERS. 

1839 — John Hawkins, whig, elected in August, 1839. 
1810 — I. P. Hamilton, whig, elected in October. 
1812 — Thomas Ricord, democrat, elected in August. 

[From 1811: to 1850 no names of coroners could be ascertained ; but as this 
office always "went a-begging" (there was neither honor nor profit in it), 
it is supposed that whoever was elected fi-om term to term failed to qual- 
ify — and that in reality there was no coroner.] 

1851 — Daniel S. Warren, democrat. 
1853 — Thomas Cahill, democrat. 
1855 — F. Thompson, whig. 
1857 — Charles McGovern, democrat. 
1859 — John West, republican. 
1861 — Dr. Frederick Lloyd, republican. 
1863 — Benjamin Owen, republican. 

1865 — O. Startsman, republican; he failed to qualifiy, and Dr. F. Lloyd 
was elected in 1866 to fill the vacancy. 
1867— Chas A. Vogt, democrat. 
1869— R. W. Pryce, republican. 
1871— B. F. Graham, democrat. 

1873 — Dr. Henry Murray, republican. Re-elected in 1875-77. 
1879— F. Mueller, democrat. 

SUCCESSIVE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS. 

This office first appears in 1858, at the October election, when there 
were three candidates, who received votes as follows: H. W. Lathrop, 
republican, 1185; J. H. Boucher, democrat, 910; Wm. W. Woods, old 
line whig, 138. Hence: 

1858 — H. W. Lathrop, republican. 
1859 — R. H. Sylvester, democrat. 
1861 — David J. Davis, republican. 
1863— W. J. Haddock, republican. 
1865 — Samuel D. Pryce, republican. 
1867 — George S. Hampton, democrat. 

1869 — R. L. Ganter, democrat. Mr. Ganter was the Episcopal minis- 
ter; he went back to New York the same month of his election, and 
13 



198 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

never qualified. Prof. T. S. Parvin was appointed by the county board, 
October, 1869, and served the entire term. 

1871 — George S. Hampton, again. 

1873 — Amos Hiatt, republican. 

1875— J. M. Curry, democrat. Re-elected in 1877. 

1879— Wilson Blain, democrat. Re-elected in 1881. 

REPRESENTATIVES IN LEGISLATURE. 

1838 — Robert G. Roberts, whig, of Cedar county; represented Cedar, 
Johnson and Muscatine counties. 

1839 — S. C. Hastings, democrat, and T. T. Clark, whig, both of Mus- 
catine, were elected to represent Muscatine and Johnson counties, as one 
district. 

1840 — Henry Felkner, democrat, was elected to represent Johnson 
county alone, and Hastings was elected to represent Muscatine and John- 
son counties in the council, or upper house [senate]. This election of 1840 
occurred in October; but thereafter it was to be held on the first Monday 
of August. [See legislative act of January 15, 1840,] 

1841 — Henry Felkner was re-elected; and again re-elected in 1842. 
-^ 1843 — James P. Carleton, democrat. These elections occurred in 
August. 

1844 — Instead of representatives to territorial legislature, this year Sam- 
uel H, McCrary, whig, and ex-Gov. Robert Lucas and Henry Felkner, 
democrats, were elected in April to a convention for framing a state con- 
stitution. But the constitution was rejected by a popular vote in April, 
1845; and at the same time 

1845— (April) Hugh D. Downey was elected representative in the ter- 
ritorial legislature. August 4, of this year, the proposed state constitution 
was voted on again, and again rejected, because the state boundary as 
fixed by congress was unsatisfactory. For the constitution, 7,235; against 
it, 7,656. 

1846 — Aug. 3, 1846, another state constitution was voted on, resulting, 
for it, 9,492; against it, 9,036— adopted by 456 majority. Under this con- 
stitution an election was held on Oct. 26 for state officers and legislators. 
Two citizens of Johnson county were elected to state offices at this time, 
to-wit: Joseph T. Fales, first state auditor, and Morgan Reno, first state 
treasurer. [See article on "State Organization."] The new state legisla- 
ture met at Iowa City, Nov. 30; and on Dec. 28, Iowa was by act of con- 
gress admitted to the Union as a state. Hence — 

1846 — Smiley H. Bonham, democrat, was elected in October, as the first 
representative in the state legislature from Johnson county. Re-elected in 
1848. The territorial term had been for one year; the state term was for 
two years. 

1850 — Oilman Folsom, democrat. Re-elected in 1852, (August elec- 
tion), to represent Johnson county; and Robert M. Hutchinson to repre- 
sent the district composed of Johnson, Iowa and Poweshiek counties. 

1854 — Samuel H. McCrary, whig, elected as county representative; 
and Rolla Johnson, whig, as district representative. 

1856 — Geo. D. Woodin, republican, county representative, and Thomas 
Inskeep district representative. During the winter of 1856-57 the legisla- 
ture found Johnson county having population enough to entitle her to two 
full representatives, instead of sharing a part of her second one with two 
other countiei. Hence we have — 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 199 

1857 — John Clark, democrat, and James Cavanagh, democrat. 

1859 — Rush Clark, republican, and Geo. T. Davis, republican. 

1861 — Rush Clark re-elected; and S. H. Fairall, democrat. 

1863 — Robert S. Finkbine, republican, and Warren Spurrier, republi- 
can. 

1865 — R. S. Finkbine re-elected; and Gilbert E, DeForest, republican. 

1867 — John P. Irish, democrat; and J. Y. Blackwell, democrat. 

1869 — John P. Irish re-elected, having received 1,862 votes. The next 
highest vote, as recorded, was for A. B. Cornell, republican, 1,792; next, 
George Paul, democrat, 1,789; next, David Stewart, repulican, 1,784. 
What purports to be the vote by townships is recorded on page 259 of the 
"Election Book" (Penn township being omitted), but the certificates of the 
canvassing board for this whole election (October, 1869), were not 
recorded. The fact was, the board rejected the vote of Penn township 
for some informality, which left Cornell with a small majority, and they 
gave him a certificate of election ; but Stewart contested the matter before 
the legislature, and this body decided that the Penn township vote should 
have been counted ; this made a majority in the county for Stewart over 
Cornell; so David Stewart, republican, served that term. 

1871 — John P. Irish, re-elected again; and George Paul, democrat. 

1873 — George Paul, re-elected; and John Hindman, democrat. 

1875 — Rush Clark, elected again; and Charles W. McCune, repub- 
lican. 

1877 — Moses Bloom, democrat; and George Paul, elected again. 

1879 — Moses Bloom re-elected; and Lewis R. Wolfe, democrat. 

1881 — Edward W. Lucas, democrat (son of Robert Lucas, the first 
Governor of Iowa Territory); and Lewis R. Wolfe, re-elected. 

SENATORS. 

1838 — Charles Whittlesy, whig, of Cedar county, was elected to the 
territorial council from Cedar, Johnson, and several other counties. 

1840 — S. C. Hastings, democrat, [of Muscatine] elected to represent 
the district comprising Muscatine and Johnson counties in the territorial 
legislative council — equivalent to what is now called the State Senate. 

1842 — Pleasant Harris, democrat. 

1844— 

1846 — Thomas Hughes, democrat, elected in October. In drawing lots 
for two and four year terms, Hughts got a short term. 

1848 — Freeman Alger, democrat, elected for a four year term. 

1852 — George D. Crosthwait, whig. In the spring of 1854 Crosthwait 
went to California, and his office was vacant. Hence — 

1854 — Samuel Workman, democrat, was elected in August, to fill the 
vacancy. 

1856 — Samuel J. Kirk wood, republican. Elected in November, for 
the term of four years, but in 1857 the new constitution was adopted, 
August 3, by a majority of 1,630, and went into effect September 3; it 
changfd the time of electmg senators to the odd years, thus cutting one 
year oft' tVom Kirkwood's term. But in 1859 he was elected Governor. 

1859— Jesse Bowen, republican. 

1863 — Ezekiel Clark, republican. 
■ 1867 — Samuel H. Fairall, democrat. Re-elected in 1871. 

1875— Ezekiel Clark again. 

1879— Dr. John C. Shrader, republican. 



200 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

THE GRAND PARLIAMENT. 

January T, 1861, the first county board under the new law providing for 
one member from each township, met, and organized by electing Andrew 
Graham as chairman ^r^* ieni. On ballott, Hugh D. Downey was elected 
to serve as chairman during the year. Lots were drawn for one year 
and two year terms, and the final roll of this first grand parliament of 
the county was as follows: 

Township. Member. Term. 

Big Grove Joseph Beuter 1 year. 

Hardin O. B. Barros 2 years. 

Scott A. Beach 2 

Pleasant Valley G. E. DeForest 1 " 

Iowa City H. D. Downey 2 " 

Liberty Geo. Fessler 1 " 

Monroe James Fogg 2 " 

Graham Andrew Graham 1 " 

Union Phineas Harris 1 " 

Newport Bradford Henyon 2 " . 

Iowa City S. H. McCrarv 1 " 

Sharon Joseph P. Miller 2 

Washington E. Patterson 1 " 

Oxford James Remley 2 " 

Cedar Gideon Steenberger ... 2 " 

Clear Creek William Wolfe 1 

Jefferson Thomas Graham 2 " 

Madison Lewis R. Wolfe 1 " 

Fremont M. L. Morris 2 " 

Penn.- J. W. Stow 1 " 

TOO MANY OFFICE-HOLDERS. 

For some years previous to October, 1870, the county board consisted 
of one member from each township; but this was found to be too unwieldy, 
cumbersome and costly a body of men just to do a little county business. 
Hence, the legislature made a change, providing that the county board 
should consist of not less than three members; but the people of any county 
might by popular vote increase the number to five or seven, if they thought 
best. Accordingly, at the October election of 1870, in Johnson county, 
three county commissioners, to-wit: M. J. Morsman, L. R. Wolfe and 
Samuel Spurrier, were elected. But at the same time the people voted on 
the question, whether the number should be increased to seven, and on this 
the vote stood 1,164 in favor and 2,005 against the increased number of 
members. A cold wave of " retrenchment" had struck the county, and it 
was thought three men could do the work better, or at least at less cost^ 
than seven, and to cut down expenses was now the order of the day, 
everywhere. 

At the general election in November, 1872, another vote was taken on a 
proposition to increase the county board, five being the number proposed 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 201 

this time, and on this question the vote stood, 2,266 in favor of increasing 
the number of members from three to five, and 821 votes against it. 

HIGHER POLITICAL HONORS. 

The following Johnson county men have held state or national offices: 

Robert Lucas — first Territorial Governor of Iowa — 1838-39-10. 

Joseph T. Fales — first State Auditor, elected in 1846. 

Morgan Reno— first State Treasurer, elected in 1816; was Territorial 
Auditor in 1810. 

James Harlan — State Superintendent of schools in 1846-7-8; United 
States Senator from 1855 to 1865; then resigned, and Kirk wood was 
elected to fill vacancy. Harlan was again Senator from 1866 to 1872. 

Samuel J. Kirkwood — Governor of Iowa in 1859-60-61-62. Elected 
again in 1875. United States Senator in 1866; again elected in 1877. Sec- 
retary of the Interior in President Garfield's Cabinet in 1881; resigned in 
April, 1882. 

John Pattee — State Auditor; in 1855 appointed to fill vacancy; elected 
in 1856 to 1859. 

Rush Clark — Representative in Congress in 1876; re-elected in 1878. 
Died in Washington City, April 28, 1879. 

Wm. E. Miller— Judge of Supreme Court in 1864; Chief Justice, from 
1874 to 1876. 

T. S. Parvin— Register of State Land Office from 1857 to 1859. 

George Paul— State Printer, 1840 to 1849. 

John Teesdale— State Printer, 1857 to 1861. 

Wm. Pattee— State Auditor, 1850 to 1854. 

Martin L. Morris — State Treasurer, 1852 to 1859. 

SUCCESSIVE POSTMASTERS OF IOWA CITY. 

From the great heap of historical driftwood, which Col. Trowbridge 
has kept to mulch his memory with, an old yellowish brown paper was 
raked out, which furnished the basis of the following sketch: 

The post-office of Napoleon, Johnson County, Iowa, was established 
March 2, 1839; and the successive postmasters from that time to this 
have been — 

John Gilbert— appointed March 2,1839; Martin Van Buren, president. 
At this time it was the prerogative of the Postmaster General to appoint 
the minor postmaters. Amos Kendall was Postmaster General, and his 
name was signed to Gilbert's commission. It arrived here about the mid- 
dle or 20th of March; but Gilbert was then in a dying condition (died 
within a day or two afterward) and the document was never shown to 
him. 

Wm. M. Harris—appointed April 18, 1839, by Postmaster General 
Kendall. This appointment was an episode of the struggle between rival 
settlements in the county, each striving to secure the county seat — the 
Gilbert neighborhood standing for Napoleon, and the Harris neighbor- 
hood standing for Osceola. A historical Atlas of Johnson county, pub- 
lished in 1870, says the^frs/ post-office in the county was in Liberty town- 
ship, the name of the first post-office was "Osceola," and Wm. Harris 
was the first postmaster — three firstling errors in as man^^ lines. There 
was never any post-office here at all named Osceola; Napoleon was not 
in Liberty township; and John Gilbert zvas the first appointed postmaster 



202 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

in the county — Mr. Harris the second. He was a young man — had no 
home of his own, but lived with his father, Pleasant Harris (generally 
known as "Judge Harris,") and kept the post-otiice at his father's house. 
This was on the west side of the river, where it bends to the eastward and 
so throws the southwest quarter of section twenty-three on the west side, 
in Liberty township. The house stood a short distance above the mouth 
of Old Man's creek, just where Sterling Stagg now lives (18S2). This 
was about fotir miles below the Napoleon town site, and on the op-posite 
side of the rivef\ which was a great annoyance and aggravation to the 
Napoleonites. But they took measures as quickly as possible to report 
their case at Washington. In connection with this post-office struggle 
there were schemes and counter-schemes, and tampering with the mails 
between Napoleon and Bloomington (Muscatine); but the story is too 
long and unimportant to be worth the space it would take to tell it in 
print. Suffice to say, there was soon a change of postmasters at Napo- 
leon, and also at the little post-office called Lucas, where the Bloomington 
road crossed Cedar river. Here the Napoleon mails had been " doc- 
tored." 

Samuel H. McCrory — appointed by Postmaster-General Kendall, July 
4, 1839. McCrory kept the office at his house on section thirteen, Lucas 
township, right where his fine residence called Virginia Grove now stands, 
(1882;) but as soon as it was possible to get a room in Iowa City, he 
opened the post-office there, in the store of Charles S. Foster. 

Chauncy Swan — appointed by Postmaster General Kendall, Nov. 14, 
1839. And at the same time the name was changed from Napoleon to 
Iowa City post-office. And thus Napoleon was snufled out. 

James M.Hawkins — appointed Sept. 2, 1841, by Frank Granger, P. M.G. 

Samuel C. Trowbridge — appointed Aug. 3, 1842, by Charles A. 
Wickliff, P. M. G. Sworn in, Sept. 20, the same day he resigned the 
office of sheriff. 

James P. Bradshaw — appointed April 27, 1849, by Jacob Collamer, P. 
M.G. 

Anson Hart — appointed Aug. 13, 1851, by President Millard Filmore. 
N. K. Hall was now Postmaster General, but the appointing power had 
by this time been vested in the President direct, instead of his postal sec- 
retary as before. 

George Paul — appointed April 6, 1853, by President Frank Pierce. 
James Campbell was the P. M. G. 

William Vogt— appointed May 10, 1854, by President Pierce. (This 
was Dr. Vogt, a favorite and influential man among the German people). 

Arthur B. Stillwell — appointed June 4, 1857, by President James Buch- 
anan, A. B. Brown, P. M. G. 

Samuel Workman — appointed April 6, 1859, by President Buchanan. 

Joseph E. Fales — appointed Aug. 31, 1860, by President Buchanan. 
Joseph Holt was now P. M. G. 

James R. Hartsock — appointed April 30, 1861, by President Abraham 
Lincoln. Montgomery Blair was Postmaster General. Mr. Hartsock 
was re-appointed by President Lincoln, April 11, 1805, only three days 
before his assassination. 

George W. Clark — appointed Aug. 22, 1866, by President Andrew 
Johnson. Alexander Randall was the P. M. G. 

Edward W. Lucas — appointed May 1, 1867, by President Johnson. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 203 

James R. Hartsock again — appointed this time by President U. S. 
Grant, April 21, 1869. 

N. H. Brainerd — appointed by President Grant, May 17, 1872, and 
assumed the duties of the office on the 8th day of June. 

Benjamin Owen — appointed by President Grant, July 24, 1876. 

Jacob Ricord— appointed by President Rutherford B. Hayes, June 14, 
1880, and still holds the office, Oct. 1, 1882. 

POST MASTERS AND POST OFFICES OF JOHNSOIJ COUNTY, OCT. 1, 1882. 

Name of Office. Township. Postmaster. 

Amish Washington Charles Yoder. 

Bon Accord Liberty Joseph Hirt. 

Chase Madison O. G. Babcock. 

Coralville Lucas J. H. Clark. 

Danforth Monroe B. Beyer. 

Frank Pierce Washington Elias Fry. 

Gregg Monroe David Simonton. 

Iowa City Iowa City Jacob Ricord. 

Lone Tree Fremont A. W. Leonard. 

Morfordville Pleasant Valley M. Smith. 

Morse Graham M. E. Freeman. 

North Liberty Penn Harry A. White. 

Oasis Graham D. E. M'Clellan. 

Oxford Oxford J. M. Templeman. 

River Junction Fremont J- D. Musser. 

Sharon Center Sharon G. Hertlein. 

Shoo Fly Fremont John Henry. 

Shuey ville Jefferson John W. Deen. 

Solon Big Grove C. G. Swafford. 

Tiffin Clear Creek Bryan Dennis. 

Windham Hardin Owen Slater. 

All former post-offices not named in the above list had been discontinued 
prior to Oct. 1, 1882. There is no post-office within the following town- 
ships: Lincoln, Scott, Newport, Cedar and Union. 

EARLY CENSUS REPORTS. 

Year. Population. Year. Population. 

1838 237 1846 3,000. 

1840 1,504 1847 3,387. 

1844 2,949 1849 4,010. 

See the following table by townships lor census reports from 1850 to 
1880: 



204 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 



POPULATION OF JOHNSON COUNTY AT DIFFERENT PERIODS. 

NoTK.— The cities and villages are printed with their proper townships, but in black type, and also 
their figures are in black type, and are not included it the footings at the bottom, for they were already 
counted in the township figures. 

THIS TABLE WAS PKEFARED FOK THIS WORK BY W. H. FLEMING, STATISTICIAN, OP DES 

MOINES, 





1880 


1875 1 


1873 


1870 


1869 


1867 


1865 1 


1863 1 


1860 1 


1856 


1850 


Big- Grove 


1303 

3M» 

963 

612 

47 

IJIO 
317 
35 
876 
S4 
1« 
834 
33 

7123 
7123 


1311 


1352 


1358 


1263 


1179 


1064 


986 


954 


908 


382 




939 

754 


827 
698 


1094 

728 


992 
711 


815 
600 


804 
496 


830 
497 


789 
475 


526 

282 


145 




166 


Tiffin 






889 


1036 


965 


829 


697 


556 


560 


598 












Klver Junction — 


'"'880 


""8S3 


""loig 


915 














627 


746 


694 


751 












Oasis 










'405 


374 










Hardin 


764 


733 


737 


583 


346 


312 








6371 
«371 
147« 
130i> 
303<> 
1G58 
862 

'"'614 


6454 
G454 
1579 
1393 
303« 
1557 
842 

692 


8094 
5914 


8683 
6583 


8498 
6418 


7106 
5417 


6011 
4417 


6547 
5314 


6316 


1568 


Iowa City 

^Vard 1 . . 


1350 


'• a 






* 














" 3 




















" 4 




















Jefl!"er8on 


789 
108 

568 
48 
588 

1494 

347 

625 

941 

836 

1436 
5«0 
702 
604 
55 
897 

1159 
780 
999 
31 


900 
""640 


807 
■"'651 


744 
'658 


642 
"575 


600 
""518 


703 
'" 558 


523 
""663 






382 


Houth liiberty 




568 
2213 
397 

693 
899 
746 
1009 


641 
2323 


t 


















t ... 




































726 
921 
716 
1149 


800 
1034 

814 
1043 


788 
869 
688 
891 


609 
790 
644 
749 


600 
660 
614 

608 


475 
652 
617 
576 








Monroe 

Newport 

Oxford 


499 
538 
535 


493 
686 
309 


254 
301 


Penn — 

Pleasant Valley 


694 
579 

'854 
1196 
713 
809 


599 
566 

"845 
1211 
756 
944 


676 
1189 


661 
1129 


619 

817 


485 
556 


620 

608 


1170 
679 


827 
796 


386 

287 


Scott 

Sharon 

Union 


964 

1120 

790 

933 


854 

1084 

660 

891 


767 

1018 

530 

875 


733 

896 
493 
770 


664 
716 

410 
807 


694 
724 

31*8 
649 


683 

352 
953 


195 


Washingnton 

Frank Pierce 


39S 






















Total 


25429 


24654 


24814 


24898 


23948 


21641 


18778 


17177 


17573 


14457 


4472 



*Up to 1870 Iowa City township included what is now called Lucas township, but in 1873-75-80, it only 
Included the City. 

tPormerly a part of Pleasant Valley township. 

iPormerly Iowa City township. 



CHAPTER II.— PART 2. 



COURTS AND CRIMES. 

First District Court— First Crimir.al Case (Gregg)— First Court in Iowa City— First Natur- 
alizations— A Gang of Petty Thieves— A $5,000 Robbery— The Boyd-Wilkiusou Trag- 
edy. 

THE FIRST DISTRICT COURT IN THE COUNTY. 

The act organizing the county, approved June 22, 1838, provided for 
district court to be held on the second Mondays of August and Decem- 
ber. But a new law approved Jan. 21, 1839, changed the time to May 
and September. The first session of this court was held on the second 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 205 

Monday of May, [May 13,] 1839, in the old "Gilbert trading house," then 
occupied by Wm. Dupont and his woman, Betsy Skinner, then supposed 
to be his lawful wife, but afterward proved not; for they were both 
indicted for fornication by the grand jury at the very next term of court, 
to-wit, on September 11, 1839. (Gilbert had died in March, only two 
months before this court session.) This house was not within the town 
limits of Napoleon, the lawful county seat, but was the nearest that any 
suitable building could be found for the purpose, and this contingency had 
been expressly provided for in the organizing act. About a hundred 
rods further south was "the Chase trading house;" and here was where 
the victuals and whisky were kept to carry on the court with. The 
officers of that first session of a criminal court in Johnson county were: 

Joseph Williams, judge of the second judicial district, and resided at 
Bloomington, now called Muscatine.* 

Samuel C. Trowbridge, sheriff. 

Luke Douglas was appointed clerk by the judge. 

Theodore S. Parvin, prosecuting attorney, (since widely known as 
Prof. Parvin.) 

THE FIRST JURORS. 

The court opened on Monda3\ On Tuesday the grand jury for the 
United States was called, and the following men answered to their names: 

Samuel H. McCrory, foreman (now deceased); John G. Coleman (de- 
ceased); David Sweet (deceased); Robert Walker (deceased); Nathaniel 
Fellows (deceased); John Gardner (went back to Indiana); David Sweit- 
zer (still lives in Liberty township); James Smith (deceased); James Doug- 
lass (deceased); Charles Jones (deceased); John A. Street (deceased); 
George W. Hawkins (deceased); John Gailor (went back to Illinois); 
Yale Hamilton (deceased); William Ward (moved to Oregon); Jonathan 
Harris (deceased); Samuel Walker (deceased). 

This jury found no business, and was discharged. But they were al 
immediately recalled as a grand jury for the Territory of Iowa. They 
found a "true bill" of indictment against Andrew J. Gregg, for "pass- 
ing counterfeit money," etc., and he was bound over to the next term of 
court; and it was "ordered that the prisoner be remanded to prison, or 
required to enter bail for his appearance at the next term with one or more 
Sufficient securities, each in the sum of $600." 

The record further says: "The following good men and true, sum- 
moned as petit jurors, were called, and answered to their names:" 

Philip Clark (still lives in Newport township); Henry Reddout (de- 
ceased); James Magruder (still lives in Fremont township; he served 

*An act of the territorial legislature, Jan. 21, 1839, made the counties of Louisa, Musca- 
tine, Johnson with Linn attached. Cedar wilh Jones attached, and Slaughter, [now Wash- 
ington], to constitute the second judicial district; and named Joseph Williams to be the 
district judge. Then Gov. Lucas appointed T. 8. Parvin to be prosecuting attorney for 
this district. 



206 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

again on a jury in the same court forty-two years afterward, to-wit, in 
January, 1881); John 1. Burge, (deceased); Samuel Bumgardner, (de- 
ceased); Jesse McCart (went back to Ohio); James S. Wilkinson 
(deceased); Asby D. Packard (still lives in Hardin township); Peter Crum 
(deceased); Green Hill (deceased); Elijah Hurley (deceased); William 
Kelso (deceased); John Trout (moved to Missouri); I. P. Hamilton, 
(moved to Wisconsin); Joel Dowell (deceased); William M. Harris 
(moved to Linn county, Iowa); Alonzo C. Denison (moved to Kansas). 

No cases were tried at this term, and therefore the petit jury was per- 
mitted by the bailiff to " go a-fishing," as explained further on. 

The lawyers present, in addition to those holding some office, were: 

S. C. Hastings, afterwards Chief Justice of Iowa; (see foot-note to 
the election held at Napoleon in August, 1839); he was attorney here 
for the horse-thief, Gregg; Stephen Whicher, afterward U. S. District 
Attorney for Iowa; Ira C. Day, of Bloomington; Wm, E. Austin, who 
was, on motion of T. S. Parvin, " admitted, and took the oath of office 
as an attorney and councilor of this court." Young Austin wrote some 
comic verses about Judge Williams' fiddling for the prisoner, Gregg, to 
dance, which annoyed the judge very much. 

In proper time Judge Williams instructed the sheriff to conduct the jury 
to a suitable place of retirement for their deliberations. There was no build- 
ing to be had. Every place was already full and running over. He there- 
fore led them out on to the prairie and gave them their metes and bounds. 
Gilbert creek (now called Snyder creek), about a mile to the east, was to 
be their eastern boundary; the big marsh was the boundary on the north, 
the Iowa river on the west, and the Bloomington (now Muscatine) ox-road 
on the south, (See diagram page 207.) This was to be the jury room, 
and comprised more than a half section of land. Some of the grand jurors 
wanted to go a-fishing, but the sheriff forbade any such trifling with the 
dignity and solemn duties of their high office. They might play cards, 
or drink whisky; but to go a-fishing would never do for a "^r«w<ijury" — 
that privilege was specially reserved for the -petit jury. And accordingly 
the sheriff' named the trail leading from the old trading house where the 
court was in session up to Wapashasheik's town, to be the boundary or 
partition line between the grand jury and petit jury rooms, and set a 
bailifi'to guard the trail and see that no one crossed over. This effectually 
cut oft the icthyophagous grand jurors from "going a-fishing," for the 
river frontage was entirely on the petit jury side of the "Indian trial" road. 
That same Bloomington (Muscatine) road now forms the boundary or 
township line road between Lucas and Pleasant Valley townships. 

The only criminal business done was finding a bill of indictment against 
Andrew J. Gregg, the horse thief. (See "First Criminal Case.") 

The next term of the district court was held in Iowa City, on Sept. 9, 
10, 11, 1839. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY 



207 



NAPOLEON 
TOWN 8ITB. 



□ 



Small 
Cabin. 



\^ A A 

AA^ A A 

A A A 

^ A A „ 

Wapaghaslnnk'e 
Indian Town. 



Indian Trail. 



Big Slough. 



West. 



A 



A A 
A 



A A. A A 
A ^ A . A 
A. A A ^ A A 



■A^ 



A 
A A A A 
A A A A A A A 
AAA * A A 
A A ^ A 

Powesheik's A A A A 

Indian Town. ^^ . -'V -'^ . ^*- 

AAA 
AAA 



The Big Mursh. 



DIAGRAM 

To Ulustrate sketcheB of the firpt county peat, 
the Second and third old trading houses, the first 
district court, the Indian towns, etc., etc. 



Bftst 



The iTilbert tradiuK tiousp. 



Wagon road to Blooinington (Muscatine). 



Brook. 



Indian burying 
ground on a sand 
knoll. 



u 



The (Jhase trading house. 



Gilbert Creek, 
now called 
Snyder Creek. 



208 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

FIRST CRIMINAL CASE. — GREGG, THE HORSE THIEF. 

As there was no jail yet, it became a matter of some difficulty to cap- 
ture and hold as prisoner any desperate fellow who might violate the law. 
And the record made by Clerk Douglass of the first case of this sort is so 
graphic in regard to " said prisoner," and so entertaining as a bit of pioneer 
history, that we quote it entire: 

At a called session of the board of county commissioners in and for the 
county of Johnson, held on the fifteenth day of May, 1839, for the purpose 
of deciding upon some plan for the security and safe keeping of Andrew 
J. Gregg, a prisoner bound over for appearance at court. 

Whereupon, the board ordered as follows: 

That Samuel C. Trowbridge should be allowed forty-three dollars for 
services rendered in summoning two juries, and services rendered at com- 
missioners' court, guarding and keeping Andrew J. Gregg, U. S. pris- 
oner. 

Further, the board orders that Elijah Hilton should be allowed four 
dollars and fifty cents, for attending said prisoner. 

Further, the court allows Stephen Chase four dollars and fifty cents, for 
attending said prisoner. 

Further, the court allows John Miller three dollars and ninety-three and 
a half cents for guarding said prisoner. 

Further, the board orders that Henry G. Reddout should be allowed 
ten and one-eighth dollars for attention to said prisoner. 

Peter Crum was allowed seventy-five cents for services rendered in 
guarding said prisoner, per order of the board of county commissioners. 

Court ordered that Philip Clark should be allowed one and one-eighth 
dollars for services rendered as guard to said prisoner. 

Court ordered John Eagan paid two dollars for services rendered as 
guard to said prisoner. 

Court ordered Samuel C. Trowbridge paid twenty-four dollars and sev- 
enty-five cents for board of said prisoner, and attention to the same. 

Court ordered that John Trout should be allowed one and one-eighth 
dollars for services rendered in guarding said prisoner. 

Court ordered that William C. Massey should be paid fourteen and 
sixty-two one-hundredths dollars for fees as constable, and services ren- 
dered in taking care of said prisoner. 

Court orders that Robert Walker should be allowed one and sixty-two 
one-liundredths dollars, as justice's fees committing said prisoner. 

Court ordered that Walter Chase should be allowed six and twenty-five 
one-hundredths dollars for boarding said prisoner and guard. 

Court ordered that William Dupont should be allowed four and twenty- 
five one-hundredths dollars for boarding said prisoner and guard. 

The board ordered that an oath should be administered to Jonathan 
Harris for the faithful keeping of said prisoner. 

The following is the form of the oath: 

You doo solumnly sware, in the presence of Almighty God, that you will 
take the body of Andrew J. Gregg into your custerdy, and there safely 
keep him, so far as your abilities, until the next session of the district court 
in and for the county of Johnson, territory of Iowa, 

Jonathan Harris. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 209 

The above is transcribed from the original first records, or what is left 
of them, which was a book made by simply stitching a few leaves of the 
old-fashioned foolscap paper together. It was the best they could do at 
the time. The county afterwards purchased a regularly bound blank 
book, and some of the first records were copied into it, while some were 
not; and in making the transfer, the copyist, whoever he was, made cor- 
rections and emendations wherever he thought necessary. 

In transcribing the record about "said prisoner," the cop3ast tries to 
improve on the original by merely saying in each case of claim allowed, 
"for services rendered the county," which is very tame and uninteresting 
when compared with the original entry, for it designates what public 
dut}'- the claimant performed with regard to '•'•said -prisoner.^'' 

This man, Andrew J. Gregg, was one of a gang of frontier outlaws 
who had their headquarters at what was then called Washington Ferry, 
afterwards known as Gower's Ferry, and now called Cedar Bluffs, in 
Cedar county. They were known as Stotenburg's gang. Gregg had 
broke jail at Coldwater, Michigan, and escaped out to Iowa to operate 
with the rest of his kind in stealing horses, passing counterfeit money, etc. 
Gregg and three others came to this settlement, pretending to be viewing 
the country and looking for a location for settlement. At Chase's trading 
house they fell in with Joseph Eagan, and traded horses with him, giving 
him something to boot, but in counterfeit money, of course. Eagan 
started home up the river on his new horse. He was followed in a short 
time by Gregg and one other of the gang, who overtook him near where 
the glucose works now stand, or between there and Dubuque street; 
they stopped him, knocked him off his horse and went off with it down 
the river again. As soon as Eagan got over his stunnedness and fright a 
little, he hurried on to the cabin where McCrory and Trowbridge were 
"batching it," (right where the McCrory mansion now stands,) and 
reported what had happened. Trowbridge being the sheriff, immediately 
got up a -posse and went in pursuit of the outlaws. The other three of the 
gang made good their escape with Eagan's first and second horses, and a 
lot more they had with them; but Gregg was captured near Chase's trad- 
ing house, with two other horses in his possession, one of which was given 
to Eagan to make good his loss. In about two weeks after Gregg's cap- 
ture some of the prowling gang made an attempt to rescue him, which 
did not succeed; but in the affray several men were hurt, the worst injured 
being a man named Rockwell. One of the outlaws got a fish spear stuck 
into him and dragged it off. 

Gregg was an intelligent, athletic and fine looking fellow, and it was a 
matter requiring the most vigilant care and ingenuity to keep him night 
and day for six weeks or more, without any sort of prison or armed 
guards. But Sheriff Trowbridge was equal to the emergency. He cut 
a stout hickory stick and made smooth notches in the ends about forty 



210 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

inches apart; in these notches Gref^g's wrists were laid, and bound fast 
with thongs of raw deerskin. The notches had to be made so far apart 
that the prisoner could not reach them with his teeth and gnaw the 
thongs off. Also, the thongs had to be let into sockets on the underside 
of the stick or yoke, so he could not chafe the thongs off by rubbing them 
all night or day against a stone, stick, or tree. This was the first home- 
made invention to hold him; but the sheriff finally went to a blacksmith 
shop at West Liberty and got a pair of iron anklets or manacles made, 
with a strong padlock and regular old ox-draft log-chain attached; and 
with this arrangement it was less difficult to keep Gregg. But as there 
was no jail or steady guard, the sheriff had sometimes to take his prisoner 
with him when he went out to break prairie, or chop in sod corn with an 
ax, or build rail fence. There is an old-fashioned Virginia worm rail 
fence still standing (1882) on the south side of the road to West Liberty 
and Muscatine, just where it passes S. H. McCrory's house, that was 
built by S. C. Trowbridge, S. H. McCrory and Cyrus Sanders, while 
Gregg lay chained to a tree which then stood a few rods up the hill, in 
McCrory's field, but has since been cut down. They chained him to the 
tree, and then gave him a buffalo robe to spread down, and a pack of 
cards and a Bible, so he could play " good Lord or good Devil," just as he 
liked. But they kept always within sight of him, and their guns loaded 
and within easy snatch, lest sonie of the outlaw gang should attempt his 
rescue, for it was well known that they were prowling about and had 
accomplices all over the frontier country. And such was pioneer life, and 
the difficulties of the sheriffalty in Johnson county in 1839. 

This Gregg was the first prisoner ever taken, and held by lawful pro- 
cess in Johnson county. His was the first case before the first district 
court ever held in the county; and it is told by the old settlers, as a good 
joke on Judge Williams, that one night in the tavern (Chase's trading 
house), [see diagram on page 207] the yudgc played the fiddle, while 
the prisoner Gregg danced, for the amusement of the crowd. The Judge 
was a Methodist class-leader, yet as fond of fun as any rollicking boy — 
and he loved dearly to play the fiddle: so they used to tell that he would 
avoid being a willing witness to the sin of dancing by fiddling away in 
his chair with his back toward the unregenerate sinners while they 
danced. Philip Clark says the Judge did quit fiddling on the above occa- 
sion as soon as he knew that Gregg was dancing; and it plagued the 
good old Judge a great deal to have it told that he had fiddled for Gregg 
to dance. It was a tough joke on him. They say he was also a good 
ventriloquist, and would often amuse social gatherings with this niysteri- 
ous art. 

Gregg was indicted and bound over for trial; but before the next term 
of court he made his escape while in charge of Stephen Chase as guards- 
man. Gregg's case had already cost the county more than its whole 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 211 

year's revenue, and his escape was probably "^ood riddance of bad rub- 
bish." He walked oft' deliberately, in plain view of several other men 
besides his guard, but brandished a bowie knife and swore dire, and bloody 
vengeance on any man who should pursue or attempt to recapture him. 
The case against Gregg was continued on the court records from term to 
term until November 3, 1840; after that it does not appear. S. C. Hast- 
ings was attorney for Gregg. 

DR. Hamilton's sketch. 

The following additional points in regard to this Gregg case were 
written by Dr. I. P. Hamilton, who was an eye witness of what he 
relates : 

Gregg was kept most of the time, while under arrest at Wm. Massev's, 
my brother-in-law. I saw him almost every day while ther'e. Grejjg was 
a smart one. After bu3'ing a bowie-knife and pistol of Chas. H. Berry- 
hill, he packed up his clothes, took out his pistol and knife, bid good day 
to his guard, and left. I have often thought if we (the citizens) had been 
as suspicious of Gregg as Col. Trowbridge, the Sherift' at' that time, 
Gregg would have been held to his trial. The colonel had fixed an in- 
strument (the hickory hand-yoke described above), to confine his hands 
and arms. But Gregg being such a fine-looking fellow, the sympathetic 
part of the community could not tolerate the idea of degrading such a 
fine-looking man. So the colonel had to bow to public sentiment. I was 
at the Indian trading-house when Gregg and an old man came, as they 
said, after the horse that had been taken from Gregg by the officer. 
About the same time this remark was made, Gregg whipped out his 
famous bowie-knife and made a lunge at Wm. Massey. The old French- 
man threw up his arm to prevent the knife from entering Massey's body, 
and received the thrust in his arm, which was quite a severe one. Then 
it was the fight commenced in earnest. I never in mv life saw (as I 
thought at the time) a man that was more effectually killed than the old 
fellow who came with Gregg. (Had a big fish-spear run into him). But, 
two hours after we left him, some one went out where he fell, and he was 
gone, and that was the last was ever heard from Gregg and his friend. 

COUNTERFEITERS WHIPPED. 

Some time in 1839 or IS^O, while Jonathan Harris was keeping tavern 
in the old Gilbert trading-house, a couple of men stopped there for dinner 
and horse feed, and passed a counterfeit $5 bill in payment, receiving their 
change in good money. They had played the same game that morning 
on another man, at Wapsenonoc, and this man, discovering the cheat, had 
followed them. He reached Harris' about an hour after they had left. 
Harris and this man immediately started in pursuit, being joined by neigh- 
bors as they followed the trail and told what sort of game they were 
tracking. The trail was followed across the Iowa river, and northwest- 
erly up to and along Clear creek; then across the prairie south, to Old 
Man's creek, and thence on to Dr. Teeple's house, on English river, just 
over the line in Wasington county. The pursuers had followed the ho'^^e 



212 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

tracks all night, by the aid of a lantern, one of the tracks being marked 
by a broken shoe; and here the rogues were in bed. They were arrested, 
but protested stoutly that they had received the bad money in their trav- 
els, supposing it to be good. A thorough search was instituted, and 
finally a big lot of counterfeit bills was found, stuffed under one of their 
saddle pads. After getting breakfast, the pursuers started back up the 
river with their prisoners. And of the subsequent proceedings in this case 
Dr. I. P. Hamilton writes: 

The men were brought to Judge Harris' house, and word was sent to 
all the houses in the settlement, to meet there at a certain hour, "sharp." 
About thirty of the hardy settlers met at the Judge's house, and organized 
a court. After all the evidence was heard, the court decided that the 
smaller one of the two, in whose saddle the money was found, should 
receive fifteen lashes with the cow-hide on the bare back, and the other 
should receive ten lashes without removing his shirt. Wm. Devault was 
the man appointed to perform the flagellation, which he did in such a 
manner that God grant I may never witness another. 

FIRST DISTRICT COURT IN IOWA CITY. 

The very earliest criminal court records of Johnson county exhibit the 
crime of selling whisky to Indians, and selling without license, in violation 
of the law. The first district court ever held in Iowa City (and second 
one in the county), had for its grand jury: 

Andrew D. Stephen, Ebenezer Douglas, S. B. Mulholland, 

I. P. Hamilton, Robert Walker, Wm. Kelso, 

Wm. Sturgis, Alonzo C. Dennison, Jesse McCart, 

John Hawkins, Isaac Bowen, Wm. M. Harris, 

Fred Dysinger, Henry Felkner, Sam H. McCrory, 

Abner Wolcott. 

These men were empaneled and sworn on September 10, 1S39, and the 
next day they found four indictments against F. M. Irish, for selling liquor 
contrary to law. At trial, he plead guilty on two of the indictments, and 
was fined five dollars and costs in each case. The other two indictments 
were nolle froseqtiied. 

The same jury found similar indictments against Wm. Dupont (who 
was also at the same time indicted for fornication), Charles H. Berryhill, 
Henry H. Hart, Mordecai Cropper and Joseph Coe. 

Coe plead guilty, same as Irish, and was fined five dollars and costs. 
Dupont, Berryhill, Hart and Cropper were held to bail in the sum of $100 
each, until the next term of court. 

At the next term, in May, 1840, another indictment was found against 
Oiarles H. Berryhill for selling whisky to Indians, and also against Fred- 
erick A. Cobb and Elizabeth Skinner [alias Betsy Dupont], for the same 
offense. 

It is a curious fact, that while the men indicted for selling whisky to 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTV. 213 

Indians were allowed bail at $100, this woman, indicted for the same 
offense, was " held to bail in the amount of five hundred dollars,^'' as the 
record reads. Again, the men who plead guilty were fined five dollars 
and costs. This woman plead guilty in court, November 3, 1840, and 
was fined thirty dollars and costs. Why the difl^erence? Who can tell? 
She was a bad woman, a regular old "hard case," but no worse than the 
same class of men. 

Indictments for gambling were found against Wm. McGraw, Sylvester 
Coe, Joseph Coe, Luke Douglass, James Rock, Peter Blake, L. Coy and 
Samuel McMurray. Luke Douglass was clerk of the court. He plead not 
guilty, and a jury was empaneled. Cyrus Sanders, I. N. Sanders, Wm. Har- 
ris, Wm. Miller, Andrew D. Stephen and A. C. Dennison were members of 
that jurv whose names will be familiar to old settlers. Douglass afterward 
" plead guilty to the several counts in the indictment," and was fined ten 
dollars and costs. This was on May 16. The others there upon took the 
same course. 

This afiair let Douglass out of office; and on May 18, 1840, Stephen B. 
Gardner was appointed clerk of the district court. He, on the same day, 
appointed Fernando H. Lee as his deput}^ 

Berryhill was re-indicted for selling whisky to Indians, at each succes- 
sive term until May, 1841, when he plead guilty to all the charges, and 
put himself on the mercy of the court. He was then fined thirty-five dol- 
lars and costs, 

FIRST NATURALIZATIONS. 

On June 1, 1841, were issued the first naturalization papers ever made 
in Johnson county. The following named gentlemen from Ireland 
appeared before the district court in Iowa City, there solemnly abjured 
their allegiance to the Queen of Great Britain, and swore allegiance to the 
United States: 

James Wicks, John Mullin, Hugh Deen, Harmon Luken, Francis Kerr, 
Patrick Smith, Jeremiah Driskel, Michael Kefl', William Croty, Andrew 
Mc Williams, John Hurly, John Conway, James Roach, John Conboy. 

On the next day, June 2, the following Germans came into court and 
made oath of their intention to become citizens of the United States: 

Casper Nick, native and subject of Prussia; Joseph Gross, of Wirtem- 
burg; Mathias Laner, of Baden; Casper Dunkel, of Bavaria; Philip 
Schwartfager, of Hanover; Ferdmand Haverstraw, of Baden. 

On following days during the same term the same oath was taken by 
Robert Simpson, John Furlong and Morris Kelly, subjects of Great 
Britain, and John Luken, subject of the King of Hanover. 

A GANG OF PETTY THIEVES BROKEN UP. 

During the winter of 1842-43 there was a good deal of small stealing 
going on in Iowa City and vicinity — such as of meat, hams, chickens, 
14 



214 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

clothing, flour, etc. A mulatto fellow named Brown was finally arrested, 
and in course of time it was wormed out of him that a white man named 
Haines was in it with him. But at that time the laws even of Iowa would 
not permit a " colored man " to testify in court against a white man. So 
nothing could be done with Haines unless some white man's testimony 
could be obtained. It was current opinion in the community that Haines 
was " a hard case," but there was no lawful proof against him. 

Walter Butler was now sheriff and Elisha Pierson the jailor. And a 
scheme was made up by John M. Coleman and Chauncey Swan to trap 
Haines, and so break up the gang; but several other parties had to enter 
into the project, and the sheriff of course had to connive at certain "irreg- 
ularities " which were to be carried on in the case " ivitJiout his knotuledge, 
vouknow?" The mulatto Brown had a low-grade white woman who 
purported to be his wife and seemed firml}^ devoted to him. She was led 
to believe that if they could capture Haines and get lawful testimony 
against him, her husband would be let off easy, or perhaps permitted to 
escape jail and get away. So she baked a lot of biscuits and prepared 
nearly a peck of hard boiled eggs for him to take along on a certain 
night, when he was to make his escape, after serving as a decoy for the 
entrapment of Haines. On the appointed night, (somewhere about the 
1st of May, 1843), Brown was smuggled out of the jail, while the good 
sheriff slept in quiet innocence, and taken to his house, — though iron 
shackles were kept on his ankles, for he could run like a deer, and they 
didn't dare to trust him without irons on. When arrived at his house the 
programme was arranged, Mrs. Brown fixed a bed with a sheet hang- 
ing down in front like a valance; Brown was to sit on this bed while she 
went to tell Haines that he was there and wanted to see him. If Haines 
came, Brown was to have him sit on the bed beside him so they could 
talk low, for fear somebody might be around somewhere and overhear 
them; then he was to talk with Haines so as to have him acknowledge 
his being a party to the stealing. With these points all arranged and 
agreed upon, John B. Adams and Samuel C. Trowbridge got under the 
bed, while Dr. Henry, St. G. Coe and Malcom Murray staid in an adjoin- 
ing room. The house was now darkened, and Mrs. Brown went after 
Haines, who soon returned with her. He sat down on the bed, and Brown 
explained that he had got out of jail and was going to leave the country, 
but had no money, and wanted now his share of what they had stolen 
together. Haines said he had sold some of the meat, and told where more 
was still hid; but he hadn't any money now. He mentioned the other fel- 
lows in the gang, and promised to try and get some money from them to help 
Brown ofl". About this time Trowbridge and Adams grabbed Haines by 
the trouser legs; he jumped and yelled, but the}^ jerked him to the floor 
and crawled out onto him, where he struggled lustily; but as soon as he 
yelled, Coe and Murray in the next room, who were standing ready with 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 215 

matches, at once struck a light and opened the door. The woman 
screamed, and a baby screamed, and there was a full " circus " for a few 
seconds, till Haines saw that he was completely caught, and gave up, and 
was quietl}^ marched to jail. 

The gang consisted of the mulatto Brown, Harrison Haines and his 
brother, known as "Horse Haines," besides a man named Guyton, and 
one other whose name is forgotten. Mulatto Brown and Harrison Haines 
were now in jail, and the rest of the gang known; and they didn't wait on 
ceremony, but suddenly stampeded for parts unknown.' And in about 
two months, while waiting for the next term of court, Brown and Haines, 
probably with some outside assistance, succeeded in boring through the 
wall of the old jail, got out in the night and fled the country. And so 
the whole gang was gotten rid of with little cost to the county. 

But why didn't Haines kill Brown for having him caught? O, Brown 
made him believe that he didn't know anything about those men being 
under the bed and in the next room. He said that was all fixed up by 
his wife, who was mad at the gang, because they hadn't given her his 
share of the stuft^ they had stolen together; but that he (Brown) didn't 
know anything about it at the time. This was a very plausible explana- 
tion, and satisfied Haines. It seems that the mulatto was the cunningest 
man of the gang. He was afterward shot dead one night while robbing 
a hen-roost, some where in Illinois. 

A $5,000 ROBBERY. 

In 1852, a couple of rascals named French and Pierce did a wonderful 
job of stealing one night from A. B. Stillwell's merchant tailoring store. 
They were captured on circumstantial evidence so strong as to be pretty 
sure, yet probably not sufficient for a legal conviction. French was taken 
from the officers by a mob, and whipped till his back was welted and 
bloody, but he wouldn't confess. Then they tried hanging — and after 
two or three good chokings he owned up, and promised to show where 
the goods were concealed. They were found hid in a hazel thicket over 
toward the cemetery, with slabs of bark laid up to protect them from 
damage by rain, while waiting for a chance to haul them away. The 
pile amounted to three wagon loads, and was worth $5,000; and it is a 
marvel how two men could carry such a quantity of goods that distance 
in' one night, and that too without making a trail that would be plainly 
visible from the store right to the hiding place. But somehow they did 
it, for there was never any proof found that they had other accomplices. 
While these men lay in. jail awaiting trial, the tender-hearted women 
went and washed and bathed and salved French's well-deserved stripes. 
The lashing and hanging which lie got had accompHshed their purpose; 
and now it was right enough that he should be healingly cared for. But 
when these good ladies imagined they were enacting in real life the para- 



21*; HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

ble of the Good Samaritan, they jjjot slicrhtly "oil their base;" for in that 
case the man "went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among 
thieves." But in this case ///c ////(/'went down from Stillwell's store to 
the hazel bush all night, and finally fell among the "regulators." 

A good deal of that sickly sort of sentimentalism which is alwaj's pity- 
ing poor prisoners who happen to get caught and well punished, was 
developed in this case, until they almost made the man out a martyr 
instead of a felon. But the stead}', average common sense of the com- 
munity felt, if it did not say it, "served the rascal right. If more could be 
served the same way we'd have less stealing and devilment going on in 
the community." French broke jail and made good his escape at last; 
but his partner. Pierce, served his time out in the penitentiary. 

THE BOYD WILKINSON TRAGEDY. 

This was perhaps the most notable event of a sensational character that 
has ever transpired in Johnson county. In order to explain what the 
official records show concerning the trial of those accused of murdering 
Boyd Wilkinsotj, a few of the main facts which led to the final tragic 
drowning of Vv ilkinson must be stated. 

Philip Clark was the man who with Eli M3'ers, had made in ISoO, the 
first land claims ever made in Johnson county. 

April 17, 1850, Philip Clark gave a power of attorney to his brother-in- 
law, F. H. Lee, authorizing him to rent, lease, mortgage or sell certain 
specified lands, amounting in all to 74:2 acres. [See records, deed book 
No. 8, page 24-Ll Judge Lee's wife was a sister to Philip Clark. PhiHp 
then went to California, gold hunting. After a few years, his wife 
obtained a divorce on the ground of "desertion," she being then what was 
currently termed a "California widow." Her law^-er was W. Penn 
Clarke, a prominent republican, [see sketch of "Old John Brown in 
Iowa City"], and he, with her consent, and in connection with Philip 
Clark's attorney, attempted to convey title of this land to other parties, 
without securing any "consideration" to the real owner. [A good many 
dark suspicions do inevitably and legitimately arise right here, which Penn 
Clarke and Lee could never explain satisfactorily in court: hence all their 
convevances were ultimateh' nullified, and the land restored to Philip 
Clark"] 

In 1857 Philip Clark returned, and immediately commenced proceed- 
ings for the recover}' of his farm. To this end he built a cabin and sta- 
ble on the land and made his home there; '■'■ possession is nine points of the 
law," say the lawyers, and he thus took possession. A notorious bad 
character named Boyd Wilkinson, had a " possession " cabin on another 
part of the farm, holding it in the interest of the ex Mrs. Clark and par- 
ties to whom she and the two lawyers, W. Penn Clarke and F. H. Lee, 
purported to have sold it, but without compensation to Philip Clark. 

This Wilkinson w.as under indictment for grand larceny, having stolen 



HISTORY OK JOHNSON COUNTV. 217 

some rolls of carpeting from the Park House, but was out on bail till June 
session of court. W. Penn Clarke, as attorney for the divorced woman 
and those to whom she had sold the land, wanted to oust Philip Clark 
from his actual " possession " of the land which ga\e him a good deal of 
advantage in the lawsuits he had instituted for recovery of his title. From 
all the circumstances it would seem that Wilkinson was employed to so 
pester, annoy and injure old Philip as to scare or drive liim off from that 
land. One night Wilkitison and two others attacked Mr. Clark on his 
road home, beating and bruising him severely. He had Wilkinson arrested 
for this outrage, fined, and put under bonds to keep the peace; but the 
lawyer, W. Penn Clarke, obtained his release. And shortly after, to-wit, 
on the night of May 10, 185S, Philip Clark's barn was burned down, and 
a pair of horses belonging to Wm. Canol were burned up in it. It was 
firmly believed by Philip and his friends that Wilkinson had done this, and 
on the 11th they went to Wilkinson's house in that state of fury and des- 
peration which men sometimes reach when sharp criminal lawyers suc- 
ceed in baffling the good intent of protective laws, until there is left no 
reasource of redress but the bad and dangerous lynch power. From 
Wilkinson's general bad character, his previous known crimes, and the 
circumstances under which he was living on Philip Clark's land, they had 
abundance of " mob-reason " to believe him guilty. They first tried to 
frighten him into a confession, but failed; then they tied his hands behind 
his back, boosted him into a hack and started off, most likely with the 
intention not of killing him outright, but of " playing hang " with him until 
he confessed; though in fact they went directly to the river bank, and 
may have intended to duck instead of choke. At any rate they were out 
on a lynching bee; they were terribly in earnest; and they meant to use 
him rough. There was no kid-glove delicacy in that crowd; they told 
him they were going to hang him, and he believed it. But instead, he was 
drowned, and those who had him in charge at the time, always claimed 
that he jumped from the hack of his own accord, to get away from them, 
and ran or jumped into the river. He was noted as a good swimmer, but 
his hands were tied, and he sunk at once. It might easily be, however, 
that in the intense excitement of the moment he forgot this, and thought 
if he jumped into the river he could swim across and get away from 
them. We think it quite probable that this was reall}' the fact; but 
whether it was or not, Wilkinson zaas droxuned. This occurred about two 
miles below the city, on May 11th, 1858. The body was not found until 
May 21st, ten days afterward. 

The body had drifted a mile and a half down from where he went in 
and was found about 10 o'clock in the forenoon, by John Quaintance first; 
he immediately called some others, who were also searching for it. The 
body was floating close to the shore. They got a long pole and twisted 
one end of it into the rope with which Wilkinson's hands were tied, and 



218 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTV. 

thus guided the floating corpse half a mile further down the river before 
they reached a suitable place to pull it out of the water, which was a little 
below the widow Walker's residence, and about four miles below Iowa 
City. 

Charles C. McGovern was the coroner; he summoned J. Norwood 
Clark, J. R. Hartsock and J. N. Seydel as a jury — and the inquest was 
held that afternoon. The witnesses sworn were: John Quaintance, who 
first found the body; Garrett D. Campbell, a cousin of the drowned man; 
John L. Gordon, Charles D. Smith and Alexander Beever, who were 
present when Wilkinson was taken from his house. 

A post mortem examination was made by Drs. J. C. Stone, John J. 
Sanders, Frederick Lloyd, J. H. Boucher, Henry Murray and E, W. 
Lake. Thev reported no marks of violence found; death solely from 
drowning. 

On May 12, an information was filed before Judge George W. McCleary, 
accusing of the crime of murder the following named persons: Thomas 
Casey, Michael Freeman, Frederick M. Irish, Henr}- Gray, Peter Con- 
boy, Alfred Curtis, James Kennedy, Philip Clark, Joseph Stutsman, Charles 
Dow, Samuel Shellad\% John O'Neil, William Canot, Charles Brown; 
John Mitchell, Daniel Marshall, William Clear, John McGuire, James 
Welsh, George W. Rawson, James Nolan. 

Of course there was intense excitement over the matter, the whole com- 
munity taking sides one way or the other, and considerably on the party 
lines of republican and democratic divisions of the time. Old Captain 
Irish, who was a prominent and representative democrat, had been sort of 
leader in the aflair, on behalf of his friend, Philip Clark; while W. Penn 
Clarke, a prominent republican, had been the smart lawyer and chief 
manipulator on the Wilkinson side of the contest about that seven hundred 
acres of land. [The land was ultimately restored to Philip Clark by 
decree of court.] The next day after Wilkinson's drowning, a counter 
mob in low^a City set out to hang Capt. Irish, and he was glad to go to jail 
for safety. He was aided in getting away from the mob by Jacob Ricord, 
who stood stoutly for law and order, and against any mob work. 

THE INDICTMENT. 

June 15, 1858, a true bill of indictment for murder was found against 
Frederick M. Irish, Peter Conboy, Charles Dow, Daniel Marshall, James 
Taylor, Michael Freeman, Philip Clark, Samuel Shellady, John McGuire, 
Patrick McCraith, Henry Gray, Alfred Curtis, Charles Brown, Geo. W. 
Rawson and Dennis Hogan. 

The grand jury which indicted the above men for the murder of Wil- 
kinson consisted of RoUa Johnson, Edwin A. Brown, John Mendenhall, 
John F. Hampson, James H. Gower, L. T. Reno, Robert Walker, 
Ambrose Campbell, Thomas Patton, S. A. Fulton, Cornelius Lancaster, 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 219 

Charles Cartwright, B. F. Dennis, Samuel J. Hess, and George F. 
Andrews. 

Rolla Johnson was foreman of the grand jury; and a list of forty-seven 
men is given as " material witnesses for the state." There were fifteen 
members of the grand jury, and fifteen men indicted— just a man apiece 
all around. 

The trial began August 12, 185S. Conboy, Curtis, Irish and Shellady 
asked for separate trials. Clark, Freeman, Marshall, Rawson, Dow, 
Brown, McGuire and Hogan were tried together, and acquitted. Gray, 
Taylor and McCraith ran away — the sheriff never found them. 

On February 5, 1859, Shellady was convicted ot murder in the second 
degree, and sentenced to the penitentiary for ten years. He was an old 
man, about eighty years of age. He was taken to Fort Madison; but 
Gov. Lowe pardoned him, unconditionally, on June 23, 1859. 

On January 12, 1859, Capt. Irish secured a change of venue to Scott 
county. He was tried there in May, 1859, before Judge John F. Dillon, 
and acquitted. 

On May 24, 1859, the cases against Conboy and Curtis were dismissed 
and they went free. 

If any person wishes to investigate this afiair further, they will find 
reading enough to last them a month at the county clerk's office, in orig- 
inal papers filed away, and also in books F and G of the court records^ 
But if you depend on the newspaper accounts, 3^ou'll get fooled. 

John P. Irish was a big bare-footed boy with the mob at the time Wil- 
kinson was drowned, and was also with his father in jail during his trial 
at Davenport. In after years, when John had become a prominent demo- 
cartic politician, these old matters of his boyhood days were raked up as 
dirt to throw at him; but it did not seem to have much effect, for he was 
elected to the legislature three times in spite of it — to-wit: in 1867-69-71. 

March 2, 1858, Wilkinson had been arrested by sheriff' Harrison; 
indicted March 9, by grand jury for grand larceny. Had stolen two rolls 
or eighty yards of carpeting, from the Park House, property of Samuel 
Workman and Richard L,. Tucker. " Material witnesses for the state," 
were Workman, Tucker, A.J. Casady, Henry Gray, Sam. H. Fairall. 

Some horse stealing also was charged to Wilkinson, but not proved; 
nevertheless it was commonly believed that he belonged to a regular gang 
of thieves. 



220 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

CHAPTER III.— PART 1. 



PUBLIC STRUCTURES. 

Court House and Jail— County Poor Farm— Complete List of County Bridges, 1876 to 
1881 — Early Roads and Ferries. 

FIRST COUNTY JAIL AND COURT HOUSfe CONTRACTS. 

The first records made in regard to a county jail occurred July 8, 1841. 
Jesse Berry and James Herron are allowed $12.50 for drafting a plan for 
the jail, and Berry is allowed an additional sum of ^15.00 for preparing 
the specifications and bond for the contractor, who was James Tremble. 
All of these bills were stipulated to be paid from sale of lots in the county 
seat. 

The above is the first mention that occurs any where in the records, 
with regard to a county jail, and we learn from old settlers that this 
first county building stood on Clinton street a little south of the present 
court house, the jail being built on the west side, corner of Clinton and 
Prentiss streets, and the temporary court house afterwards on the east 
side of the street. On October 9, 1841, it is recorded that $1,200 were 
allowed to James Tremble, in part payment on his contract for building 
the county jail, and the amount was to be made up by the clerk in fi-ac- 
tional orders, to be paid only out of funds accrumg from the sale of lots in 
the county seat. 

On April 8, 1842, Mr. Tremble was again allowed the sum of $358.00 
on his jail contract. 

At the same date it was ordered, that F. H. Lee, agent for the county 
of Johnson, be instructed and authorized to receive proposals, from this 
date until the second day of May next, for the erection of a court house 
on lot No. S, in block No. 8, in the county seat of said county. The 
house to be of brick, 56x28 ft., two stories, and to be finished according to the 
plan of said building in the hands of said agent. And that said agent be 
required to give notice of the receiving such proposals, in the newspapers 
of Iowa City, until the time of opening the same. The payment to the 
contractor will be from the proceeds of the sales of lots in said county 
seat after payment is made for the jail. The house must be completed 
by the first day of October, A. D., 1843. The contractor will be required 
to give bond with approved securit}-, for the faithful performance of his 
contract. 

On June IT, 1842, Mr. Tremble is allowed $500 on his contract to build 
the court house; and this is the first clue we get to the fact that the same 
man had the contract for both of the county buildings. On October 6, 
1842, he was again "allowed the sum of nine hundred dollars on his con- 
tract for erecting the temporary court house." 

Prior to the erection of these buildings, the county had rented various 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 221 

rooms and buildings, such as could be obtained when necessar}-, for court 
and jail purposes, and the use of county officers. 

April 13, 1848. Ordered, that James Tremble and John Mathews, his 
security, are hereby required to proceed immediately to complete the jail 
according to the contract by them entered into for that purpose, so that 
the same shall be completed before the next term of the district court of 
this county, otherwise legal steps will be taken to enforce the obligation of 
said contract. 

JAHv REPAIRS. 

On the first day of the October session (Oct. 3), 1818 : 

Three sealed proposals were received for repairing the jail and were 
opened on this day, when it appeared that the two lowest bids were a tie; 
whereupon the board notified the bidders who appeared at half past two 
o'clock, p. M., and the job was set up at public outcry, b}^ the sheriff, to be 
let to the lowest bidder, and being cried some time, Thomas Snyder bid 
two hundred and fifty dollars, the roof to be put on with pine shingles, 
and that being the lowest bid, the job was struck oft' to him.. 

The following items from county court proceedmgs of June 6, 1864, are 
of interest: 

The special committee on the material of the "old jail" reported that 
they had sold the same to C. H. Berryhill for sixty dollars. Report 
adopted. 

The special committee on sale of real estate in Iowa City, belonging to 
Johnson county, reported that they had sold the property known as the 
"jail lot," for one hundred and fifty dollars, to C. H. Berryhill, and on 
motion it was Reholved^ that the clerk of this board be authorized to exe- 
cute a deed to Chas H. Berryhill of lot number six (^6) in block number 
seven (7) county seat, upon payment of sum agreed upon. 

THE FIRST COUNTY "NECESSARY." 

"Despise not the day of small things," is a wise old saying; and future 
generations would not number us among faithful chroniclers if we should 
omit so important a small thing, as the following county order of Novem- 
ber 1, 1848— the first of its kind: 

Ordered, that Hiram Watts be authorized to erect and build a " Neces- 
sary," at or near the southeast corner of lot eight, block eight, of the 
county seat; the pit to be seven feet long, five feet wide and eight feet 
deep, the building to be eight feet by six, and seven feet high, shingle roof, 
weather-boarded, two rooms, two doors, two windows, one seat with two 
holes in each room. To have the same completed in a decent and work- 
manlike manner by the first Monday in January next, and if so completed 
this board will pay him thirty-five dollars in county orders at said January 
session. 

FIRST MOVE TOWARD THE PRESENT COURT HOUSE AND JAIL. 

Feb. 20, 18.56. " The subject of the erection of a new court house and 
jail for the county of Johnson, Iowa, being under consideiation; and the 
count}^ judge therefore being satisfied that there is great want of public 
buildings of the kind above named, therefore hereby 

Orders^ that an election be held in the county aforesaid, at the usual 
place of holding the same in the several townships in said county, to take 



222 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

the sense of the people of said county upon the questions, whether 
money shall be borrowed by said county to be expended in the erection 
and completion of a court house and jail, on the block of ground known 
as the court house square, in that part of Iowa City known as the county 
seat of said county; and also, whether that portion of the proceeds of the 
sales of swamp lands which may belong to said county, no t required to 
reclaim them, shall be applied toward the payment of the money so bor- 
rowed by said county; and also whether a tax shall be levied on the tax- 
able property of said county to pay the interest on said loan, together 
with the principal or any part of the deficiency there may be after the 
proceeds of said swamp lands shall be applied." 

The vote on the above propositions was taken April 7, 1856, and 
resulted as follows: 

Court House. Swamp Lands. 

Township. For. Against. For. Against. 

Iowa Citv 395 216 389 199 

Oxford..^ 5 33 5 33 

Jefferson . . , 18 3 22 3 

Union 1 36 1 36 

Newport 25 49 28 48 

Pleasant Valley 12 77 13 76 

Cedar 2 36 2 34 

Monroe 9 48 15 44 

Liberty 77 77 

Big Grove 25 39 26 37 

Clear Creek 46 46 

Washington 17 56 17 55 

Penn 15 68 15 68 

Scott 22 30 24 29 

Total 546 814 557 785 

INSURANCE ON COURT HOUSE. 

Jan. 13, 1875, Supervisor Nelson reported as follows: 
To the board of stipervisors of Johnson county^ Iowa: — 

Gentlemen: In accordance with the instructions of the board, I have 
placed $30,000 insurance on the court house, at a cost oi 1}( per cent., as 
follows: 

Home, of New York $ 5,000 

.Etna, of Hartford 3,000 

Royal, of England 3,000 

Fireman's Fund, of Cal 1,000 

Ins. Co. North America, of Phil 3,000 

Continental, of New York 5,000 

Niagara, of New York 2,500 

Phoenix, of New York 2,500 

St. Paul, of Minnesota 2,500 

American Central, of St. Louis, 2,500 

RespectfuUv submitted, 

G. W. Nelson. 

The first man regularly appointed as overseer of the poor was Andrew 
D. Stephen, Oct. 9, 1841 ; but of course many pauper bills had been paid 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 225 

prior to this. At this time the office of overseer was made, specifying its 
duties, and Mr. Stephen appointed to fill it. 

VOTE TO ESTABLISH A COUNTY POOR FARM. 

The subject of the erection and establishment of a poor-house. and the 
purchase of a tract of land for the county, on which to erect said poor- 
house, being under consideration, and the judge of the county court of 
Johnson county deeming said measure advisable, it is hereby 

Ordered^ That a tract of land for a poor-farm, not less than 160 acres, 
nor more than 3?0, be purchased, and a suitable building and improve- 
ments be erected thereon, for the poor within said county, not to exceed 
in the whole a cost of rive thousand dollars; provided the same shall be 
approved by a vote of the people of the county, at the April election, 
1855. F. H. Lee, ytidge County Court. 

February 24, 1855. 

The vote was taken on the second day of April, and resulted as follows: 

For Poor Against For Poor Against 

Towuship. House. Poor House. Township. House. Poor House. 

Iowa City 527 16 Liberty 2 47 

Big Grove 63 19 Pleasant Valley... 46 9 

Cedar 32 2 Scott 7 18 

Jefierson 30 1 Newport 71 2 

Monroe 4 6 

Penn 62 2 Total 987 146 

Clear Creek 53 

Washington ^ii^ 8 Majority for poor house . . 841 

Union 24 16 

COUNTY POOR FARM REPORT. 

From county board proceedings of January 9, 1875, the following is of 
permanent interest and value as showing how well the institution was 
administered for one year at least: 

Supervisor Spurrier, chairman of committee on poor and poor-house for 
1874, submitted the following report, which was adopted: 

To the Board of Su-pcrv/'sors : 
Gents: — Your committee on poor would make the following report: 

There has been expended for permanent improvements $ 175.15 

For farm implements and household furniture 132.20 

For clothing and bedding 224.66 

For groceries 398.86 

For contingent expenses 88.85 

For outdoor help : 140.00 



Total $1,367.62 

There has been produce sold for cash to the amount of" $ 047.27 

There has been raised 2,200 bushels of corn, at 45 cents 1M>0.00 

There has been raised 35 tons of hay, at $10 350.00 

There has been raised 316 bushels of wheat, at 70 cents 221.20 

There has been raised 290 bushels of oats, at 48 cents 139.20 



224 HISTORY OF JOHNSON. COUNTY. 

There has been raised 200 bu. potatoes @ 40c 80.00 

There has been raised 600 heads cabbage @ 5c 30.00 

There has been raised various other products 40.02 

Increase in horses, 1 25.00 

Increase in cattle, 8 @ $7 • • 56.00 

Increase in hogs, 50 @ $5 250.00 

Total $3,128.78 

There were at the beginning of the year 18 inmates. There have been 
received during the year, II. Discharged 14. Leaving now in the house, 
15. There has been an average attendance of a Httle over 15^. There 
have three deaths occurred; the general health, considering the age, has 
been good. The present steward and matrons have not abated (since our 
last report) any in their zeal, fidehty or succefs; we would heartily recom- 
mend their retention in their present position, and in view of their meager 
allowance in comparison with their toil and grave responsibility, would 
recommend a further allowance for the past year's services of $100. All 
of which is respectfuUv submitted. 

Samuel Spurrier, 
Thos. Combe. 

The next day the board made the following order for an insane hospital. 

On motion, ordered that the committee on poor-house be instructed to 
either construct a new building or remodel rooms in the poor-house, as in 
their discretion may seem best, for the purpose of providing suitable 
accommodations for the insane of this county, not admissable to the 
insane hospital of the State, said improvement to be completed as soon as 
possible. 

complete record of county bridges. 

It is claimed for Johnson county that she is the best bridged county in the 
State. The location, kind and cost of these bridges is a matter of per- 
manent interest and importance to the people who use and pay for them: 

REPORT OF BRIDGE COMMITTEE FOR 1876. 

Length Location of Bridge. Cost. 

of span. 

40 ft. Long's patent combination bridge on Burlington road in 

Pleasant Valley twp., including iron piling $481.05 

Riprap for the same 145.20 

40 ft. Long's patent combination bridge over Snyder creek on 
line between Scott and Lucas twps., including iron pil- 
ing 565.00 

Crossing over branch near same 74.20 

Grading approach to satne 65.00 

40 ft. Long's P. C. bridge over Soufal creek, Jetlerson twp. . . 340.00 

40 ft. Long's P. C. bridge over Justice creek in Monroe twp. 340.00 

Stone abutments, bend quarries for No's 3 and 4 1,987.67 

Riprap and approach to No's 3 and 4 219.83 

Eleven Long's patent combination as follows: 

36 ft. Bridge over Knapp creek, Monroe twp 

44 ft. " " " Bf rry Branch, Oxford " 

80 ft. " " Old Man's creek, Liberty twp 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 225 

4-t ft. Bridge over Stream, Fremont twp 

40 ft. " " Wapsie, Scott twp 

36 ft. " " Jones creek, Graham twp 

40 ft. " " Mill creek, Cedar twp 

36 ft. " " Single creek, Big Grove twp 

30 ft. " " Spring Run, Madison twp 

36 ft. " " Near Dalton's, Lucas twp 

40 ft. " " Brierton road, Hardin twp 

Including the foundations for seven of the foregoing. . . . 4,000.00 
Stone abutments, Iowa City quarries, for Berry Branch 

bridge, Oxford 1,104.48 

Riprap and grading approach to same 152.50 

Abutments, Iowa City quarries, for Dalton bridge 371.55 

Temporary crossing here 12.45 

Stone abutments, bend quarries, for bridge over Spring 

Run 532.95 

Stone culvert near Phil, Clark's, Newport twp 83.00 

Bridge on Saxton road, Hardin twp 193.50 

Grading approaches to new bridges 327.50 

Repairing old bridges and approaches 224.90 

Bridge timber, lumber and sundry minor repairs 119.97 

300. Stone abutments, pier, foundations and ripraps for bridge 
across Iowa river, Iowa City, one-half payments as per 

contract 3,186.63 

Wrought iron bridge company. Canton, Ohio, for Iowa 

river bridge, one-half as per contract 3,900.00 

Total $18,427.38 

By the above report it will be seen that it has been necessary to carry 
over deferred payments in the sum of $7,086.63, provided for in the con- 
tracts, and made payable in March next. 

Our estimates for the ensuing year are: 

Cash in hand $ 1,463.31 

Taxes for 1876 now being collected 18,507.01 

Bridge fund for 1877 $19,970.32 

Deduct deferred payments to be made 7,086.63 

Balance for bridges for 1877 $12,883.69 

Respectfully submitted, 
J. A. Stephenson, J. H. Clark, 

Thomas Combe, Henry Sullivan, 

G. W. Nelson, 

Committee on Highways and Bridges. 

FRIDGE BUILDING AND EXPENSES. — 1877. 

Cost. 

50 ft. span, on county line, Oxford, half, pile foundation $200 00 

40 " " Washington, " " " 200 00 

60 " Liberty township, pile foundation 480 00 

36 " Scott " " " 246 00 

30 « Newport " « " 220 80 



226 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 



36 ft. 


span, 


30 


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18 


li 


18 


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40 


il 


46 


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30 


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Big Grove twp., 

Big Grove " 

Cedar 

Lucas " 

Union " 

Union " 

Fremont " 

Pleas. Val. " 

iMadison " 

Scott 

Clear Ck. 

Penn 

Lincoln 

Monroe 

Monroe 

Clear Ck. 

Clear Ck. 

Wash'n 

Wash'n 

Oxford 

Oxford 



pile 

a 

Stone 
pile 



iron 
stone, N 
pile 



stone, N. B 
pile 



foundation 264 96 

220 80 

138 48 

132 48 

294 40 

338 56 

220 30 

294 30 

220 80 

294 45 

ISO 00 

294 40 

264 96 

338 56 

[countv line] 368 00 

... /. 216 00 

441 60 

294 40 

368 00 

264 96 

294 40 



B. 



The contracts heretofore required three piles for each foundation, giving 
one central support to the planking for the earth till; this was found to be 
insufficient; the committee, therefore, ordered two extra piles for each 
bridge at a cost of $165.60 

STONE WORK. 

Abutments, Foster Creek, Lucas twp., blue stone, including 

riprap , $ 691 50 

Abutments at Wolf's, Clear Creek, North Bend stone 705 43 

Abutments at Watson's, Clear Creek, North Bend stone. . . . 782 73 

Abutments at Tiffin, Clear Creek, North Bend stone 1,102 95 

Iron pile, Scott township 80 00 

Raising pier of Free Bridge, North Bend stone 275 00 

Riprap, sundry bridges 166 00 

Macadam to approach to new iron bridge 121 62 

Grading approaches and ditching 517 4ii 

Lumber, material and repairs to old bridges 531 14 

Road change, Monroe township 40 00 

Committee work, expenses and supervising work 405 65 

Driving piles at Oxford 20 00 

Balance payment on new Canton bridge 8,256 10 

The bridges built during the year are ' Long's Patent,' except 
the two ' strain beam ' specified 

Total cost of work completed 20,966 24 

Total amount paid 19,607 46 



Balance due 



1,358 78 



There are now in this county fifteen wrought iron bridges, three of 
which span the Iowa river, and fifty-two of Long's Patent Combination, 
making a total of sixty-seven first class, durable bridges, upon which in 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 



227 



five years past there has been expended for repairs less than $100, nor 
has the county lost one by defect or high water. 

REPORT OF BRIDGE COMMITTEE FOR 187S. — BRIDGES BUILT. 



Townships. Length. Foundation 

Washington. .40 feet pile. 

Hardin 30 " pile. 

Lucas 36 " stone. 

Hardin 30 " pile. 

Hardin 40 " pile. 

Fremont 60 " iron. 

Lincoln 46 " pile. 

Scott 30 " pile. 

Pleasant Val'y 30 " pile. 

Madison 36 " pile. 

Madison 30 " pile. 

Hardin 50 " pile. 

Hardin 36 " pile. 

Union 30 " pile. 

Monroe 30 '• -pile. 

Jefferson .... 36 " pile. 

Monroe 60 " iron. 

Penn 36 " stone. 

Clear Creek . . 30 " pile. 

Oxford 60 " pile. 

Sharon 30 " pile. 

Liberty 30 " pile. 

Union 80 " stone. 

Union 50 " pile. 

Newport 50 " pile. 

Clear Creek. .30 " pile. 

Clear Creek . . 30 " pile. 

Graham 50 " pile. 

Big Grove . . . 36 " pile. 

Big Grove . . .40 " pile. 

Big Grove ... 36 " pile. 

Liberty 30 " pile. 

Union 75 " pile. 

Union , . .34 " pile. 



Location. Cost. 

Deer Creek near Bender's, $320 

North Fork O. M. Creek 240 

Ralston Creek, near Irish's 268 

Branch O. M. Creek, near Seeny's. . 240 
Branch O. M. Creek, near Callagy's 320 

Buck Creek, near Raynor's 484 

Stream, near Heath's 368 

Stream, near Hinman's 240 

Stream, near Bales' 240 

Stream, near Bealer's 288 

Stream, near Anderson's 240 

North Fork O. M. Creek, nr Healy's 400 

Stream, near Flanney's 288 

Stream, near Hufman's 240 

Stream, near Carr's 240 

McAUister Creek, near Anderson's . . 288 

Knapp's Creek, near Wavera's 468 

Pardieu Creek, near Zeller's "AiyS 

Stream, near Bond's 240 

Clear Creek, near Barry's 480 

Stream, near Brenneman's 240 

Stream, near Gross' 240 

O. M. Creek, near Welch Church. . 620 

O. M. Creek, near Carson's 400 

Turke V Creek, near Plashel's 40(> 

Stream, near McCraith's 240 

Deer Creek, near Hogan's 240 

Rapid Creek, near Holland's 400 

Mill Creek, near Conklin's 288 

Lengle Creek, near Fuhrmeister's . . 320 
On line Johnson and Linn counties . . 288 

Old Channel, O. M. Creek 240 

O. M. Creek, at Kaufman's mill. ... 600 



Old Man's Creek, near Sehorn's. . . . 288 

Masonry— Abutments, Ralston creek bridge and riprap $ 686.50 

Masonrj' — Abutments, O. M. creek and riprap 1,690.75 

Masonry — Abutments, Pardieu creek bridge and riprap 566.26 

Masonry— North Bend stone coping on R. and O. M. Creeks. 106.00 
Iron — Eight iron columns, two iron pile caps, Buck creek bridge. 165.00 
Iron — Eight iron columns, two iron pile caps, Knapp creek bridge 165.00 



Cost of new work $14,343.51 

RIPRAP, GRADING, MATERIAL AND REPAfRS. 

Riprap stone w^ork built in prior $ 266.00 

Grading approaches to thirty-four 885.38 

Lumber and other material for repairs. . .' 84.05 

Repairs to Hamilton's bridge abutments 149.25 



228 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Repairs to Robert's ferry bridge abutments 82.00 

Temporary crossings 15.50 

Removing old Buck creek bridge 12.00 

Moving bridge, Monroe 25.00 

Extra piling in Hardin and Union 44.20 

Repairs on old bridge, Clear creek 29.75 

Repairs bridge, Oxford 14.31 

Sundry minor repairs ' 61.95 

Committee work to bridge account 21.00 



Total new work, repairs, etc $16,033.90 

Balance to E. J. C. Bealer on account of 1877 22.50 

Balance to Richard Long on account of 1877 1,358.78 



Total for 1878 17,415.81 

Less one-half cost of county line bridge to Linn county 164.00 

Net expenses to bridge fund, 1878 17,251.18 

At the close of 1877, there were, 'Permanent Bridges' 67 

There now are, 'Permanent Bridges' 101 

On stone abutments and piers 31 

On iron foundation 6 

On pile foundation 64 

There is due Long on contract 3,003.32 

Balance cash on hand 1,888.84 

Amount carried .over 1,114.48 

Iowa City, January 1, 1870. 

REPORT OF BRIDGE COMMITTEE. — 1879. 

To the Board of Sn-pcrvisors — Gentlemen: The committee on 
bridges and highways submit herewith their annual report, showing the 
amount of work done during the year 1879, and the cost of the same: 

Township. Length of span. Cost. 

Oxford 50 feet $375 

Oxford 60 feet 450 

Fremont 30 feet 675 

Pleasant Valley and Lucas 40 feet 300 

Pleasant Valley and Lucas , ... 30 feet 225 

Washington 50 feet 375 

Washington 30 feet 675 

Hardin 40 feet 300 

Hardin 50 feet 375 

Jefferson 30 feet 450 

Jefferson 36 feet 540 

Monroe 30 feet 225 

Monroe 40 feet 300 

Big Grove 30 feet 450 

Big Grove 40 feet 300 

Big Grove 50 feet 375 

Madison 30 feet 450 

Clear Creek 30 feet 225 

Penn 30 feet 205 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 229 

Cedar 30 feet 450 

Liberty 60 feet 450 

Union 40 feet 300 



Total $8,470 

These bridges are Long's Patent Combination, and were built by 
Richard Long, of Iowa City. 
There were also built: 

One "common strain beam bridge in Pleasant Valley \a^ lift oo 

One common strain beam bridge in Lucas j ^ 

Masonry and riprap 625.80 

Extra piling 28.65 

Iron abutments 750.00 

Grading 658.00 

Repairs and painting 897.09 

Expenses board charged to bridge 884.54 

Total new work and repairs $ 12,433.33 

Paid Long balance, 1878, account $ 2,997.32 

Total expenses to bridge fund $ 15.430.65 

The contracts are paid in full except a few claims included 

and uncalled for $ 15.91 



Due from bridge fund $ 15.91 

Balance cash on hand January 1, 1880 $ 1,723.30 

Of the bridges built during the year, five have iron, one stone, and 
twenty-five wood pile foundations. 

Bridges at the close of 1878 101 

Added in 1879 31 

On stone 32 

On iron 11 

REPORT OF BRIDGE COMMITTEE. — 1880. 

To the Hon, Board of Supervisors of Johnson County — Gentlemen: 

The committee on highwa3'^s and bridges herewith submit their annual 
report of the work under their supervision for the year 1880: 

BRIDGES BUILT. 

Length of Founda- 

Township. span. tion. Cost. 

Fremont 30 feet pile $ 240.00 

Lincoln 30 " " 240.00 

Pleasant Valley 30 " " 480.00 

Newport 16 " " 60.00 

E. Lucas CO " " 240.00 

Liberty 30 " " 480.00 

Liberty 40 " " 320.00 

15 



230 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Sharon 30 feet. . . .pile 465.00 

Washington 40 "...." 320.00 

Union 30 " .... " 450.00 

Union 70 "....iron 700.00 

Clear Creek 40 " .... pile 300.00 

Clear Creek 30 " .... " 225.00 

Clear Creek Arch. . . .stone 989.60 

Madison 30 feet pile 450.00 

Monroe 30 " .... " 450.00 

Jefferson 30 '^ .... " 675.00 

Big Grove 36 " .... " 270.00 

Big Grove 50 " .... " 375.00 

Oxford 30 " .... " 225.00 

Graham 30 « .... " 225.00 

E.Lucas 30 "...stone 300.00 

Cedar : 30 " pile 900.00 



Total $9,379.60 

Of the above bridges twenty-nine are Long's patent combination arch 
and were built by Richard Long, of Iowa City. Two are iron bridges, 
"Whipple type," one combination truss bridge and were built by Geo. T. 
Baker. One stone arch, and one common wooden bridge. 

Abutments $ 490.00 

Repairs and extra piling 322.89 

Grading 711.40 

Riprap 150.50 

Expenses board of supervisors charged to bridge 863.73 

Total new work and repairs $11,918.12 

The contracts are paid in full except a few claims included and uncalled 
for, as follows: 

Due from bridge fund $ 40.43 

Balance cash on hand Jan. 1, 1881 $1,217.04 

Of the bridges built during the year two have stone, one iron, and thir- 
ty-two wood pile foundation. 

Bridges at the close of the year 1879 132 

Added 188^* - 34 

Total No. bridges 166 

On iron foundation 12 

" stone " 34 

" pile " 120 

Respectfully submitted, 
Jan. 1, 1881. James B. Strong, Chairman Bridge Com. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 



231 



REPORT OF BRIDGE COMMITTE — 1881. 

To the honorable Board of Supervisors of Johnson county : 

Gentlemen: The committee on highways and bridges, herewith sub- 
mit their annual report of the work done under their supervision during 

the year 1881. 

Length of 
Township. spaa. 

Union 50 feet 

« 30 

'• 70 

« 40 

Oxford 40 

30 

36 

Lucas 30 

« 30 

" 20 

Clear Creek 30 

Scott 30 

On county line between Cedar 

and Johnson counties 30 

Graham 30 

20 

Newport 30 

16 

Lincoln 30 

36 

On line between Lincoln and 

Fremont townships 30 

Fremont 30 

30 

On the line dividing Muscatine 

and Johnson counties 30 

Sharon .30 

Pleasant Valley 30 

Washington 40 

30 

Hardin 30 

36 

Madison 60 

Penn 16 

Monroe 36 

Jefferson 30 

Liberty 30 

Big Grove 36 

" 18 

$10,013.10 

Of the above bridges, twenty-six are Long's patent combination arch, 
and two common wooden bridges, and were built by R. Long, of Iowa 
City. Fifteen are Jayne's patent combination arch, and two common 
wooden bridges, built" by Jno. E. Jaynes, of Iowa City. Also one com- 
mon wooden bridge, built by W. A. Palmer, of Solon, Iowa. 



)f Founda- 




tion. 


Cost. 


....Pile 


..$ 345.00 


(C 


205.50 


C( 


479.00 


u 


280.00 


(( 


280.00 


(C 


205.50 


(C 


246.60 


(( 


.. 616.50 


.... stone 


205.50 


. . . . pile 


90.00 


(( 


411.00 


(C 


205.00 


(( 


205.50 


(( 


205.50 


(( 


105.00 


(.<. 


205.50 


(( 


95.00 


e< 


205.50 


(( 


252.00 


(« 


205.50 


(( 


205.50 


(( 


205.50 


(( 


205.50 


(( 


411.00 


c 


616.50 


u 


554.50 


(( 


205.50 


u 


411.00 


(( 


252.00 


cc 


411.00 


<c 


90.00 


(( 


252.00 


u 


411.00 


(( 


411.00 


(( 


252.00 


(( 


70.00 



232 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Appropriation to Iowa City for bridges $ JrOO.OO 

Care of Iowa river bridge at Iowa City 68.00 

Abutments 997.25 

Repairs, material and extra pilings 1,768.48 

Grading 1,240.70 

Riprap 353.43 

Expenses board of supervisors charged to bridge . . . 886.79 

Total new work and repairs $15,727.75 

The contracts are paid in full, except a few claims included and uncalled 
for as follows: 

Due from bridge fund $ 74.18 

Balance cash on hand January 1, 1882 177.20 

Of the bridges built during the year, one has stone foundation and forty- 
five have wood pile foundation. 

Bridges at the close of the year 1880 166 

Added, 1881 46 

Total number bridges 212 

On iron foundation 12 

On stone " 35 

On pile " 165. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Bruce Patterson, 
Chairman Bridge Committee. 

THE IOWA city BRIDGE. 

Sept. 7, 1864. The undersigned bridge committee, to whom was 
referred the matter of the free bridge across the river at Iowa City, 
report: 

1st. That said bridge has been completed and accepted. 

2d. The cost was as follows: 

Building new span '. $4,290.00 

Repairing old bridge as per contract 1,200.00 

Extra work and material not in contract 162.06 

Lumber furnished by Close & Gant 78.00 

Boomer for right 250.00 

Interest o.i sums borrowed, and stamps 250.21 

Total $6,230.27 

Which was paid as follows: 

Note to state bank, due Oct. 18, 1864, for $5,972,42 

Proceeds of old material 257.85 

Total $6,230.27 

Contract and vouchers are respectfully submitted. 

[Signed.] John P. Huskins, \ Committee. 

Samuel H. Fair all, 



HISTORY OP' JOHNSON COUNTY. 233 

EARLY ROADS AND FERRIES. 

The first ferry that was ever started in Johnson county, was by Ben- 
jamin Miller, in the winter of 1838-39, and was located just below the old 
mouth of Ralston creek, and a little below where the B., C. R. and N. 
R. R. now crosses the Iowa river. It was just at or near the upper edge 
of the old Napoleon town site. 

The first record of a ferry license issued- by the county board is of date 
March 6, 1840, to Sturgis & Douglas — license to keep a ferry for one 
year, at the place on the Iowa river, known as Sturgis' ferry. They were 
charged '"five dollars for the license, and the following was fixed as the 
toll rates for all ferries in Johnson county: 

For a footman 12^ cents 

One horse and wagon 37^ 

One yoke of oxen and wagon 50 

One span of horses and wagon 50 

One horse and man 25 

Each additional horse or yoke of oxen 12^ 

Each head of neat cattle in droves 6^ 

Sheep and hogs per head 3 

At the same date license was issued for "Andrew D. Stephen and 
others" (the old original record says "& Co.") to keep a ferry where the 
National road crossed the Iowa river; and they were charged fifteen dol- 
lars license fee — just three times as much as the Sturgis' ferry. That was 
the main line of travel in this region at that time. But this Stephen 
license was revoked October 13, 1840, because, as the record states, "the 
said A. D. Stephen having neglected an unreasonable time to erect the 
same." And the fifteen dollars license fee received was paid back to 
Stephen. 

The next ferry license was issued October 12, 1840, to F. A. A. Cobbs, 
for a ferry at Napoleon, the one first started by Benj. Miller. He was 
required to pay ten dollars per year, and give a bond for two hundred 
dollars with free-hold security. This was the first bonded ferry license; 
and the bill of toll rates which had been ordered in March for the whole 
county was now changed for this ferry in the following particulars : 
Footman, 6^ cents, instead of Vlh,. 
Man and horse, 12^ cents, instead of 25. 
Horse and carriage, 25 cents, instead of 37^. 
Two horses or oxen and wagon, 37^ cents, instead of 50. 
Each additional horse, GJ cents instead of 12-|^. 

The younger readers of this history will wonder how change was made 
for one-half cents, and one-fourth cents in paying the above ferriage rates. 
And it is proper here to explain that in those days the silver coin used in 
the United States was mostly of Spanish or Mexican product; and they 
furnished a 12^ cent piece, which was called by various names in different 
parts of the country, such as "bit," "levy," " 'levenpence," "shilling," etc.; 



234 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

while the 6^ cent piece was called "fip," "fippenn3'-bit," "six-pence," 
"picayune," etc. This was before the days of "dimes" and "nickels." 
There was also occasionally a copper half-cent coin met with, but they 
never got into common use. One cent pieces, or "coppers" as they were 
called, were common; and very often in making change one party or the 
other had lo give ofl the half cent. 

The first ferry license at Iowa City was issued October 13, 1840, to 
John Abel, who was to pay fifteen dollars per year. The toll rates were 
fixed the same as at Napoleon, but there is no mention of any bond in the 
case. 

But it appears that Mr. Abel relinquished this ferry the next year, and 
on Oct. 4, 1841, a license was granted to Pleasant Arthur to keep a ferry 
at the same place. The license fee was raised to twenty -five dollars, and 
this was paid by Dr. Ballard, on October 8th. 

FIRST COUNTY ROAD. 

The first mention that appears of record in regard to any road, is of 
date, May 15, 1839, where the "court orders that Samuel H. McCrory 
be appointed as a commissioner on the part of the county, to locate a ter- 
ritorial road leading from opposite Oquawka, Illinois, to Napoleon." 

The next road item recorded is of date January 1, 1840, when the fol- 
lowing appears: 

"Ordered, that John Gilliland be allowed ten dollars and fifty cents for 
services as surveyor on the territorial road from Oquawka to Napoleon." 
At the same time, Jacob S. Rinearson and Daniel Brewer were allowed 
nine dollars each for services rendered the county as road commissioners. 
The record does not show that McCrory ever acted on his appointment. 

The next is March 6, 1840, when a petition was presented for a county 
road running northwesterly from Iowa City ten miles after crossing 
Clear creek. John Eagan, Warren Stiles and Jonathan Harris were 
appointed to locate this road; and this was in fact, Road Order No. /, of 
all that have ever been issued in Johnson county. 

The next road record occurs July 4, 1840, and pertains to the Johnson 
county part of the road from Iowa City to Burlington, on which Michael 
Ritner was the surveyor, and J. Larton and Luke Douglas the road com- 
missioners. Any roads prior to these were either the old Indian trails or 
the hap-hazard ox wagon tracks, wherever they could find a dry and level 
passage across the prairies. And any work done toward fixing a way 
to cross any brook, ravine, or creek, was a private matter, and no thanks 
lo the county. 

After this, road matters crowd on rapidly. It appears that Johnson 
county joined interest with the Bloomington people, to make a good 
wagon road between the two points, for on October 13, 1840, the county 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 235 

board paid sundry claims for work on a new road from Bloomington 
[Muscatine] to the west line of Washint^ton county, as follows: 

Name. Amount paid. Service rendered. 

Cyrus Cox $1 50 commissioner. 

A. H. Haskell 1 50 commissioner. 

I. B. Davis 2 50 surveyor. 

Isaac Reeder 1 25 chainbearer. 

Cyrus Cox again 1 25 chainbearer. 

Samuel Cooper 3 50 self, oxen and wagon. 

The same day a lot of claims were allowed for services to the county in 
locating "the road from Bloomington to Iowa City;" and this is the Jirsi 
mention in the records of Iowa City in connection with any road. The 
claims in this case were: 

iSame. Am't. Service. 

T. L. A. Boalsby $ 3 75 chain carrier. 

William A. Bagley 3 75 axman. 

J. G. Lane 7 50 with team. 

William Grear 5 00 . .chain carrier and preparing 

stakes. 

Robert Stuart 7 50 surveyor. 

Samuel H. McCrory 16 00 commissioner. 

On the same day bills were allowed for services on the road from 
Wyoming to Iowa City, as follows: 

John Sherfy 17 50. . .commissioner and surveyor. 

John Hesser 8 25 commissioner. 

John G. Lane 1 25 with team. 

A. Bagley 62^ marking out the road. 

William Grear 62^ chain carrier. 

William B. Snyder 13 50 with team, etc. 

FIRST ROAD PLAT. 

The tirst plat, map or diagram of a road that was recorded and pre- 
served was made by William McCormick, surveyor, of a road from Iowa 
City, which kept on the east and north side of the river, to the west line of 
the county. The road was located by James Cavanagh, John Eagan and 
C. S. Foster, February 18, 1841. On this plat Rapid creek is marked 
Rabid creek. 

In connection with these first county roads comes up the case of the old 
National or Military road between Iowa City and Dubuque. The " old 
settlers " of Johnson county differed among themselves somewhat in 
regard to it; but there was no records or official source within our reach, 
so we wrote to Hon. Edward Langworthy, of Dubuque, for a sketch of 
his recollections in regard to it, as he was one of the contractors who built 
it, and received the following reply from the aged veteran: 

MR. LANGWORTHY's LETTER. 

Dubuque, Aug. 3, 1882. 
H. A. Reid, Esq., — Dear Sir: In replying to yours of July 31, I have 
taken a part of my seventy-fourth birthday for that purpose, as it calls to 



236 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

my mind the very many pleasant days I have spent in vour beautiful Iowa 
City and the many acts of kindness I have received from the citizens of 
that place. In its darkest days it was in my power to render your town 
some service in hastening the construction of the capitol when almost a 
majority of the territorial legislature were determined on stopping its pro- 
gress; and I received a very cordial invitation to partake of a public din- 
ner there — which my duties compelled me to decline. But I told them I 
would spend an evening with them on my return trip home — and a happy 
evening it was to me, as the whole city met me with kindly greeting and 
very complimentary addresses. I also had the pleasure of a residence, or 
stay, in your city, as a member of the first constitutional convention; but 
we made the state too large (northerly) to suit our southern friends, and 
it failed before the people. But my stay there was made very pleasant 
by my old-time friends. 

Regarding the military road from Dubuque to Iowa City, I can give 
you some information. My brothers, James L. and Lucius H., and 
myself had the contract to make the road from Dubuque to the Cedar 
river, and at the risk of taking something from the romance of the late 
publications, I will give the facts according to my present recollection of 
them. There was an appropriation for that object and it was placed 
in charge of a Mr. Tighlman, a U. S. engineer, who made a thorough 
surve}^ of the whole route and let the contracts, after which he directed 
Mr. Lyman Dillon, of Cascade, to plow a furrow on one side the whole 
length of the road, which he did under the personal superintendence of 
the engineer, as a guide to the contractors. 

The road was sub-let by us in small sections from here to Cascade, and 
the balance was done by my oldest brother, James, who had a large force 
of men and teams all the season at work on the road, and completed the 
same to the entire satisfaction of the engineer. I remember driving my 
carriage with some eastern friends on that road to Iowa City while the 
work was progressing, and after looking over the city and its surround- 
ings we returned one afternoon and camped with my brother James and 
his men on the east end of the renowned Linn Grove, and reached 
Dubuque next day by earl}^ moonlight. In those early days the counties 
of Johnson and Linn were intimately connected with Dubuque in all their 
business relations ; it was here they sold their pork and produce, and here 
they found moneyed men to enter their land for them at twenty per cent, 
interest, and here they found their political friends who, joined with the 
people of Lee and other southern counties, located the capitol in Iowa 
City as against the united voice of Burlington, Fairfield and the balance 
of then Central Iowa; and when removed it was west — not south. 

I am, dear sir, yours, 

Edward Langworthy. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 28' 

CHAPTER III.— PART 2. 



Railroad Bond Votes — Frauds— Swindles— Lawsuits— Big Taxes to Pay— Etc., Etc. 

The original records of the Davenport and Iowa City Railroad Com- 
pany are before us, of which the Secretar}-, H. W. Lathrop, of Iowa 
City, writes: 

This was the first railroad compan}^ organized in the State, (Oct. 14, 
1850,) and although it has ceased to exist, the Mississippi & Missouri 
Company, phoenix-like, has risen from its ashes. The stock subscribed 
never amounted to more than $15,000, and only sufficient was paid in to 
procure a survey of the route from Davenport to Iowa City, and a publi- 
cation of the engineer's report and accompanving diagram. 

At the last meeting of the Board of Directors, the record of which was 
lost, a transfer of all the rights, privileges, benefits, franchises, etc., etc., in 
the possession of the company, was made to the Mississippi & Missouri 
R. R. Co. The meeting was held late in the afternoon, and at its close, 
Dr. Henry Murray was dispatched immediately to Davenport with a 
transcript of the proceedings, that he might lay it before the directors of 
the latter company at a meeting to be held in that place the next day. 
Traveling on horseback most of the night, he reached Davenport in time 
to lay before the directors at the commencement of their meeting the pro 
ceedings in relation to the transfer. The grant was accepted and the 
conditions complied with by making Iowa City a point on the M. & M. 
road. 

We next present all the votes ever given in the county to aid railroads 
by bonds, tax levies, land grants, etc. 

TAX VOTED FOR THE LYONS I. C. R. R. 

In June 1853, the people voted on a proposition to aid this railroad enter- 
prise, the main features of the proposition as voted upon being as follows : 

That the county of Johnson will aid in the construction of the Lyons' 
Iowa Central Railroad within the limits of said county, in case Iowa City 
be made a point in said road, by subscribing fifty thousand dollars stock; 
that county bonds shall be issued therefor bearing interest, and payable 
within twenty years; that an annual tax of three mills on the dollar be 
levied for the payment of the interest annually on said bonds; that after 
ten years the race of tax for such purpose be increased to an amount not 
exceeding one per cent on the taxable property within the count}^ for the 
purpose of paying off said bonds and interest thereon, to be continued 
until said bonds and interest are all paid. 

The vote on this proposition, on June 16, 1853, is shown by the follow- 
ing returns: 



rri„ .,„„u5„„ For R. K . Asainst 

Townships. ry,^^ R.K.Tax 

Cedar 16 2 

Washington 22 1 

Penn 29 6 

Pleasant Valley... 16 10 

Monroe 11 2 

Scott 17 4 

Iowa City 231 



Townships. F-R.R. Again^s^t^ 

Liberty 30 6 

Newport 31 6 

Big Grove 39 7 

Union 11 2 

Total 453 46 

Majority for railroad tax, 407. 



238 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

VOTE ON THE M. & M. R. R. TAX. — AUGUST, 1853. 

The main features of the proposition in this case were as follows: 

That the county of Johnson will aid in the construction of the Missis- 
sippi and Missouri railroad, within the limits- of said county, in case Iowa 
City be made a point in said road, by subscribing fifty thousand dollars 
stock ; that county bonds shall be issued therefor, bearing interest, and 
payable within twenty years; that an annual tax of three mills on the 
dollar be levied for the payment of the interest annually on said bonds; 
that after ten years the rate of tax for such purposes be increased to an 
amount not exceeding one per cent on the taxable property within the 
county, for the purpose of paying off said bonds and interest thereon, to 
be continued until said bonds and interest are all paid. 

The following shows the vote of each township, August 6, 1853: 

TownshiD For the Rail- Against the U. ,j, . . 

iownsnip. roadaudTax. R. and Tax. ^°^°^- 

Iowa City 371 1 372 

Big Grove 52 23 75 

Washington 47 2 49 

Penn 38 . . 38 

Pleasant Valley 31 5 36 

Liberty 20 6 26 

Newport 55 1 56 

Clear Creek 28 .. 28 

Scott 32 .. 32 

Union 15 2 17 

Cedar 16 9 25 

Monroe 5 38 43 

Total 710 87 797 

Majority for the railroad and tax, 623. 

On September 1 the $50,000 of county bonds were issued, and 
" placed in the hands of Ebenezer Cook, of the city of Davenport, Iowa, (of 
the banking firms of Cook & Sargent, at Davenport, and Cook, Sargent 
& Downey, at Iowa City,) to be by him negotiated in the city of New 
York, upon the best possible terms, for the said county of Johnson, for the 
payment of said stock." 

$225,000 RAILROAD BONDS VOTED. 

On April 6, 1857, a vote was taken on two railroad bond propositions, 
at the same time. One was to subscribe one hundred and seventy-five 
thousand dollars ($175,000) to the capital stock of the " Iowa Union Rail- 
road Company," in the name and by the authority of Johnson county; and 
the other was to subscribe fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) to " the Great 
Western Railroad Company, or to such other company as shall first suc- 
ceed in constructing a continuous line oi railroad from the Mississippi 
river, via Devvitt, in Clinton county, and Tipton in Cedar county, to the 
east line of Johnson county, and make Iowa City a point in the continua- 
tion of such road." 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 23D 

The result of this vote was as follows: 

™ ,. Union Railroad. G. W. Railroad, 

lownsnip. p^jj. Against. For. Against. 

Iowa City 840 19 830 17 

Cedar • 8 48 8 48 

Big Grove 6 83 3 85 

Jefferson 18 16 2 26 

Monroe 10 52 12 49 

Clear Creek 2 45 1 45 

Penn 25 88 28 84 

Newport 19 18 25 14 

Graham 7 23 26 17 

Scott 17 43 19 41 

Union 1 52 1 52 

Washington 1 115 3 103 

Liberty 6 90 3 90 

Pleasant Valley 41 6 30 8 

Fremont 47 6 6 12 

Total 1048 704 997 691 

IOWA CITY RAILROADS IN 1857. 

To show the glowing prospective of railroad matters in 1857, we copy 
from the City Directory, published in that year for the first time, the fol- 
lowing items: 

There are two railroads in contemplation, that, if completed, make the 
future prospects of Iowa City truly encouraging. 

The first is the Great Western Railroad, running from Camanche, 
on the Mississippi river, in Clinton county, by the way of Tipton, in Cedar 
county, to Iowa City. The company was incorporated and permanently 
organized, by the election of the following officers: President and Chief 
Engineer, Chas. B. Stuart, of New York City; Vice-President, S. J. 
Crew, of Tipton; Secretary, Geo. W. McCleary, of Iowa City; Assist- 
ant Secretaries, N. H. Parker, of Camanche, and J. B. Betts, of Tipton. 
The road is under contract, and whenever the weather permits the work 
progresses. 

The second is the Iowa Union Railroad. It has also been incorpo- 
rated and organized by the election of the following officers: President, 
Legrand Byington, of Iowa City; Vice-President, Geo. Greene, of Cedar 
Rapids; Treasurer, M. L. Morris, of Iowa City; Secretary, Geo. W. 
McCleary, of Iowa City; Executive Committee, Legrand Byington, 
ex-q^cio, ]ohn Clark, of Iowa City: D. H. Downey, of Iowa City. This 
road is to run north and south, through the State, intersecting the Keokuk 
road in the south, and the Dubuque road in the north, thus forming a 
link in the great chain extending from St. Paul, in Minnesota, to St. Louis, 
in Missouri. 

special appropriations. 

January 4, 1866, the county board appropriated $1,200 to aid the St. 
Louis and Cedar Rapids R. R. Co. in making a survey through Johnson 
county. On June 5, 1866, the board voted to transfer this $1,200 donation 
to the Iowa Northern Central R. R. Co., and at the same time they 



240 • HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

donated another sum of $1,300 for the same purpose, making $2,500 in 
all, to aid the I. N. C. Co. in making its surveys. 

THE IOWA UNION RAILROAD. 

Proceedings of a Railroad Meeting held at lozva City, Oct. /^, 1865. 

Hon. S. J. Kirkwood was elected chairman, and N. H. Brainerd and 
Jno. P. Irish secretaries. Report of St. Louis committee and correspond- 
ence was read for information of the meeting. On motion, the chair 
appointed a committee of five, consisting of Geo. Boal, W. B. Daniels, 
Cj'rus Sanders, Jesse Westenhaver and Jas. B. Edmonds, to draft resolu- 
tions expressing the sense of the meeting upon the matter under consid- 
eration. 

Mr. Byington moved the reference to that committee of the following 
resolutions: 

1. That a committee of five citizens of Johnson county be appointed 
and charged with the duty oi procuring such action of the Iowa Union 
R. R. Co. as will insure the building of a road from Cedar Rapids via 
Iowa City to Mt. Pleasant. 

2. That a committee of five citizens of Johnson county, be appointed, 
whose duty it shall be to consult with the directors of the Chicago, Iowa 
& Nebraska Railroad Company, and ascertain to what extent and upon 
what terms said company will aid in building a railroad from Cedar Rapids 
to Iowa City. 

3. That a like committee be appointed, whose duty it shall be to 
consult with the director}?^ of the Keokuk & Mt. Pleasant Railroad Co., 
and ascertain to what extent and upon what terms said last named com- 
pany will aid in building a railroad from Iowa City to Mt. Pleasant. 

These resolutions were referred, as asked in motion. Committee 
reported the following resolution: 

Resolved, That in the judgment of this meeting, the citizens of Johnson 
county should and will aid liberally in building a north and south railroad 
through Iowa City. 

The resolutions of Mr. Byington were reported back, with recommen- 
dation that the committees asked by them be appointed. Report adopted* 
and the following gentlemen appointed by the chair: Under the first 
resolution, G. E. DeForrest, P. A. Dey, Cyrus Sanders, W. H. Hubbard 
and Jas. McConnel. Under the second resolution, R. S. Finkbine, Jno. 
Williams, E. Clarke, T. S. Parvin and Geo. J. Boal. Under the third 
resolution, Jno. R. Van Fleet, N. H. Brainerd, Thomas Hughs, Geo. PauU 
M. T. Close. 

On motion of Capt. F. M. Irish the chair appointed W. B. Daniels, C. 
W. McCune and E. T. Seymour, a committee to confer with the citizens 
of Cedar Rapids and the officers of the C. R. «& S. S. R. R. as to the 
terms upon which Iowa City can secure a position upon this line. 

E. Sheppard and R. S. Finkbine were appointed a committee to confer 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 241 

with the business men of Washington as to the aid they will give the 
proposed line. 

Mr. Boal introduced the following resolution: 

Resolved^ That a committee of three be appointed to confer with the 
business men of St. Louis, interested in this road, and secure, if possible, 
their co-operation in locating the road down the Iowa Valley, via Iowa 
City, and report to some future meeting at this place. 

Which was adopted, and Geo. J. Boal, Jno. Powell and Jas. B. Edmonds 
appointed as such committee. 

On motion, the meeting adjourned to Saturday, Oct. 21, 1865, at two 
o'clock p. M., at which time and place all of the above committees, save 
the last named are expected to report. 

Jno. p. Irish, S. J. Kirkwood, President. 

N. H. Brainerd, Secretaries. 

proceedings of adjourned railroad meeting. 

Meeting convened in pursuance of adjournment. 

The committee appointed to confer with the I. U. R. R. Co., reported 
through Mr. Dey. Had consulted with officers of that company, and 
thought there would be no difficulty ^in constructing a road from Iowa 
City to Columbus City, but there would be on that part of the line from 
Iowa City to Cedar Rapids. Mr. Dey thought it was only necessary to 
make a proper eftbrt to present our advantages fully to Mr. Angle and 
his company, and we would have but little trouble in getting a position on 
their line. 

Committee appointed to confer with the C, I. & N. R. R. Co. reported 
through Mr. Brainerd that nothing had been done. 

Committee of conference with S. L. & C. R. R. Co. reported through 
its chairman, Mr. Daniels, most favorably. Efforts had been made by 
gentlemen from Cedar Rapids to secure for Iowa City a representation 
in the late convention at the former place. Mr. Angle was strongly in 
favor of the road coming to Iowa City, and would be here himself in a 
few days for a personal inspection of the route, conference with citizens, etc. 

Committee to confer with business men of Washington county reported 
that nothing had been done. 

Mr. Byington moved that a committee, consisting of six members from 
Iowa City township, and two from each of the other townships in the 
county, be appointed and charged with the duty of ascertaining the 
amount of money that can be raised in Johnson county by donations, or 
stock subscriptions, or both, to be expended under the direction of the 
C. R. & St. L. R. R. Co., upon condition that Iowa City shall be made a 
point upon said route; and that said committee make report to an 
adjourned meeting on Saturday, the 28th day of October, 1865. Adoptedi 
and the following gentlemen appointed: 



242 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Iowa City — ^John Powell, Wm. B. Daniels, Joseph McConnell, James 
H. Gower, E. Clarke, Sylvanus Johnson. 
Clear Creek, Georj^e Paul, Bryan Dennis. 
Big Grove— C. W. McCune, Cris Pratt. 
Pleasant Valley — B. B. Boydson, G. F. DeForrest. 
Penn — D. A. Shaler, Capt. Stewart. 
Scott — ^John Parrott, L. W. Lee. 
Oxford — Luther Doty, Squire Hartwell. 
Liberty— M. B. Cline, Wm. L. Figg. 
Graham — W. H. Boyce, Jesse Westenhaver. 
Union — Phineas Harris, M. A. Humphries. 
Madison — David Wray, James Chamberlain. 
Jefferson — A. Sulek, Capt. Shuey. 
Newport — H. Felkner, Brad Henyon. 
Monroe — W. W. Kirkwood, Wesle}- Dean. 
Cedar — Allen Sutliffe, Squire Collins. 
Sharon — Joe. P. Miller, S. H. Bonham. 
Washington — EHas Howell, T. R. Fry. 
Hardin — A. D. Packard, Squire Hardin. 
Fremont — Richard Huskins, H. Welch. 

Committee appointed to solicit subscription in contiguous points in 
Cedar county, Robert Gower, W. Gonsales, W. C. Atwater, Ed. Wright. 

The meeting was addressed upon the various questions before it, by 
Robert Gower, Wm. B. Daniels, N. H. Brainerd, John Williams, Legrand 
Byington, F. M. Irish, James B. Edmonds, Capt. Gaston, Judge Miller, P. 

A. Dey, and many others, all manifesting the warmest interest in the object 
in view. On motion, a committee of three, consisting of Gov. Kirkwood, 
F. M. Irish and Wm. B. Daniels, was appointed to draft an address to the 
people of Johnson county, and procure publication of same for distribution. 

On motion, the chair appointed Wm. B. Daniels, N. H. Brainerd, Jas. 

B. Edmonds, P. A. Dey and John P. Irish, a committee to confer with 
and entertain President Angle during his visit to Iowa City. 

On motion, the chair appointed P. A. Dey, Cyrus Sanders, and John 
R. Van Fleet a committee to carefully examine the proposed route south 
from Iowa City, in order to be prepared to report upon the same to Mr. 
Angle, and also to a future meeting. 

C. W. Hobart and Robert Hutchinson were appointed a finance com- 
mittee to raise funds immediately to defray current expenses involved in 
these initiatory steps. 

S. J. Kirkwood, President. 

Jno. P. Irish, Secretary. 

THE railroad LAND GRANT VOTE. 

At their June session, 1866, the county board of supervisors — 

Resolved., That we hereby give to the Iowa Northern Railroad Com- 
pany, all the indemnity lands of Johnson county, located with the swamp 
land scrip of said county, to aid in constructing said railroad on the line 
purposed by said company, such grant to be hrst submitted for ratifica- 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 243 

tion to the electors of said county, at the general election, in October, 1866, 
on due legal notice given by the clerk of this board. 

Resolved^ That the grant of said lands be made to Jeptha Cowgill, as 
trustee for said I. N. C. R. R. Co., to be by him granted and conveyed to 
said company, as follows: twenty-five per cent of said land, immediately 
upon a ratification of this grant by the electors at said election; twenty- 
five per cent when one-fourth of the grading of said road in Johnson 
county is completed; twenty-five per cent when one-half of said grading 
is completed, and twenty-five per cent when the railroad is graded ready 
for the ties. 

Resolved, That on the completion of said I. N. C. R. R., said Cowgill, 
trustee as aforsaid, shall be required to distribute the full amount of stock 
that may have come into his hands in pursuance of the provisions of all 
the foregoing resolutions, pro rata, among all the individual stock holders 
of said Johnson county. 

The announcement or official notice for this election was a. lengthy docu- 
ment, the main points of historic value being the three resolutions above 
quoted. The remainder of the document recited various incidental details 
of the manner of carrying out the general purpose intended. The result 
of the vote in the county on this proposition was as follows: In favor of 
the land grant, 2168; against it, 380. 

ELECTION ON COMPOUNDING R. R. DEBT. 

October, 1869, after various votes and counter-votes in the count}- board 
at different sessions on the matter and manner of settling up the county's 
railroad bond debts, a popular vote was finally ordered on the following 
proposition: 

Whereas, heretofore, to-wit: on or about the first day of September, 
1853, the sum of fifty thousand dollars in bonds of one thousand dollars 
each, payable on the first day of September, 1863, at seven per cent per 
annum, was issued by the County of Johnson, State of Iowa, to the M. & 
M. R. R. Co., with coupons attached, payable semi-annually, and. 

Whereas, afterwards, to-wit: on the first day of December, 1853, 
fifty thousand dollars in bonds, of one thousand dollars each, payable on 
the first day of December, 1873, with seven per cent per annum interest, 
payable semi-annually, was issued by said Johnson county, to the Lyons 
Iowa Central Railroad Company, and. 

Whereas, after all of said bonds were issued as above recited, a disa- 
greement arose between the holders of the same and the authorities of 
said Johnson county as to the value of said bonds, and the legal right of 
the holders to compel the payment of either principal or interest of said 
bonded indebtedness, thereby causing vexatious and interminable litiga- 
tion, and, 

Whereas, the 12th General Assembly of the State of Iowa, at its 
session begun and holden at the city of Des Moines, on the 13th day of 
January, 1868, enacted the following law, to-wit: An Act to enable public 
corporations to settle indebtedness. -x- * * * * 

Shall the county of Johnson settle its debts under and by virtue of the 
provisions of the act as follows, to-wit: " An act to enable municipal and 
public corporations at their election to settle, adjust and compound their 
indebtedness, and to provide for the issue of new bonds, and for the pay- 



244 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY 



ment of such new bonds by the levy of specific taxes, and for this pur- 
pose altering and amending existing charters and laws." Passed April 2, 
1868. 

The result of the vote upon this question was as follows, (October 12, 
1869): 



Township. 

Big Grove 58 

Pleasant Valley 30 

Scott 63 

Monroe 26 

Jefferson 60 

Newport 17 

Madison 35 

Clear Creek 24 

Liberty 50 

Graham 38 



For or against 
the propositon 
For. Against. 

102 

97 
44 
57 

21 
73 
70 
69 
37 
65 



Township, 

Hardin 59 

Oxford 42 

Cedar 46 

Sharon 7 

Union 37 

Fremont 29 

Washington 1 

Iowa City 326 



For or against the 
proposition. 
For. Against. 

56 

86 

49 

101 

59 

87 

105 

655 



Total 948 1833 



IOWA CITY VOTES A RAILROAD TAX — 1878. 

June 18, 1878, Iowa City voted in favor of a tax within the city limits, of 
three per cent on the assessed valuation, "to aid in constructing the Iowa 
City and Western Railway from the south line of Iowa City, to the south 
line of Johnson county." 

In 1870 and '71, Iowa City township (then including Lucas township 
and the city) had voted a tax to aid in constructing the Iowa Southwestern 
Railroad. But that project went dead, and its assets, consisting of the 
above promise of aid, which never became due at all, besides a small 
record book, an ink bottle, a wooden ruler, and several rusty steel pens, 
all fell into the hands of E. F. Winslow, as trustee: and on May 1, 1879, 
he formally and officially transferred, sold and made over all of this valua- 
ble property to the Iowa City and Western Railway Company — "for and 
in consideration of the sum of one dollar in hand paid by said Iowa City 
and Western Railway Company, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowl- 
edged," etc. This latter company went dead too, and its proposed road 
was never built. 

WRESTLING WITH THE RAILROADS. — THE BIG FIGHT BEGINS. 

As early as 1855-'56, Johnson county began to struggle with her pet 
railroad-bond anaconda, which had ungraciously commenced tightening 
upon her and squeezing out blood. We have carefully traced through the 
county records and gleaned such points from time to time as will serve to 
show how they struggled with the monster, and finally played the drama 
of " the lion and the lamb shall lie down together" — -with the lamb inside 
of the lion. 

February 1, 1861, a report was made to the county board which cov- 
ered the whole ground of the county's railroad "investments" up to that 
time. Hence we preserve it here: 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 245 

To the Honorable Board of Supervisors of fohnson County^ Iowa: 

Your committee on railroads, to whom was referred all questions per- 
taining to the railroad interests of the county, respectfully report — 

That September 1, 1853, Johnson county, after vote submitted to the 
people, subscribed fifty thousand dollars stock to the Mississippi and Mis- 
souri Railroad Company, payable twenty years from date, with semi- 
annual interest at seven per cent, the interest coupons beinc^ attached to 
the bonds, and payable at the office of E. W. Clark, Dodge & Co., New 
York City; that said bonds are all out, and the interest has all been paid 
up to September 1st, last, and that seventeen hundred and fifty-eight 
58-100 dollars, with the exchange thereon, will be needed to meet the 
interest now accruing, and due the 1st of March next. The county at the 
time of issuing the bonds received certificates of stock (500 shares of one 
hundred dollars each) for an amount equal to the bonds issued, and have 
since received certificates of stock for interest on the bonds prior to the 
declaring of any dividends, to the amount of one thousand three hundred 
and forty-three dollars. No litigation has grown out ot^ our connection 
with this company, which is the only company which has built a road, or 
any part of a road within the limits of this county. The committee desire 
to represent that no revenues have been derived to the county, arising 
from dividends of the company, or taxation of the road, other than one 
dividend of four per cent. 

Your committee further report, that Dec. 1, 1853, the county subscribed 
fifty thousand dollars stock, to the so-called Lyons Iowa Central Railroad, 
and bonds of a like character were issued and certificates of stock received. 
These bonds are all out, and in existence, held in the hands of third parties 
who claim to be innocent purchasers, while no portion of the road has 
ever been built. In consequence of the bad faith of the company, our 
county has not paid the interest on the bonds as it accrued, so that 
numerous suits have been preferred against the county on interest coupons 
matured, the history and condition of which will appear by accompanying 
documents from the attorneys of the county. 

Your committee have ascertained that one judgment of $5,000.00 has 
been rendered against the county, after appeal to the Supreme Court, and 
a tax required by mandamus of the court, of two mills, levied on assess- 
ment of 1858, which has in part been collected and a small amount paid to 
the company. This judgment was obtained bv Paul B. Ring and assigned 
to H. P. Dox, and there seems to be no legal method of avoiding the 
payment of the tax levied. A similar judgment of $155.00 has been 
obtained by S. Whitaker against the county, to be paid out of the tax 
levied to pay the judgment assigned to H. P. Dox. No other judgments 
have been obtained which are now binding on the county. Several cases 
have gone up to the Supreme Court on argument of counsel, and some cases 
are still pending in the District Court of Muscatine county, as will appear 
by the accompanying document. Your committee are of the opinion that 
these suits have been properly resisted by the county, and that there is a 
prospect of decisions of the Supreme Court in our favor. We would 
therefore recommend that the committee or some other person or persons 
be authorized by your board to continue the suits now in court until some 
final decision shall be rendered for or adverse to the county, which shall 
definitely determine the liability of the county upon these bonds. Your 
committee are informed that doubtless these bonds could be bought up by 
16 ■ 



246 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

the county at prices of from twenty-five to forty cents on the dollar if 
deemed expedient. 

Your committee have further ascertained that upon a vote of the 
people, subscribing $175,000 to the Iowa Union Railroad, $3,500.00 of 
bonds were issued on Oct. 30, 1857, one half of which (in October, I860,) 
has been paid and certificates of indelDtedness for the remaining half issued to 
the said company. This road nor an}^ part of it has been built, and from 
want of time your committee are unable to decide whether the certificate 
of indebtedness is a legal claim against the count}' or not. 

Fifty thousand dollars of stock in the Great Western Railroad were 
also voted, but no bonds were ever issued, and there is no prospect of any 
difficulty arising from that direction. 

Your committee would state that but little time or opportunity has 
been afforded them up to the present time, by which to make the neces- 
sary investigations in this behalf. All of which is respectfully submitted. 

Abei. Black, ) 
G. Steinberger, V Committee. 
S. H. McCrorv. ) 

At the same time the above report was made, the county attorneys, 
Edmonds & Ransom, made a report, which looked fair enough then, but 
in the light of later events, it looks very gauzy, and seems to have been 
really a mere makeshift, to gain time for their own profit as in secret joint 
interest with the railroad magnates and manipulators of the east. On the 
same dav, at the afternoon session, the following resolution was adopted: 

Resolved, That the committee on railroads be instructed to confer with 
the board of supervisors, or committee thereof appointed for like pur- 
poses, of the counties of Scott, Muscatine, Washington, Iowa and Powe- 
shiek, w'ith a view to ascertaining the extent of the actual interest and 
ownership of said counties in the Mississippi and Missouri railroad, and 
whether eastern stockholders have paid in their proportion of stock sub- 
scribed, in accordance with the requirements of the charter and by-laws 
'of said company, and have a legal title to the shares held by them, by 
which they control the action and policy of said company. Adopted. 

On January 10, 1862, this report appears of record: 

Your committee on railroads to whom are referred all matters pertain- 
ing to the railroad interests of the county, respectfully report that they find 
that there has been no interest paid on the bonds of the Mississippi and 
Missouri railroad for the past year; there will be due on said bonds on the 
first of March, $3,500, with the exchange to be added. 

Your committee have ascertained that the judgment obtained by Paul 
B. Ring against the county has been paid. 

[This was the judgment on demurrer, for want of coupon seal, that 
estopped all inquiry into the consideration of these bonds.] 

Tour committee find that no benefit has accrued to the county by tts con- 
nection zvith railroad companies. All of which is respectfully submitted. 
John P. Huskins, S. H. Hazzard, 

Bradford Hhnvon, James Fagg. 

J. A. Shuey, 

This report indicates that the county had got heartily tired of paying 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 247 

this profitless interest; and they shortly afterwards refused to levy for 
that purpose, in toto. 

On June 9, 1864, we have this "report of a special committee on rail- 
roads :" 

Tothe Board : — Tlie special committee to whom was referred the mat- 
ter of the railroad indebtedness of Johnson county, respectfully report that 
the}^ took no steps relative to the Lyons Iowa Central railroad bonds, as 
they were in litigation, and, unless compelled to pay, we felt no desire to 
pay a cent. 

As to the bonds issued to aid in the construction of the first division of 
the M. & M. R. R., we find that there was due about March 1, 1864, 
principal and interest, about $61,602.50. As the county held two certifi- 
cates from the officers of the last named company', purporting to be certif- 
icates of stock, amounting to $51,300, and a scrip certificate of $43, it was 
deemed advisable by the committee, as the stock of the M. & M. R. R. 
Co. was up to 64, to sell, and with the money, compromise with the 
bondholders, or to compromise by transferring stock in payment of bonds 
and interest. It was attempted by correspondence to accomplish this re- 
sult, but it was tedious and uncertain. In April it was deemed expedient 
for one of the committee to go east and see what could be done. Ac- 
cordingly in April the chairman went east and met with several parties 
holding bonds, but nothing could be done with them short of payment of 
dollar for dollar, in vitw of the action of the Supreme Court of the United 
States as to the validity of the bonds. An attempt to sell at .64, .66 and 
.68 was made, and with fair success, when suddenly the stocks declined to 
.50 and even lower. This was fortunate for the committee, as it after- 
wards proved that the county had control of only $1,343 of stock. On a 
careful examination of the books of the company, it appeared that the cer- 
tificate of stock of $50,000 was not issued directly to the count}', but to one 
Fagg, as trustee. Beyond this nothing could be there ascertained. The 
chairman immediately went to the person who was the agent of the coun- 
ty in the transaction, and there learned that the bonds were held by the 
trustee in security for the payment of the bonds. This destroyed all hopes 
ot a sale. We are now negotiating a compromise by payment of so much 
in stock, and to do this requires a united or concerted action of all of the 
bondholders, which is now being effected. We are in hopes that during 
the summer, the malter can be closed. The stock now ranges trom .40 
to .50. 

The chairman has been lately informed that a compromise can be made 
with most of the bondholders, but at what rate they will accept the stock 
we do not know. 

S. H. Fairall, 
E. Carroll. 

January 4, 1865, we have this record : 

Resolved, That the County Attorney is hereby authorized to examine 
the records of the M. & M. R. R. Co., either in Iowa City or Davenport, 
and report to this board at its next regular meeting what legal impedi- 
ments there are, if any, which prevents Johnson county from having at 
her disposal the stock which she owns in said road, and secondly, if the 
M. & M. R. R. Co. is now, or has been declaring dividends on that sec- 
tion of the road between Iowa City and Davenport, and if so, what paid 



248 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

in, and if such pay is in accordance with the charter of said road, granted 
by the Stale Legislature. 

Sept. 8, 1868, a committee on county indebtedness made report: 

That \^e purchased of Mr. E. E. Lewis two bonds issued to the Lyons 
Iowa Central Railroad Co., at $750 each, a fraction less than sixty-eight 
cents on the dollar; raised the money of the Iowa City National Bank, by 
giving our note to said bank for $1,500, and paid the money to Mr. Lewis, 
thus saving the county $710. We also purchased one bond from J. W. 
Birch, for $750, and borrowed the money from the First National Bank, 
giving our note for the same. Other bonds can be purchased, as per 
ofler in the hands of committee, if .thought advisable by the board. 

Your committee having received information of the whereabouts of 
eighteen bonds that could be purchased at reasonable rates, deemed it 
advisable and to the best interest of the county to send Mr. Paul to New 
York to attend to the purchase of said bonds, and any others that might 
be found. He was not successful, the parties owning said eighteen bonds 
purposing to sue on the same. We gave our note to Iowa City National 
Bank for $150, to cover expenses of Mr. Paul. 

REFUSAL TO LEVY R. R. TAX. 

Sept. 10, 1868. Your committee on finance, to whom was referred the 
petition of citizens of Johnson county, asking the board to refuse to levy 
a tax to pay railroad bonds, would respectfully recommend the adoption 
of the accompanying preamble and resolution, in answer to the prayer of 
the petitioners. 

A. H. Humphrey, John R. Vanfleet, Elias Howell, 

Committee. 

Whereas, heretofore, to-wit: At divers times, from the first day of 
May to the first day of September, 1868, peremptory writs of mandamus 
issued out of the supreme court of the United States, to the board of 
supervisors of Johnson county, Iowa, commanding said board of supervis- 
ors to pay certain judgments obtained in the circuit court of the United 
States for the district of Iowa, m favor of Marcus C. Rigg and George 
Bliss; and, 

Whereas, heretofore, to-wit: at the October term, 1864, of the dis- 
trict court of said Johnson count}^ a perpetual injunction was granted b}'- 
said district court, commanding the lawful officers of said Johnson county 
to forever refrain from levying, or attempting to levy, any tax for the pur- 
pose of paying the bonds, and interest thereon, of the M. & M. railroad, 
and the Lyons Iowa Central railroad, on which the above recited judg- 
ments are based; and 

Whereas, they are advised that said injunction is still in full force 
and effect, and that no steps have been taken by said judgment creditors, 
or others, to have the same removed or vacated, and that the levy of such 
tax would be in contempt of said injunction. Therefore, be it 

Hcso/vcd, That in view of the continued and existing force and effect of 
said injunction, we believe that we are legally disabled from making said 
levy, as commanded, and therefore decline making a levy at this present 
time. — Adopted. 

This action of the board in "declining to make a levy" was approved 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 249 

by a public meeting held January 5, 1809, the proceedings of which are 
given hereafter. 
June 9, 1869, it is recorded: 

Your committee herewith also submit a statement of the Lyons and 
Mississippi & Missouri railroad bonds; the original amount thereof; the 
amount paid as principal, and also the amount of interest paid by the 
county; which statements are marked resj^ectively "C"" and "D." 

W.J. IIuFF, A.J. Beuter. John K. Van Fleet, E. Howell, 

Committee. 

The above statements marked "C" and "D" were not recorded, 
although eight or ten other reports or " statements" made at the same 
time were duly spread upon the minutes. And after a diligent search of 
all the original papers of that 3^ear filed away, it could not be found. 

September 8, 1869, we tind this report: 

The committee on railroads would beg leave to report, that under the 
authority vested in them by resolution of the board, passed at the June 
session, 1869; the committee, assisted by the Hon. Ezekiel Clark and 
James H. Gower, purchased six bonds of Johnson county, issued to the 
Mississippi and Missouri Railroad Company, number 31, 32, 33, 3-1, 35 
and 36, with five coupons each, due Sept. 1, 1863, and amounting in the 
aggregate at the date of purchase, to $10,011, (ten thousand and eleven 
dollars) for which we paid the sum of $-l:,800, being forty-eight cents on 
the dollar. The committee as authorized, borrowed the money to pay 
for said bonds, of the Iowa City National Bank, and have given a note 
signed b}^ the committee, for the sum of $4,826.95, exchange and express 
charges included in the transaction. 

PUBLIC meetings TO RESIST THE RAILROAD FRAUDS. 

There was a moral certainty that wrong and injustice was being done 
the people, but just how to prevent or stop it was not so easy to find out. 
The body taxable was sick. The air was full of proposed remedies; but 
the doctors differed, and who should decide.'^ On January 5, 1869, a pub- 
lic meeting was held at the court house in Iowa City, and the following 
report of its doings was published at the time: 

James Remle}^ was called to the chair and N. H. Brainerd appointed 
Secretary. The call for the meeting being read, Col. John Williams 
county attorney, was called on to state the position in which the bond 
question stands. 

He said the Lyons R. R. bonds were issued Dec. 1, 1853, and but little' 
interest had been paid on them. One judgment had been obtained in 
favor of Rigg for $25,000 and another for other parties for $5,000, and a 
writ of mandamus had been issued, ordering levy of taxes to pay these 
judgments. The M. & M. bonds were also issued in 1853, to run ten 
years and were, therefore, all long past due. A judgment for $25,000 
has been obtained on these, for which a writ has been issued. Other 
judgments have been obtained, but no more writs. The entire amount of 
all these bonds, with accumulated interest, was not far from $300,000. 
The board of supervisors must determine at its coming meeting whether 
or not it will obey these writs of mandamus and levy the taxes as ordered 



250 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

and must make return in October to the United States Circuit Court, at 
Des Moines. He had learned that Lee, Des Moines, Henry, Louisa and 
other counties would refuse to levy the taxes. 

Legrand Byington was called for and said he had given the subject no 
thought for years. He had regarded the bonds as null and void tor many 
years, because none of the stipulated consideration had been received, aside 
from the question of legal authority to issue them. He went into a his- 
tory of their issue and stated the pledges given by the railroad men. 

Capt. Gaston, E. C. L3'On and J. A. Smith were appointed a committee 
to draft resolutions. 

The committee on resolutions here reported as follows: 

J^cso/zrd, That the Mississippi & Missouri railroad bonds and the Lyons 
Iowa Central railroad bonds, were obtained fraudulently and without con- 
sideration from Johnson county, and are in justice and equity null and void, 
and that their collection of the people of Johnson county is an outrage and 
a swindle, to be resisted to every possible extent. 

J^cso/vcd, That the Board of Supervisors of Johnson county should not 
levy any tax to pay judgments already obtained on said bonds or coupons 
attached thereto, and even insist upon their resisting to the bitter end, by 
all legitimate means in their power, the payment of said judgments. 

Resolved, That the people of Johnson county will actively and effect- 
ually support the Board of Supervisors in maintaining their interests by 
resisting the payment of said judgments. 

A discussion arose upon the resolutions. J. B. Edmonds, Esq., made 
some remarks in replv to what he regarded as personalities from Mr. 
Byingion, and said there was no escape from the pa3'ment of the bonds. 

Mr. Byington replied and said Mr. Edmonds was not a safe counselor 
for the county, as he was the regularly paid attorney for the railroad com- 
pany and for the bondholders. 

Mr, Byington offered the following resolution, which was unanimously 
adopted: 

Resolved, As the sense of this meeting, that the Board of Supervisors 
of Johnson county, as a municipal body, with limited powers, received 
wholly from State authority, can derive no legal warrant from any 
federal judge to levy county taxes for any purpose whatever. 

The meeting thereupon adjourned. 

Jas. Remley, Chairman. 

N. H . Brainerd^ Secretary. 

Thus it will be seen that Johnson county " resolved to resist." Things 
went on in this fashion for some months, and in the fall of 1869, a call for 
a convention of the people of all the resisting counties was made, to be 
held at Muscatine, on the loth day of December of that year. To this 
convention it was determined that Johnson county would send a very 
strong delegation. Accordingly, on the 4th day of December, a county 
convention was held at Iowa City, and the following among other pro- 
ceedings were had thereat, viz: 

Iowa City, Dec. 4th, 1869. 

The meeting was called to order and John Williams, Esq., appointed 
temporary chairman. On motion Col. S. C. Trowbridge was appointed 
president of the meeting, and Henry N. Berry, secretar^i. The follow- 
ing named were appointed vice-presidents: 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 251 

J, H. Westenhaven, Graham township. 

Robert Hutchinson, Iowa City. 

J. F. Struble, Scott township. 

J. Switzer, Liberty township. 

Charles Gaynnan, Newport township. 

Amos Cherry, Pleasant Valley township. 

D. A. Shafer, Penn township. 

Chas. H. McCune, Big Grove township. 

A committee of {\vt, consisting of Hon. Rush Clark, Capt. Gaston, N. 
H. Brainerd, Robt Walker and D. A. Shafer, was appointed to draft reso- 
lutions expressive of the sense of the meeting, and to present names for 
delegates to the Muscatine convention. During the absence of the com- 
mittee Mr. Byington addressed the meeting on the subject of railroad 
bond indebtedness. 

The committee appointed to draft resolutions, etc., made the following 
report: 

Whereas, The Supreme Court of Iowa has solemnly decided that the 
bonds issued by Johnson county to the Mississippi and Missouri Railroad 
Co., and the Lyons Railroad Co., were issued without authority of law, 
and are wholly void — and that no man can by possibility be an innocent 
holder of said bonds; and, whereas, the Circuit Court of the United 
States is now attempting to enforce their collection, upon a judgment ren- 
dered in open and undisguised violation of repeated precedents made by 
itself, therefore, 

/Resolved, That the attempt of the bondholders to enforce the collection 
by federal authority, through our State and county officers, is the attempted 
perpetration of a most villainous fraud and swindle upon ihe people of this 
county, and determined resistance to its consummation should onl}'' eiid 
when all remedies known to the law shall have been honestly and earnestly 
appealed to in vain. And we do solemnly declare that it is no less the 
privilege than the imperative duty of the people of this county to leave 
no honest eflbrt unmade which gives promise of foiling the designs of our 
oppressors. 

Resolved^ That in this contest, in addition to the right of a tax-payer to 
hold and own his property, free from illegal and unwarrantable taxation, 
there is involved a vital principle of pablic and general interest to the 
people of the whole State — namely, the principle of right in the citizens 
of the State, (^well settled by judicial precedents throughout the country, 
and only lately put in question,) to have the ultimate construction of their 
State constitution by the State court recognized by the Federal court as 
binding and final. 

Resolved^ That the attempt to compel the county officers of this or other 
counties to levy a tax on the individual citizens of the county to pay 
railroad subscriptions by the county, in face of want of constitutional 
authority to levy a tax for such purpose, and in defiance of the decisions of 
the State Supreme Court, is an attempt to enforce by judicial authorit}'- a 
mere act of usurpation. 

Resolved, That we approve the call for a meeting of delegates from 
counties in a Hke condition with Johnson, to meet at Muscatine on the 15th 
inst., to confer together as to the best means to be taken to avoid payment 
of such bonds, and we do hereby appoint the following named gentlemen 
to represent us in said convention: 

S.J. Kirkwood, Rush Clark, W. C. Gaston, D. A. Shafer, L. B. Pat- 
terson, Jeptha Cowgill, S. C. Trowbridge, E. Clark, E. Shepard, R. 



252 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Hutchinson, John Williams, Legrand Byington, M, W. Davis, Jas. Lee, 
C. W. McCune, C. H. Berryhill, Bryan Dennis, J. Switzer, J. G. Black- 
well, W. A. Morrison, J. R. VanFleet, N. H. Brainerd, A. B. Cornell, E. 
C. Lyon, Jas. H. Gower. 

The report was adopted unanimously. Mr. Byington offered the fol- 
lowing resolutions: 

Resolved, That the railroad bond tax, which has been forced upon 
the county levy for 1869, by duress of our county authorities, is illegal and 
oppressive — and we pledge ourselves, one to the other, not to pay the 
same, and to countenance no man who will either voluntarily pay it or ad- 
vise others to do so. 

Resolved, That the delegates this day appointed to the Muscatine con- 
vention are hereby instructed to co-operate with the people of the ten east- 
ern counties of Iowa, in any effort that may there be inaugurated to resist 
the payment of said illegal tax, to the last extremity. 

Resolutions adopted unanimousl}-. 

This sketch of Johnson county's vigorous action would not be com- 
plete without a report of the Muscatine meeting, at which Ex-Gov. Kirk- 
wood and Hon. Rush Clark took a prominent part. 

Muscatine, December 15, 1869. 

At 10:30 o'clock the convention was called to order by Attorney Gen- 
eral O'Connor, who nominated Hon. G. G. Bennett, Senator from Wash- 
ington county, for temporary chairman. 

John Mahin, of Muscatine, and L. B. Patterson, of Johnson county were 
nominated temporary secretaries. 

J. P. Ament, of Muscatine, moved that a committee of one from each 
county be appointed on permanent organization, to report the number of 
votes to be cast by each county. Carried. 

The following were appointed as said committee: 

Gen. H. Scoffeld, of Washington county. 

Hon. E. Clark, of Johnson county. 

Hon. Charles Negus, of Jefferson county. 

Hon. John A. Parvin, of Muscatine county. 

J. H. Lusk, of Lee county. 

Robert Gower, of Cedar county. 

Hon. J. B. Grinnell, of Poweshiek county. 

Col. W. W. Garner, of Louisa county. 

On motion of Hon. Samuel McNutt, of Muscatine, a committee of one 
from each county was appointed on resolutions. 

The members of the committee were suggested by delegates and ap- 
pointed as follows: 

Ex-Gov. S.J. Kirk wood, of Johnson. 

A. L. Courtwright, of Lee. 

Hon. S. McNutt, of Muscatine. 

A. W. Chilcote, of Washington. 

J. P. Ketchum, of Iowa. 

Hon. J. B. Grinnell, of Poweshiek. 

Charles Negus, of Johnson. 

Ira Ford, of Cedar. 

Hon. Rush Clark, of Johnson county, was then called on for a speech. 
He came forward and spoke about half an hour. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 253 

On the recommendation of a committee, the permanent officers of the 
convention were, — President, Hon. J. B. Grinnell; Vice Presidents, Rush 
Clark, A. L. Courtwright and Wm. Marshall; Secretaries, John Mahin 
and L. B. Patterson. 

At one and one- half o'clock, the committee on resolutions, through 
Ex-Governor Kirkwood, reported the following resolutions: 

Whereas, The recent decisions of the Federal courts involving cor- 
poration railroad bonds in this State seem to us subversive of the authority 
and dignity of our State courts, and dangerous to the rights and privi- 
leges of citizens of the States, if not positive and unwarranted encroachments 
upon the jurisdiction of the State courts; therefore. 

Resolved, That we respectfully and earnestly protest against the exer- 
cise of such authority b}^ the Federal courts, and hereby pledge our sym- 
pathy and support to the State courts in the maintenance of their rightful 
authority. 

Resolved, That this convention earnestly call upon the General Assem- 
bly of Iowa to take notice of the late decision of the Federal Supreme 
Court and apply to congress and the other States to take the necessary 
steps to protect our citizens against similar encroachments on their rights. 

Resolved, That this convention regards the provision enacted by the 
12th General Assembly, commonly known as the Doud amendment, as 
the reservation of the rights of the State to control certain railroad com- 
panies in regard to their charges for freight and passengers as a most 
precious and valuable right, and ought to be preserved unimpaired and 
unrepealed. 

Resolved, That the property of railroad corporations in this State should 
be taxed as our constitution provides, the same as other propert}^, and the 
General Assembly is earnestly requested to provide by law for such equal 
taxation. 

Resolved, That this convention recommends to the citizens of the 
several counties and cities interested in this railroad bond question to pay 
all their taxes except the railroad bond tax, to refuse to pay that until all 
legal and practical remedies are exhausted. 

Resolved, That a committee, consisting of one from each county, be 
appointed, whose duty it shall be to maintain a correspondence between 
the several counties, with a view to harmony and unity of action, and that 
we recommend to the counties here represented not to pav or compromise 
said indebtedness, nor any part of the same, without general consultation; 
and that we further recommend that each county keep at Des Moines, 
during the coming session, one or more competent agents, to furnish infor- 
mation to members of the General Assembly and to attend to the interests 
of their respective counties on this question. 

Robert Gower moved to amend by adding a resolution that all bonds 
or securities issued by muncipal corporations be adjudicated on their 
merits — on the value received therefor. 

Mr. Negus explained that section of the law which has been construed 
to authorize municipalities to aid railroads. He was a member of the leg- 
islature which enacted it, and bore testimony that no such authority was 
intended. He also explained the decisions of the courts, and declared that 
under no circumstances ought we to pay more than the bonds were sold 
for. 

Ex-Governor Kirkwood said all will admit that we have a right to 
make our State constitution and laws just as we please, provided we do 



2 54 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

not trench upon the constitution of the United States. What value is this 
right if our court cannot interpret the meaning of our constitution and 
laws? He spoke at some length in explanation of the resolutions, and in 
favor of their adoption. 

At 4 o'clock the question was called on the resolutions, and they were 
unanimously adopted. 

Hon. Rush Clark was again called to the floor to address the meeting. He 
said there was no opportunity for the tax-payers to test this question till 
the tax was levid by duress of a mandamus. Our own supreme court 
m'lst decide that there was no authority to levy the tax. If we can set 
aside that levy, the federal court can go no further. Our court having 
original jurisdiction, it must hold its ground. The fight has, therefore, 
just commenced. We can get no compromise without contesting. It is 
not a hopeless case. My recommendation is that the levy of tax in each 
county be contested. 

The following gentlemen were appointed a committee on correspon- 
dence, in accordance with the last resolution: 

David Miller, of Jefferson. H. Scofield, of Washington. 

N. B. Holbrook, of Iowa. A. B. Cornell, of Johnson. 

O. H. Buchanan, of Henry. John Mahin, of Muscatine. 

Robert Gower, of Cedar. Judge Clagget, of Lee. 

Col. S. F. Cooper, of Poweshiek. G. W. Edwards, of Des Moines. 

On motion, John Mahin was appointed chairman of the committee. 

Such was the wisdom of the hour. It was the old stor}^ of L-aocoon 
and his sons in the coils of the python, re-enacted on the shores of the 
Mississippi river. The resolutions were clear and just, but they had no 
bowels of compiihion to stay the ravenous greed of the bond-headed beast 
with railroad switches in his tail, and taxes by the million in his insatiable 
belly. 

In 1870 and 1871 the county made strong efforts to lift its great burden 
and vexatious load of railroad debt, and in June, 1871, the railroad bond 
fund account stood thus: 

Balance on hand January 1 $ 1,392.43 

Tax collected to June 1 22,507.52 $23,899.95 

By payment on judgments 15,417.35 

By purchase of bonds 6,918.90 

By balance 1,563.70 $23,899.95 

R. R. BOND PAYMENTS, 1874. 

The following from proceedings of county board of supervisors, January 
8, 1875, explains itself: 

Supervisor Nelson from finance committee of last year, made the fol- 
lowing report, which was approved: 
To the Board of Supervisors^ 'Johnson county : 

Gentlemen. — Your committee of finance respectfully report that they 
have paid Lyons railroad bonds as follows: 

April 4, 1874, to P. A. Dey, president of the First National Bank of 
Iowa City, bonds Nos. 2, 4, 10, 18, 20, 25 and 27. Principal, interest and 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 255 

exchange amounted to $8,493.62, and August 18, 1874, to T. J. Cox, cash- 
ier of the Iowa City National Bank, Nos. 32, 42, 44 and 50, principal, 
interest and exchange amounting to $4,339.16. There are still outstand- 
ing three Lyons bonds upon which no coupons have been paid, the hold- 
ers of which have not been tbund, notwithstanding all efforts in that direc- 
tion. 

G. W. Nelson, T. Comb, J. Overholser, Committee. 

RAH^ROAD bond JUDGMENTS. 

On September 10, 1872, George B. Corkhill, clerk of the United States 
District Court for Iowa, certified to the correctness of the following state- 
ment of judgments rendered against Johnson county, on her coupon bonds 
issued to aid in building railroads: 

Name ol Plaintiff. Date of Judgment. AniH of Judgment. Remarkn. 

Marcus C. Riirg May 12, 1864. $ 5,189.26. Satisfied. 

Marcus C. Rigg May 15, 1867. 20,583.26. 

John A. Dix May 15, 1867. 1,521.54. 

Henry Vandeveer May 16, 1867. 6,094.15. Satisfied. 

George Bliss May 12, 1866. 25,427.00. 

F. L. Burch May 27, 1868. 3,599.82. 

Theo. L. Minear Oct. 26, 1868. 33,486.21 i ^^fcl?7o ?''"''^ 

' ' ( to $2b,411.2o. 

C. F. Blake Oct. 26, 1868. 7,627.70. Satisfied. 

John Weber Mav 15, 1869. . 3,780.11. 

C. E. Parker Mav 15, 1869. 1,696.90. 

John Weber May 12, 1870. 2,387.30. 

Theo. Minear May 12, 1870. 2,015.10. 

Samuel C. Weed Oct. 19, 1870. 3,897.74. 

Theo. xMinear May 10, 1871. 651.36. " 

Theo. Minear May 10, 1871. 673.73. 

Henry Amy Oct. 20, 1869. 5,125.10. " 

JOHN A. Dix's COMPLIMENTS. 

Ex-Governor, ex-Major General, ex-"shoot-him-on-the-spot" John A. 
Dix of New York, held $12,000 of Iowa City bonds, and had often 
laughed in his sleeve at the infantile struggles of the corporations in 
swaddling clothes out on the prairies of Iowa, when he and other " inno- 
cent percussers" of their bonds tapped them for interest. Well, the infants 
having kicked and rebelled lustily till there wasn't an ounce of kick left 
in them, cried "quit." In 1874, Moses Bloom was Mayor of the city, and 
he wrote the General to see what he would do about selling his bonds to 
some Iowa City capitalist so they could be taken up in small sums and 
stop interest whenever there were funds on hand to do it wiih. What the 
people had been denouncing and resisting as a swindle — he sweetly terms 
"their honest obligations;" and here is his historic reply: 

State of New York, Executive Chamber, 

Albany, 14th July, 1874. 
Gentlemen : — I have so high an appreciation of the desire on the part 
of corporations, as well as individuals, to meet their honest obligations 



256 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

with fidelity that I cannot refuse your request, and I will take pleasure in 
surrendering the bonds I hold against your city as soon as I can find some 
object of investment for the proceeds. I think this need not delay the 
arrangement more than two or three weeks. 

I have $12,000, of your bonds, numbered as follows: 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 
13, 22, 23, 24, 25, 63, 68, 69, 70, 71, 82, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98,— if)500 each. 
Truly yours, John A. Dix. 

IOWA CITY IN THE U. S. SUPREME COURT. 

In January, 1875, a decision was rendered in the United States Supreme 
Court, in which Iowa City was a party Htigant; and we preserve here so 
much of the document as pertains distinctly to the Iowa City case, omit- 
ting a lengthy discussion of certain Kentucky and Wisconsin cases cited 
by counsel for the plaintifi'. 
Siifreme Court of the United States in error to Circuit Court of the United 

States for the district of lozva : 

Luther C. Clark vs. Iowa City. 

James Grant, attorney for plaintifi. 

Robinson & Patterson, attorneys for defendant. 

Mr. Justice Field delivered the opinion of the court: 

In 1856, Iowa City issued certain bonds in sums of five hundred dollars 
each, payable to the bearer in the cit}' of New York, on the first day of 
January, 1876, with annual interest at the rate of ten per cent a year, pay- 
able on the first day of January of each year. For the different install- 
ments of interest, coupons were annexed. 

The bonds were taken up and canceled before the commencement of 
this action, but previous to such cancellation the coupons for interest due 
on the first of January, 1860, upon which the action was brought, were 
detached and negotiated to other parties, until by purchase they came to 
the possession o\ the plaintiff'. In bar of the action the defendant pleaded 
the statute of limitations of Iowa. 

That statute prescribes the limitation of ten years to actions on all writ- 
ten contracts, whether under seal or otherwise. The simple question, 
therefore, presented for our determination is, whether the statute is a bar 
to an action upon the coupons detached from the bonds, and transferred 
to parties other than the holders of the bonds, when it would not be a bar 
to an action on the bonds themselves had they not been canceled. 

Most of the bonds of municipal bodies, and private corporations in this 
country are issued in order to raise funds for works of large extent and 
cost, and their payment is, therefore, made at distant periods, not unfre- 
quently beyond a quarter of a century; coupons tor the different install- 
ments of interest are usually attached to these bonds, in the expectation 
that they will be paid as they mature, however distant the period fixed 
for the payment of the principal. 

These coupons when severed from the bonds are negotiable, and pass 
by delivery. They then cease to be incidents of the bonds, and become 
in fact, independant claims; they do not lose their validity, if for any cause 
the bonds are canceled or paid before maturity; nor their negotiable 
character; nor their ability to support separate actions; and the amount 
for which they are issued draws interest from its maturity. They then 
possess the essential attributes of commercial paper, as has been held by 
this court in repeated instances. Every consideration, therefore, which 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 257 

gives efficacy to the statute of limitations when applied to actions on the 
bonds after their maturity, equally requires that similar limitations should 
be applied to actions upon the coupons after their maturity. 

Coupons, when severed from the bonds to which they were orginally 
attached, are in legal eftect, equivalent to separate bonds for the different 
installments of interest. The like action may be brought upon each of 
them, when they respectively become due, as upon the bond itselt when 
the principal matures; and to each action — to that upon the bond and to 
each of those upon the coupons — the same limitation must upon principle 
apply. All statutes of limitation begin to run when the right of action is 
complete, and it would be exceptional and illogical to hold that the statute 
sleeps with respect to claims upon detached coupons, whilst a complete 
right of action upon such claim exists in the holder. We answer, there- 
fore the question certified to us, that the statute of Iowa, which extends 
the same limitation to actions on all written contracts, sealed or unsealed, 
began to run against the coupons in suit from their respective maturities; 
and accordingly affirm the judgment. 

R. R. VALUATION, 1861. 

On June 6, 1861, the count}^ board of equalization made this record: 
The assessment upon the M. & M. R. R., having been made in the 
several townships through which it runs at unequal amounts, verying 
from $7,(»00.00 to $30,000.00 per mile, your committee recommend that 
the valuation of $10,000 per mile be fixed as the uniform rate, making 
the total assessment upon the road for twenty-seven miles, the estimated 

length of the road in the county $270,000 00 

Freight depot at Iowa City estimated 3,000 OQ 

Engine house and tank 2,000 GO 

Passenger depot and ticket office 5 00 

Three locomotives 20,000 00 

Two passenger cars 1,000 00 

Twenty-five freight cars 5,000 00 

Total assessment $301,005 00 

The valuation of " Five Dollars " on depot and ticket office seems to 
have been a "figure of contempt " for the failure of the railroad company 
to comply with their agreement in regard to passenger depot. 

RAILROAD ASSESSMENT — MARCH 30, 1882. 

Name of Road. Miles. Val. Total. 

Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern 16 . 05 $5,550 89,077 

Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern, Iowa 

City Div 19.59 2,000 39,180 

Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern, Musca- 
tine Div 7.06 2,500 17,650 

Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific 27. 16 12,700 344,932 

490,839 

BYINGTON's RAILROAD HISTORY. 

Legrand Byington, Esq., was a prominent actor in the early railroad 
schemes of Johnson county. Several years ago (1874) he published a 



258 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNT V. 

seriesof trenchant newspaper articles under the title of the '■'■ Secret History 
of Railroads in 'Johnson County?'' There is no doubt that Mr. Byincrton 
had some personal objects to serve in making his publication, but that 
does not alter the historical facts and matters of record which he made 
public. His writings and papers were frankly and generously placed at 
our service, to use or not, just as we might deem best, after searching the 
p\iblic records and other sources of information. His sketches present 
many facts of historic interest not elsewhere found, and we select from 
them such as serve well to show the workings of public sentiment and 
public endeavor in regard to securing railroad connections, in the days 
before any of these nest-eggs of railroad fraud had hatched out, and shows 
what gigantic sort of beastly birds they were, to tramp over and devour 
the count}'. Mr. Byington says: 

The earliest railroad projected in Iowa, was to have run from Du- 
buque through Iowa City to Keokuk. Anterior to the first State consti- 
tution, congress was memorialized by the territorial legislature, |for a grant 
of public lands in aid of its construction. When I came to the State in 
1849, it divided public attention with the scheme of slackwater navigation 
of the Des Moines river (which controlled the politics of Iowa for years) 
and was so pretentious that in a State railroad convention called in its 
interest at Iowa Cit}^, in 1850, the utmost etibrts of Judge James Grant and 
myself were unavailing to have a resolution in favor of a road from Dav- 
enport to Council Bluffs, attached as an amendment to a petition on behalf 
of the Dubuque and Keokuk project. 

It was always veiiementl}' opposed by all the influences which the aspir- 
ing 3^oung cities of Burlington and Muscatine could marshal against it, 
which led to a protracted newspaper and convention controversy over it, 
between tiie latter and the interior towns along its projected line. 

The most notable incident of this sectional contest, was the defeat of 
Judge Lincoln Clark, for congress, by John P. Cook, of Davenport. The 
district contained a large majority of the political friends of Clark, but he 
was regarded as so much under the influence of Burlington, though resi- 
dent at Dubuque, that political considerations were almost entirel3Mgnored 
by the people of the counties interested in the Dubuque & Keokuk road, 
who held a protesting convention at Cedar Rapids, and voted very gen- 
erally for Cook, on that consideration alone. 

Burlington, however, always found effectual means of defeating the land 
grant, and eventually, the road itself, in whatsoever shape it afterwards 
presented itself. 

As earl}^ as 1850, the Davenport and Council Bluffs road found earnest 
advocates. Defeated in first state convention, the people of Johnson 
county, under the inspiration of the late James P. Carleton and myself, 
took practical steps, in the summer of 1850, in its behalf, by organizing a 
company under the style of the Davenport & Iowa City R. R. Co., of 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 259 

which J. p. Carleton was made president; H. W. Lathrop, secretary; 
l/Cgrand Byington, treasurer, and Henry Murray, M. J. Morsman, Syl- 
vanus Johnson, Samuel Workman, and some others, were directors. 

In August, 1850, a public meeting upon the subject raised a committee 
of correspondence, who immediately dispatched to Davenport the follow- 
ing letter to Judge Grant, Mr. LeClaire, Ebenezer Cook, and other prom- 
inent citizens of that place, viz: 

Iowa City, Aug. 25, 1850. 
Gentlemen: — A public meeting of the citizens of Johnson county, wliich recently- 
assembled at this place, devolved upon the undersigned the duty of endeavoring to secure 
the co-operation of the people of your county, in some measure which will be likely to 
secure the location and early commencement of a railroad trom Davenport to Iowa City. 
The entire proceedings of the above named meeting are enclosed to you, to elicit from you 
and others upon the line of said road, either co-operation in our plans, or a suggestion of 
such other measures as you may deem preferable, to accomplish the end in view. It is 
confidently expected of your interest and zeal in this matter, that you will imraediatelv 
lake such order in the premises as will present us at an early day with an expression of 
wishes and determination of your community. 

Very respectfully yours, 

Legrand Byington, Jas. McIntosh, 

Anson Hart, W. H. Henderson, 

Jas. Harlan, G. D. Palmer, 

Samuel Workman, Thos. Hughes, 

Correspon ding Committee. 

September 5, a response came back from Davenport in the form of the 

following resolutions, adopted in a public meeting at that place, viz: 

Resolved, That we concur with the people of Iowa City in the propriety 
of the iminediate surve}^ of the proposed road from Davenport to Iowa 
City, and that a committee of such number as the chairman of this meet- 
ing thinks advisable, be appointed to solicit subscriptions for that purpose, 
and correspond with the committee at Iowa City. 

Resolved, That we cordially approve the public spirit and enterprise of 
the citizens of Johnson county in their laudable efforts to immediately sur- 
vey and locate the route of a railroad from Davenport to Iowa City, and 
that we will do all that in our power lies to aid them in this great work. 

Judge Grant also wrote me an enthusiastic letter upon the subject, com- 
mencing as follows: 

Davenport, August 19, 1.S50. 

Legrand Byington, Esq.: — I don't know that an}- public demonstration 
m a long time has given me so much satisfaction, as your Iowa Cit}' meeting 
to build a railroad from that place to this. The best way in the world to 
accomplish any great thing is to go at it in earnest. 

In deference to rival projects already started by Lyons on the one side 
and Muscatine upon the other, an immediate survey and location of the 
Davenport and Iowa City line was deemed essential. Accordingly, the 
record shows: 

At a special meeting of the board of directors of the Davenport & Iowa 
City Railroad Company, called by the president, and held at Iowa City 
on the 21st of October, 1850, a quorum being present, it was, on motion, 

Resolved, That Legrand B3'ington be and he is hereby authorized and 
required to proceed to Davenport and Rock Island for tlie purpose of 
procuring stock, etc., in the Davenport & Iowa City Railroad Company, 



260 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

and the services of an engineer to commence an immediate survey of said 
road. James P. Carleton, President. 

H. W. Lathrop, Secretary. 

This journey to Davenport was made by myself and Dr.W. H. White, 
in a buggy, direct, by the w \\ of Moscow, occupying two and a half days 
(no house being then visible between Cedar river and Blue Grass, near 
Davenport), and resulted in the following contract, viz.: 

In consideration of the undertakings of the Davenport & Iowa City R. 
R. Company, hereinafter mentioned, I, Richard P. Morgan, of Kendall 
county, Illinois, agree with said company to make a survey and estimates 
of a railway route, upon the most practicable ground, from the town of 
Davenport, in Scott county, to Iowa City, in Johnson county, in Iowa. 
Said survey and estimates to be completed and a report thereof, accom- 
panied by the field notes and suitable maps or diagrams, to be made to 
said company on or before the tenth day of December next. In consider- 
ation whereof said company agree to pay to said Morgan, for said survey 
and estimates, after the same shall have been completed, the sum of four 
hundred dollars. Said surve}' is to be made b}' said Morgan with such 
care, judgment and accuracy that a locationof the bed of said road may be 
made thereon, and the right of way, with reasonable certainty, obtained 
upon the basis of such survey and location. In witness whereof, said com- 
pan3% by Legrand Byington, their authorized agent, and said Morgan, 
have hereunto set their hands this 26th day of October, 1850. 

The Davenport & Io^vA City R. R. Co. 

by Legrand Byington, Agent. 
Richard P. Morgan. 

Capital stock being minus, volunteer subscriptions were started to meet 
the expenses of this survey, and from one of them, now before me, I find 
the following " old settlers " down at an average of five dollars each, 
to-wit: 

Theodore Sanxay, Jesse Bowen, H. D. Downey, Eastin Morris, John 
Crummey, John Powell, Henry Murray, Isaac Bowen, Franklin Kimball, 
Jacob Ricord, G. Crosthwait, John M. Colman, Enoch Lewis, M. J. Mors- 
man, Legrand Byington, C. H. Berr3'hill, E. C. Lyon, Anson Hart, 
Samuel H. McCrory, John M. Kidder, Thos. H. Benton, Jr., Wm. All- 
man, A. H. Thompson, Peter Roberts, Morgan Reno. 

At this distance, the foregoing would seem to be the day of small things, 
but in the actual surroundings, and in the midst of the fierce war over the 
question of routes^ which raged for several years, it was the leverage 
which finally fixed the line of the existing Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific 
road, through Iowa City; for the tier of counties south of us were very 
active, on behalf of their rival line, and possessed decided advantages in 
much greater population and wealth, &c. 

This survey was completed and Col. Morgan made his report to me in 
November, 1850. It was printed as an eight page pamphlet, with an 
engraved map, showing the route and its future connections, and exten- 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 261 

sively circulated throughout the country, as far as New York and Boston. 
After detailing the local characteristics of the route, Col. Morgan says: 

If this railroad is considered simply as a medium to hasten the settle- 
ment of the country, it is quite plain that it will exercise an immense influ- 
ence, but it will also contribute to the wealth and progress of the State, 
with still more particular etfect, by forming the first division west of the 
Mississippi, of the great National Avenue, which is, eventually, to stretch 
across this immense continent. This first effectual impulse which is given 
to the rapid development of the resources of Iowa, will soon be followed 
by a second, which will not stop short of the Missouri. - * * 

There is another reason which militates greatly in favor of this route. It 
is exactly adapted for the extension westward of the Rock Island and Chi- 
cago railroad, to be connected at first by a ferry, but within a few years, 
by a high bridge across the Mississippi, opening an uninterrupted com- 
munication at all seasons ot the year, with the great system of railroads in 
Illinois and other States, and in consequence, establishing the Davenport 
and Iowa City railroad as part of the great national trunk railroad from 
the Atlantic by way of Council Bluffs, the Platte Valley and the South 
Pass to the Pacific. 

[It is interesting to note the prophetic forecast in this report, made 
thirty-two years ago, and then think how wonderfully it is now fulfilled.] 
Historian. 

May 25, 1853, it was announced, that preliminarv steps would be taken 
at Chicago, to organize a company to construct an east and west road 
through the State of Iowa, as an extension of the Rock Island line. 

In the midst of the fierce warfare upon routes, then raging, through 
newspaper and convention media, between rival towns, it was determined 
that Iowa City must be represented at this meeting, and be prepared to 
throw therein the best card for her line of road. Accordinglv, the Dav- 
enport & Iowa City company, the city council, and prominent citizens of 
the county, all took harmonious action, which resulted in the selection of 
Wm. Penn Clarke and myself, as delegates, clothed with plenary powers 
in the premises, — the great object being to secure Iowa City as a fixed 
point in the road that now loomed in the immediate future. 

The following are the credentials under which we acted: 

At a special meeting of the board of directors of the Davenport & Iowa 
City Railroad Company, held at their office of business in Iowa City, on 
the 20th day of May, A. D. 1853, a quorum (Messrs. Carleton, Byington, 
Murray, Morsman, Workman, Johnson and Lathrop), being present and 
the president in the chair. 

On motion, it was resolved, that in the final organization of the Missis- 
sippi & Missouri R. R. Co., or in any necessary proceedings preliminary 
or subsequent thereto, at the proposed meeting of the incorporators at 
Chicago on the 25th day of May, 1853, or at an}^ other suitable time and 
place, Legrand Bvington as the authorized agent of this company ma}' 
negotiate with said Mississippi & Missouri railroad company or any author- 
ized agent or committee thereof for the sale or transfer or surrender 
to said last named company of all the rights, franchises, property, stock 
and muniments belonging or appertaining to said Davenport & Iowa City 
railroad company, on condition that said Mississippi & Missouri railroad 
17 



262 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

company shall make Iowa City a point in the construction and operation 
of their railroad. James P. Carleton, Pres't. 

[L. S.] H . W. Lathtop, Sec'y. 

At a special meeting of the city council of Iowa City, called by the 
mayor, and held at their council chamber on the 20th day of May, A. D. 
1853, the mayor being absent, on motion of Alderman Snyder, H. W. 
Lathrop was chosen president _^ro tein and Aid. Van Fleet recorder ^r^ 
tem^ whereupon the iollowing resolutions were unanimously passed: 

Resolved., By the city council of Iowa City, that in the final organiza- 
tion of the Mississippi & Missouri railroad company or in any necessary 
proceedings preliminary or subsequent thereto at the proposed meeting of 
the corporators at Chicago, on the 25th day of May, A. D. 1S53, or at 
any other suitable time and place, Legrand Byington and Wm. Penn 
Clarke delegates to said meeting on behalf of the people of said Iowa City, 
are authorized in their discretion to subscribe to the capital stock of said 

company m the name of said Iowa City thousand dollars, 

upon condition that said city is made a point in said road by irrevocable 
order of the managing board of said railroad company, and upon further 
condition that said stock ihall be payable in the bonds of said city, bear- 
ing interest at the rate of per cent, per annum and subject to the 

approval of a majority vote of the electors of said city at an election which 
may be hereafter held for that purpose. 

Resolved furthe?-. That in the event of any subscription of stock being- 
made undur the terms of the foregoing resolution upon which any votes 
may be predicated to said Chicago meeting, the said Byington and Clarke 
arehereby authorized to cast the said stock votes for and in the name of 
said Iowa City. H. W. Lathrop, Vrtts. ^ro tern. 

John R. Van Fleet, Rec. p-o tern. 

[L. S.] Witness our hands and the seal of said city hereto attached 
this 20th day of May, A. D. 1853. 

To Chicago we went and there for three eventful and anxious days 
fought again the battle of the routes with the chosen men of Muscatine, 
Cedar Rapids and Burlington. The xMississippi & Missouri railroad 
company was organized, with some six hundred thousand dollars of capi- 
tal subscribed, mostly by Henry Farnum, T. C. Durant, Mr. Sheffield, 
Mr. Wolcott, Wm. B. Ogden, N. B. Judd, and some others, as principal 
stockholders and officers. 

These men professed to have money sufficient to build, indefinitely; and 
without then fixing any intermediate points, they gave us moral assurance 
that Iowa City should be upon the main line, but that Muscatine and 
Cedar Rapids must have branches, to keep them quiet and head ofT rival 
projects. They also astonished us their with pretentions,that they could build 
three lines through Iowa easier than one. 

Probably fearing that we could not very clearly demonstrate this latter 
proposition, they also determined that they would accompany us on our 
return to the state and make the thing clear to our people. 

Arrived at Iowa City, in a public meeting assembled, these railroad 
magnates unfolded their plans and honey-fugled as follows: 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 263 

1. They assumed to build the first division of the main line to Iowa 
City in two years. 

2. To extend a branch from Iowa City to the Minnesota line, through 
Cedar Rapids. 

3. To construct and operate another branch from Iowa City through 
Washington to the Missouri at St. Joseph. 

4. To pay all interest on county and city bonds issued until the road 
paid dividends at the rate of 10 per cent. 

In consideration whereof they required local stock subscriptions in 
money and bonds to the extent of $2,500 jier mile, estimated at one hun- 
dred and fory thousand dollars, and second, a gift of the right of way from 
the east line of the county to Iowa City. 

About thirty thousand dollars of individual subscriptions were then 
made by our citizens, and the propositions for county and city bonds were 
voted on and carried. 

The Lyons company, by a fraudulent ruse practiced upon Judge Lee, 
of which he was amply forewarned by jMessrs. Byington, Murray and 
others, got possession of their bonds, without doing any work of conse- 
quence; and the M. & M. company laid their last rail to Iowa City, by 
the light of burning tar barrels at midnight, on the last day of December, 
1855.' 

In anticipation of the event, a grand celebration had been inaugurated, 
and an illuminated card of invitation, sent broadcast over the land, of which 
a preserved copy, now before me, reads as follows, viz: 

GRAND RAILROAD FESTIVAL. 

Iowa City and the Atlantic cities connected by railway! The National 
Trunk road half completed to the Pacific! 

Iowa City, Dec. 18, 1855. 
You are respectfully requested to attend a celebration at Iowa City, of 
the opening of the Mississippi & Missouri railroad to the capital of Iowa, 
on Thursday, Jan. 3, 1856. We hand you, herewith, a card, which will 
serv^e you as a pass over the Chicago & Rock Island railroad, over the 
Mississippi & Missouri railroad to and from Iowa City, and to the hospital- 
ities ot our citizens. 

Legrand Byington, Geo. W. McCleary, 

H. D. Downey, Samuel Workman. 

H. W. Lathrop, R. H. Sylvester, 

Committee of Invitation. 

This festival occurred with many hundreds of guests from abroad, and 
thousands of delighted citizens, at the old capitol building, on the coldest 
day I ever experienced anywhere; and was closed with a feast and ball, 
under the auspices of Iowa City ladies of the olden time. 

So liberal had been the contributions to the reception festival that upon 
its brilliant close, the committee of management found themselves in pos- 
session of quite a surplus of cash, after all bills had been paid. 



264 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

At their final meeting the}^ enthusiastically resolved to appropriate this 
with the hearty assent of all the contributors, to an immediate re-inaugur- 
ation of a north and south road, to-wit: The old Dubuque and Keokuk, 
under another name. Accordingly we summoned the counties upon the 
line thereof, to a convention at Iowa City, and eflected the organization of 
the Iowa Union R. R. Co.^ the details and meagre results of which will 
require a separate chapter of this history. 

A short space of time elapsed, however, before the aspect of atfairs 
began to appear less encouraging. Dr. Murray, Col. Trowbridge, Sam. 
Workman and myself had obtained from the county judge, T. H, Lee, a 
solemn pledge that no bonds should be issued to the Lyons Central com- 
pany until the road was operated to Iowa City accordmg to stipulation, 
but he early succumbed to the influence of its champions, and the Adamses 
secretly and fraudulently fobbed $50,000, after doing a little surface work 
on the high knolls above town, and then "petered out," as most of us 
apprehended at the start. * 

[Remnants of this old skin-deep grade can still be seen (1882) on the 
Reno property, on Brown street between Linn and Gilbert streets; also 
in spots along on Brown street and out northeastward in Dewey's addi- 
tion. Remnants of the digging done for the first abutment of the pro- 
jecteii bridge are also still visible. This bridge, accordmg to the grad e 
established and the point fixed for crossing the river, would have had to 
be seventeen hundred feet long, from blut^ to bluff", and one hundred and 
fifty Jeet above the surface of the zi/«/er— which was a project of railroad 
bridge building so utterly preposterous and impracticable at that time, 
and especially by that company, that this fact alone showed the fraudu- 
lent character and the egregious folly and Umpudence of the whole 
scheme. Yet many good citizens were deceived by its flaming and high- 
sounding pretentions, for the county voted $.50,000 to it, by 407 majority. 
This was the tune they danced to, and this they -paid t lie fiddler ?\ — His- 
torian. 

The M. & M. company refused to allow the county or city any voice in its 
management, failed to inaugurate their promised branches, which were 
to contribute so largely to our prosperity — misapplied to private use the 
large earnings of the road, [hat had been pre-pledged to the payment of 
the bond interest — borrowed money on our credit, to make a sham divi- 
dend to favored stockholders (themselves) so as technically to escape their 
assumed liabilit}- for interest, and cast tiie burden upon county and city- 
exacted higher passenger and fi-eight rates, to and from river points, than 
stage coach and lumber wagon charges —and in every conceivable manner, 
evinced their settled purpose to bleed this community to the utmost extent 
possible, and especially to pocket the $i;W,000 of our stock, without con- 
ceding us any just equivalent therefor, either in accommodations or coin. 

Their contract bound them to finish their road into Iowa City by Jan- 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 265 

uary 1, 1856. Also, to apply its net ea''nln(Ts inviolately, to dividends on 
thejirst division thereof, (extendinf^ from Davenport to Iowa City) to meet 
interest so as to increase the value of the stock of that division. Instead 
thereof, they made their terminus outside of the town, for more than three 
years, and have perversely kept their depots there to this day — and have 
always used the revenues which were pledged to the interest fund, to pro- 
mote private coal-mining and hotel speculations, and to build plug roads 
in the State of Illinois. 

In a word, instead of managing to make our stock marketable at par 
and productive and self-sustaining, the purpose early became manifest and 
successful, to reduce it as near to a nonentity as possible, so that the Rock 
Island & Pacific Company (themselves in disguise) could gobble it up for 
less than a mere song. 

And when the apple was ripe they plucked it, in this way: 

Although the Rock Island road was doing the most profitable business 
of any road in the United States, with two exceptions, and its stock was 
at the head of the Wall street market — (away up to 30 premium) and 
although our "division " was earning as much, in proportion to cost, as the 
Rock Island, — and although the managers of the latter were principally 
owners of the former — they voluntarily defaulted in the payment of their 
mortgage bond interest, foreclosed against themselves, and bought in their 
own property, (and ours) for a few cents on the dollar. 

As debtors and sellers, they were the M. & M. Company — as creditors 
and purchasers, they were the C, R. I. & P. Company. As both, they 
were Tracy, Durant,' Farnum & Co., experts in Credit Mobilier swindling, 
obtaining large sums of other people's money for nothing. 

Whilst this interesting process was going on the city treasurer's books 
show that the hard-working people of Johnson county were paying more 
than seven thousand dollars a year, in the shape of interest to these sharks, 
to supply the place of the road earnings which belonged to us, but were 
purposely withheld, so as to destroy the marketable value of our stock, to 
suit their ulterior designs. 

Finally, the county government became restive, and cast about for effect- 
ual means of escape. Suits had been brought for delinquent interest, on 
the municipal bonds, and pettifogging defences upon such utterly insig- 
nificant technicalities as the non-appearance of the county seal upon cou- 
pons, had stuck us for considerable sums, but had left the merits of our 
cause untouched. Still, as was doubtless intended by the pettifoggers, 
or some of them, the ever odious doctrine of estoppel began to be mouthed 
in respect to the principal and remaining interest of these bonds. 

Two or three specimen facts may be appropriately stated here, to illus- 
trate the way in which Johnson county was always treated as a principal 
stockholder in this corporation. The bonds were issued about September, 
1858, in full payment of an equal amount of company stock, upon assur- 



266 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

ances that the company would pay the interest thereon, until dividends 
from road earnings equaled, interest. Nearly eleven years afterwards, and 
after the people had paid more than sixty thousand dollars of interest on 
the bonds, without receiving a cent of cash dividends, a special committee 
of the Board of Supervisors (S. H. Fairall and E. Carroll), were instructed 
to proceed to New York and sell the stock; and were compelled to report 
at the June session of 1864, that their mission was a total failure, because 
said stock had never been subject to the control of the county, and zvas then 
■wholly unavailable, for the reason that the certificates had been placed by 
the company " in the hands of one Flagg," who told the committee that he 
held them as if; ?«^^g for the bondholders! ! ! Johnson county had never 
appointed any such trustee, and knew nothing of the transaction! This 
" man Flagg," I take to be no other than Azariah C. Flagg, whom I well 
knew as treasurer of the M. & M. Company, and the shadow of Presi- 
dent Dix, and who had been a member of the aid "Albany regency " 
in the days of Marcy and Silas Wright — (see supervisor's record, book 1, 
page 396.) 

Four years afterwards, the mysterious embargo upon this stock seems 
to have been removed, for Edmonds & Ransom, railroad lawyers, gobbled 
it, at less than six cents to the dollar. 

The efforts of Johnson county to defend herself, in the multiplied suits 
brought on the railroad bonds, were entirely unsuccessful. Taxes and 
costs accumulated to such a fearful extent, that bankruptcy of the com- 
munity seemed inevitable. At the same time, the roads became more 
unconscionable in their tariffs and discriminations, whilst enjoying invidi- 
ous exemptions from equal taxation with the citizens upon their property. 

The Iowa courts — inimical at first — had at last reached a final decision, 
that these bonds were not within the commercial law, and that the levy of 
taxes to pay them, unauthorized by legislation, would be perpetually 
enjoined. Nevertheless, it was observed that the bondholders were stiff- 
ening in their demands, and that they could find purchasers for their bonds, 
even under the shadow of our own court house. Finally, the supervisors 
determined that they would not further levy, and the community, almost 
to a man declared that they would no longer pay. 

The process oi mandamus from the U. S. Circuit Court to compel the 
county boards to levy exorbitant taxes, was then invoked upon the one 
side; while measures were taken to enlist the legislature and judiciary of 
the State, upon the other. 

In the course of a decision, lately promulgated by our Supreme Court, [in 
1868] Mr. Chief Justice Dillon makes the following declarations in refer- 
ence to these bonds: 

"I believe the bonds are void — that there was no semblance oi pozuer to 
issue them — that there can be no such thing as an innocent holder of such 
paper — that it is the settled adjudication of this Court, having before it the 
question, as a Court of last resort for the State." 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 267 

Railroad bond matters worked along in this mysterious way, until the 
month of May, 1869, when the conspirators having everything in readi- 
ness, pounced down upon the non-lev^dng supervisors and city councilmen 
with a warrant for contempt, and took them bodily before the U. S. Cir- 
cuit Court at Des Moines. 

[Here Mr. B3dngton adds many personal and partisan matters, which 
we omit. But the upshot of it all was, that the board of supervisors went 
home and levied the railroad tax, (Byington says "a quarter of a million"), 
as required by the Federal Court.] — Historian. 

The cry then became universal that the payment of the taxes thus lev- 
ied, could not and should not be enforced. 

Mr. Cloud of Muscatine (who had been Attorney General), issued a 
programme of resistence, for the people of that county, who were in the 
same boat with us. Men of all occupations, and every persuasion, declared 
they would not voluntarily pay; and such was the pressure, that county 
treasurer Hershire announced that he would take no measures to enforce 
payment, or charge up delinquent interest. This feeling became conta- 
gious, and spread to nearly every county in eastern and central Iowa. 
Among others ex-Governor Kirkwood put himself upon record, in sev- 
eral masterly essays, in which he upheld the non-tax-payers' purposes with 
the most irrefragable arguments. 

[S^e article headed wrestling with the railroads.] 

From this time until after the ensuing session of the legislature, the bond 
battle raged all along the line with unabated fury. 

In a foot note in his history, dated June 18, 1874, Mr. Byington says: 

Note. — Mr. county treasurer Swisher certifies to me that from the 
manner in which the books of his office were kept, he cannot, without 
immense labor, ascertain the amount of levies for railroad bonds previous 
to 1869, but that for '69, '70, '71, '72 and '73 the county levies for that pur- 
pose aggregate $228,093.64, and the city levies, same years, amount to 
$82,814.67. Total for five years, tht'ee hundred and ten thousand nine hun- 
dred and eight dollars ! 

Note by the Historian. — This historian found the same difiiculties 
which Mr. Swisher alludes to, in trying to get hold of connected, system- 
atic and complete data in regard to the railroad impositions practiced upon 
the county. They are not to be found; but the people had to -pay the 
money, all the same. Johnson county, in common with manv others, has 
suffered the gravest and deepest wrongs through the greed and chicanery 
of railroad speculators, who took advantage of the trusting eagerness of 
the people to do anything that was proposed which promised to secure 
them a railroad. Johnson county, or more especially Iowa City, seems 
always to have had more " leading men " to the square acre than was 
healthy for her; hence they jostled and crowded and elbowed each other 
to death, while some were blind leaders of the blind, and leader and led 



'2QS HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

all fell into the railroad ditch together. Some had political or financial 
axes to grind for themselves; some were ignorant or stupid in such mat- 
ters, and easily used as tools by others; some were enthusiasts, over-zeal- 
ous, over-contident, and missed their aim; some were jaundiced, sour, 
suspicious, oft-ox sort of men, always croakinor and hindering; some were 
narrow, short-sighted, pig-headed, but honest; some were cunning and 
far-reaching plotters for personal gain; some were pubHc-spirited, dis- 
creet, and true to the public trust reposed in them. But each is accused 
of being to hiame for some swindle upon the county, or the loss of some 
railroad which Iowa City paid for but never got. We will " never, never 
tell," the dozen or more names which have been given us confidentially 
as the particular scape-goat of the county or city's woe in particular cases. 
We assume that each man did what he thought at the tmie would be 
best. But of course when a man in public position makes a big mistake, 
though perfectly honest in his intention, the whole community suffers by 
it. An honest mistake can be forgiven, for the best and wisest are liable 
to err in judgment; but for complotters,connivers or perpetrators of fraud, 
LET NO GUILTY MAN ESCAPE, in Johnson county. 



CHAPTER III.— PART 3. 



FINANCIAL HISTORY. 
First Tax List, 1838— First Taxes Collected, 1839— First County Orders— Financial 
Reports— A Loan Voted— A Lost Record— Financial Troubles in 1861, Etc.— Statistics 
of 1881— Finances in 1881-'82. 

FIRST TAX LIST OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

The capital of Wisconsin Territory was in 1837 the same as now— the 
city of Madison. But the act to organize Johnson county was passed at a 
special session of the Wisconsin Territorial legislature, held at Burlington, 
[then in Wisconsin Territory] commencing June 11, 1838. 

Johnson county had been formed or designated as to name and bounda- 
ries, by an act of the Wisconsin Territorial legislature, approved Decem- 
ber 21, 1837; but it was not "organized," or given a system of county 
government of its own, until the act passed at the Burlington special ses- 
sion above mentioned had taken effect. Meanwhile, it was nominally 
under the authority of Cedar county, or "attached to Cedar county for 
civil purposes," Accordingly, the sheriff of Cedar county, James W. 
Tallman, brought the tax Hst for 1838 to S. C. Trowbridge, deputy sher- 
iff of Johnson county, for collection, the business of assessing and collect- 
ing taxes being at that time part of the public duties devolving on sheriffs. 
While looking up the men named in this list, Trowbridge had the special 
object secretly in view, of showing to the legislature that Johnson coimty 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 269 

had enough population to entitle it to be organized as a civil jurisdiction 
by itself; hence the hunt for noses to count was made very thorough, for 
home use, but no names were reported to the Cedar county authorities 
ex'cept those who had some taxable personal property. There could not 
be any real estate tax, for no man had yet obtained title to his land claim. 
But the people of Johnson knew that they were soon to be in shape to 
"run their own machine," and they were not willing to pay in as taxes a 
lot of money to be carried oft' to the cofters of Cedar county. Hence that 
tax was never collected. However, the list as made out, has a rare his- 
toric value, for it shows who were property owners in Johnson county at 
that time, being the first tax list that was ever made here; it shows what 
personal property and live stock there was in the county then, and what val- 
uation was put upon them. We are indebted to Col. Trowbridge for the 
use of the original paper in the handwriting of Robert G. Roberts, clerk 
of Cedar county, which he had preserved among his own private relics of 
the pioneer days ; and here we print it for preservation as a choice bit of 
Johnson county history. It has never been published before : 



270 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 



TAX LIST OF JOHNSON COUNTY, PREPARED IN MAY, 1838, BY AUTHORITY 
OF JAMES W. TALLMAN, SHERIFF OF CEDAR COUNTY, WISCONSIN 

TERRITORY . 



proprietor's name 


Value of house- 
hold goods and 
merchandise. 


3 K! 
> be 

-a .5 


■a 
a 

03 

o 
o 

'^^ 
O 

6 


Mi 5i 
OJ 

c >-. 

t? CO 




ID 

a 

> 
3 

CB 

d 


CO 

t-i 


00 

m i~ 






OI 
3 

> 

. C 
1" 


03 

3 

is 


^ 

5=3 


a; 
a 

^ 
2hco 


p 
5. 

a (js 

ii 


CO 

<u 
X 

03 

«-i 

fl 
3 


g 


Wheten Chase 

Philip Clark 

Wm. C. Massey 

Wm. Devall 


$ 200 
50 
50 


10 

8 


$ 375 
200 




■I •• 


3 
3 


1 


195 
35 






1 
1 
1 


1 30 

10 

5 


$ .. 




$725 00 
245.00 

43.00 
350.00 
455.00 
105.00 

75.00 
265.50 
167.00 
230.00 
358.50 
828.50 
248.50 

50.00 
'"45 00 


1 3.63 
1.23 


1 


18 


20 




22 


10 

8 
2 

2 
8 


350 

285 
80 
75 

200 


1.75 


Benjamin Miller. . . 
Nathaniel Fellows. 


60 
50 


4 
1 


80 
25 


1 


50 


1 


6 








4 


2.28 








.53 


Thomas Bolster. . . . 


















.38 


Yale Hamilton. . . . 
Jacob Witter 


50 

100 
60 
50 

200 
60 
50 
20 
30 
60 
50 
50 

125 
75 
50 

175 
40 


2 
o 


40 
40 


i 

1 

2 

i 


'" 75 
40 

'"'18O 

"30 


i 


16 








3 

2 


1.33 

.84 


William Ward 


6 
10 
14 

8 


190 
325 
455 
200 








1.15 


James W. Massey. . 
Pleasant Harris. . . . 
Jacob Earhart 


1 
3 

2 
1 


25 
75 
40 
20 


1 


io 


i 


"20 




1 
3 
1 


1.79 
4.14 
1.24 


Joel Dowd 






.25 


Jas. S. Wilkinson. . 
Elias Secor 


7 
4 
6 
2 
6 
2 
8 
4 
8 
4 
2 
4 
4 
1 
5 
6 
5 


245 
100 
150 

50 
180 

60 
200 
160 
300 
120 

60 
200 
100 

30 
150 
170 
110 














1 23 






















100.00 

98.50 

83.50 

292.00 

175.50 

302.50 

227.00 

536.00 

120 00 

60.00 

230.50 

234.00 

97.00 

227.00 

363.50 

290.00 


.50 


Elijah Parsons 


2 
1 
3 

2 

4 


40 
25 
60 
40 
60 
40 
80 
















1 
1 
2 
3 
5 
2 
1 


.49 


Salem Taylor 

Robert Walker 






1 


■ ■ 
10 

io 








.42 
1.46 


Isaac N. Lesh 

John Mortbrd 

Joseph Weaver. . . . 

Joseph Stover 

Samuel Walker. . . . 
James Walker 












.88 
1.51 
1.14 


2 


80 








2.68 












.60 
.30 


John Smith 

John A. Cain 


60 

75 
60 


1 
2 

1 
1 
3 

1 


22 
35 
20 
20 
60 
20 


'2 

1 
1 
2 
1 


'55 
30 
50 
100 
70 


1 


io 








1 
4 

2 

"5 


1.15 

1.17 


Geo. W. Hawkins. . 








.49 


Wm. Sturgis 






1 


7 




1.14 


Wm. Kelso 


50 
50 


1.82 


David Sweet 

Wm. Howe* 










100 


1.45 


Michael Ritter 


50 

" " 75 
40 
50 


4 
4 
4 
6 

8 


130 
130 
120 
150 
170 


1 
'2 


25 
40 






1 


10 








1 


173.50 
140.00 
177.00 
150.00 
375 00 


.87 


Benjamin Ritter... 
John McLucas 






1 


10 




.70 




2 


.89 


Abraham A. Street 
















.75 


Green Hill 


2 


40 


1 


75 


1 


10 






70 


1 


1.88 


Henrv Felkner* 




Eli Myers 




16 


480 














1 


10 






490.00 


2.46 


John Gilbert* 








Total 






























.$46.74 



♦Property not listed. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 271 

In addition to what is printed in the foregoing table, Robert Walker had 
five hogs, valued at $25; Joseph Stover had one horse under three years 
old; and Wm. Kelso the same. 

It is singular to note that for some reason or other Sheriff Tallman did 
not put Samuel C, Trowbridge's name on the above list. 

FIRST TAXES COLLECTED. 

The first collected tax list for Johnson county was made by S. C. Trow- 
bridge, county assessor, appointed by the board of county commissioners, 
April 1, 1839, and was based upon the assessment of personal property 
only, for territorial purposes, as no one had any title to land then, other 
than " squatter's claims.'* The following is a list of all the taxpayers in 
the county at the time of the assessment, May, 1889, together with the 
amount assessed against each person. The rate of levy upon this assess- 
ment was fixed by the board of county commissioners at its meeting July 
1, 1839, thus: 

Ordered by the Court: That the rates per cent to be laid for tax should 
be one half per cent on the dollar: 

Green Hill, 1123; Charles Jones, 559; John I. Burge, 215; Joseph Stover, 
600; Jonathan Harris, 182; John Eagan, 325; Joseph Eagan, 50; Asby D. 
Packard, 5; Joel Dowell, 97; John Williams, 10; Robert Walker, 313; 
Yale Hamilton, 205; Peter Crum, 33; John Trout, 175; WiUiam Ward, 
324; Stephen Brown, 10; Thomas B. Mulholland, 10; John A. Sweet, 
170; John Moore, 50; Stephen Chase, 60; Knight & Wilson, 450; Eben- 
ezer, Douglass, 294; Wheton Chase, 588; William C. Massey, 85; Henry 
Hart, 85; John Mortbrd, 228; John G. Coleman, 34; Samuel Walker, 302: 
Joseph Walker, ]10;|James Walker, Q^\ William Kelso, 414; James 
Magruder, 15; David Sweet, 249; William Sturgis, 168; George W. 
Hawkins, 95 ; Isaac McCorkle, 242 ; William Wolef, 180 ; Henry G. Reddout, 
10; John Gardner, 42; William M. Harris, 10; Pleasant Harris, 577; 
Henry Earhart, 10; Abner Wolcott, 6; Allen Baxter, 10; David Switzer, 
462; Samuel Sprague, 31; James L. Wilkinson, 70; Jacob Earhart, 427; 
John Earhart, 67; Nathaniel McClure, 374; Lewis Ranzhan, 287; James 
Smith, 280; John Royal, 35; Eliza Seacor, 179; William Morris, 212; 
James Seaborn, 443; McPherson Davis, 332; Josiah Davis, 114; Charles 
H. Berryhill, 400; Isaiah P. Hamilton, 50; William Brown, 128; Thomas 
B. Brown, 60; James Duglass, 160; John Shoup, 5; Benjamin Miller, 373; 
Patrick Smith, 21; William Dupont, 435; John Hawkins, 220; Mrs. Mary 
Ann Dennis, 65; John N. Headly, 281; Jonathan Sprague, 349; John 
Guilor, 311; Alonzo'C. Dennison, 230; Joseph Dennison, 170; George L. 
Dennison, 190; Addison^Chapman, 50; Martin Harless, 262; Jesse McCart, 
205; Nathaniel Fellows, 103; John Mathews, 436; Elijah Hurley, 11; 
James Harden, 281, John Morris, 235; William Jones, 333; Eli Myers, 
175; Harry Tyman, 122; Jesse McGrew, 431; Abner Arrowsmith, 244; 
Samuel Conlogue, 180; Warren Stiles, 445; Josiah Lyman, 50; Jahial 



272 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Park, 169; Presley and Lewis Conley, 370; Warren Spurrier, 78; Daniel 
Slone, 88; Andrew Binegal, 15; Marge Bellbrd, 225; Ebenezer M. Adams, 
150; Peliezene C. Brown, 120; Thomas B. Prague, 95; John Agy, 85; 
John Rickman, 20; James Buchanan, 325; Isaac V. Dennis, 30; Samuel B. 
Trotter, 40; Allen C. Sutlift; 335; Thomas Maxwell, 35; Thomas G. 
Lockhart, 407 ; Samuel M. Lockhart, 290; Benona Haskin, 50; Thomas 
Fitz, 15; Thomas Ford, 1()5; Elias Rogers, 155; Wiley Fitz, 35; Henry 
Rogers, 110; William McGinnis, 25; David A. Burns, 40; Isaac Cox, 20; 
John S. Hollar, 275; Abner States, 20; Elijah Cox, 24?; Edwin Brown, 
55; Orestes Lovett, 100; Robert Mathews, 301 ; Isaac Bowen, 365; John 
Parrott, 545; Phihp Clark, 570: William Morford, 125. 

The foregoing list contains 128 names, each of whom reckoned as the 
head of a family, would, in the ratio of five to each family, give a popula- 
tion of 640. It will be observed that the highest assessment was given to 
Joseph Stover, $600, upon which he paid a tax of three dollars; and the 
lowest assessment v^as given to Asby D. Packard, five dollars, upon 
which he paid a tax of two cents and a half. The record — two sheets of 
foolscap paper, musty and browned in the lapse of forty-three years, shows 
that the tax was closely collected, every amount being marked paid except 
three; eleven marked removed out of the county, and four — ^Benona Has- 
kins, Thomas Fitz, Thomas Ford and David A. Burns, were found to be 
over the line in Linn county. The tax was collected by John Eagan, 
deputy under Sheriff Trowbridge, and the aggregate amount on the list 
is shown by the following return: 

Amount on duplicate for 1839, one hundred and thirteen dollars and 
fifty-five cents. 

John Eagan, Deputy Collector, J. C. 

This is supplemented by the following: "Duplicate of taxes for 1839. 
Settled satisfactory to us. 

Henry Felkner, J 

Philip Clark, >- County Commissioners. 

Abner Walcott, ) 
Attest: Luke Douglass, Clerk B, C. C. 
Iowa City, Jan. 7, 1840. 

first money orders. 

On the first organization of the county its public business and expendi- 
tures was managed by a board of three county commissioners; and the 
following is the first money order ever issued, and the first bill ever paid 
by Johnson county, for the services of a county officer: 

No. 1. — Treasurer of the county of Johnson pay to Samuel C. Trow- 
bridge, forty-three dollars out of any money in the treasury not otherwise 
appropriated, as remuneration for services rendered at the commissioners' 
court, and for summoning venires of grand and pettit jurors in and for the 
county of Johnson. By order of the board of county commissioners, 
issued this 20th day of June, 1839. 

$43.00 " Luke Douglass, C. B. C. C. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 273 

On motion of Henry Felkner, the eagle side of a ten cent piece was to 
be used for a county seal until further orders. 

By a new law known at the time as "Mason's Code," the system of 
county business was changed from the board of three commissioners to a 
judgeship, or county court, consisting of one man elected for* the purpose. 
This law took effect in 1851, and the first financial transaction of Johnson 
county, under this sj'^stem was the following: 

No. 1. Office of County Judge, Iowa City, Aug., IS, 1851. 

State of Iowa, Johnson county, ss: 

The treasurer of Johnson county will pay to Peter Ewing, two dollars 
and fifty cents out of any money in the county treasury, not otherwise 
appropriated. 

— — Given under my hand, with the seal of the said county 

i ^ I ) of Johnson, hereunto affixed. 

i ' \ F. H. Lee, County Judge. 

The next change in the mode of county government for Iowa was to 
abolish the judgeship and adopt the system of electing one supervisor 
from each township. This gave Johnson county a court or parliament of 
twenty members to transact its public business. The first money order 
issued by this new body was the following: 

No. 1. State of Iowa, Johnson County, ] 

Office of Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, i 

Feb. 2, A. D. 1861. 

The treasurer of Johnson county will pay to James Fogg or bearer, 
eleven and twenty-eight one-hundredths dollars, out of any money in 
the county treasury, not otherwise appropriated. By order of the board 
of supervisors. Witness my hand and seal of this office hereunto aflixed. 

H. E. Brown, Clerk. 

This system of coanty government proved too expensive and cumber- 
some; and in a few years the law was changed so as to have only three 
supervisors, the same as at first; but afterwards two more were added, 
making a board of five, and that is the law we are now working under. 
COUNTY finances. — 1841-42. 

The first published report of the county finances found in the old news- 
paper files, was tjie following; which is valuable to compare with the 
amassed bulkiness of similar reports for 1881-82: 
Staiement of Receipts and Expenditures for the County of fohnson^ from 

the 1st day of Aprils 184.1, to the jd day of May, 184.2. 

receipts. 

Received from merchants and peddlers $ 341.39 

" " grocers 611.33 

" fines 253.24 

" " ferry and auction licenses 30.00 

" '• supervisors of roads 80.79 

" collector revenue for 1841 1,193.01 



Total , $ 2,509.96 



^74 HISTORV OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

EXPENDITURES. 

For county and territorial roads $ 393.87 

For criminal prosecutions 412.20 

For constables, bailiffs, and witnesses 39.28 

For stationery, room rent, furniture, &c 207.63 

For clerks of district, and commissioners' court 155.81 

For sheriff " " 167.17 

For expenses of elections 79.14 

For wolf scalps 103.00 

For support of the poor 239.59 

For pay of county commissioners 243.71 

For treasurer's fees and charges 94.45 

For assessing the revenue 130.56 

For recorder for transcribing deeds, &c 67.87 

For printing 40.00 

For lawyers for counsel, &c 25.00 

For coroner's inquests 33.75 

For R. P. Lowe, prosecuting attorney 300.00 

For pay of supervisors 22.65 

For outstanding orders on the 1st of April, 1841 751.31 



Total $3,506.99 

John Parrott, James Cavanagh, Philip Clark, 

Conwi/ssioners. 
Attest: S. B. Gardner, Clerk, 

VOTE FOR A COUNTY LOAN OF $15,000. 

On June 28, 1858, a vote was taken to decide: 

Whether the county shall borrow the sum of fifteen thousand dollars, at 
a rate of interest not exceeding ten per cent per annum, to pay indebted- 
ness of the county, and also to aid in the erection of the new court house 
and jail, and also authorizing the levy of a tax within the limits prescribed 
by law, upon the taxable property of said county, to pay the principal and 
interest of said loan in ten years from the date thereof. 

The following table shows the result of the vote by townships: 

Township. ^f^^''^ ,tsf°'t 

' Loan. the Loan. 

Iowa City 601 13 

Big Grove 44 3 

Cedar 5 17 

Clear Creek 17 7 

Fremont 10 47 

Graham 24 12 

Hardin 17 4 

Jefferson 29 1 

Liberty 29 2 

Monroe 11 36 

Newport 18 10 

Oxford 25 7 

Penn 39 25 

Pleasant Valley 1 38 

Scott 23 5 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. ii75 

Sharon 19 T 

Union 21 

Washington . . 18 39 

Total 951 273 

Majority for loan and tax, 678. 

A LOST RECORD. 

Theology has its " Lost tribes of Israel," history has its "lost arts," and 
Johnson county has its "lost record " — or, more properly, hasii't got it — 
for the record of county board proceedings from Dec. 31, 1859, to Jan. 7, 
1861, are entirely missing and cannot be found. And at the same time 
there is some crookedness in the matter of county treasurer's books. In 
1861 Mr. J. W. Stow was appointed a special committee to investigate 
the matter. Meanwhile the state auditor made inquiry after the "miss- 
ing link" in the chain of statistics and revenues that serve to hold county 
and state governments in vital unity. On Sept. 3, 1861, Mr. Stow made 
a report, from which we extract such parts as show the main points of 
historic value: 

" Your committee asked from the present treasurer the books Mr. 
Hughes kept during his term of office, but was informed by Mr. Sperry 
that no such record existed. The only books kept by Mr. Hughes were 
claimed by him as private property, and removed by him upon the expir- 
ation of his term of service. The neglect to keep a full and accurate 
account of the county finances in books permanently deposited in the 
county treasurer's office, has made the examination and adjustment 
required by the auditor a matter of great difficulty, and in some respects, 
an impossibility. 

The following is what your committee gathered from the examination, 
and the abstract now annexed is the same in substance as that sent to the 
state auditor as the best that could now be furnished: 

Thomas Hughes, treasurer of Johnson county, Iowa, in account with the 
State of Iowa on state revenue: 

DEBTOR. 

To cash received from Gardner (probably nothing). 

" lew of 1855 state tax $ 4,408.40 

" " ■' " 1856 " " 6,285.85 

" " " 1857 " " 11,669.19 

" " " 1858 " " 8,281.73 

« " " 1859 " " 7,255.63 

" Additional assessments in 1855-56-57-58-59 95.13 

" Interest received during term 

" Amount received from peddlers' licences 

" " " " sale of laws 

" " of state revenues from other sources 

{IVote. — There is no possible way of knowing anything respecting 
these last items except through Mr. Hughes, no records of such receipts 
being kept in the office. Your committee applied to Mr. Hughes for 
these items, but he stated that he could not furnish them. Your commit- 



276 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

tee knows of no way in which the amount properly chargeable to Hughes 
from these sources can be known.) 

CREDIT. 

By unavailable taxes of 1855 $ 105.01 

« " " « 1856 176.62 

Delinquent taxes of ] 857 838.47 

" " 1858 1,939.92 

" " 1859 6,663.81 

Treasurer's receipts for payments made 

Auditor's mileage certificates 

Refunded for erroneous assessment 

Cash paid to successor 

As before stated, the foregoing has been forwarded to the auditor of 
state as the best statement practicable. 

A. J. Hershire [now editor of the State Press\^ was county treasurer 
from 1869 to 1873; and auditor from 1875 to 1879. He took pains while 
in office to gather up and preserve in proper order all the loose papers 
and records of county business that he could find. He found such papers 
tucked away in pigeon-holes and on shelves without any classification or 
labels; also found a Jot that had been thrown into the wood-box and lain 
there for months or years as waste paper, but which, on examination con- 
tained matters quite important to the public records, and that had not 
been copied or preserved anywhere. But he could never find any clue to 
that "lost record" of the county business transacted during the year 1860. 

For many years the county business was done in such chance rooms as 
could be hired for the different officers. There were no vaults or safe 
storage provided for the books. The offices were occasionally moved; 
and there were several changes made in the laws governing county offices 
— such as changing from three commissioners to the one county judge sys- 
tem, and then changing back again; also, combining the duties of treas- 
urer and recorder, up to 1864, and then separating them; and combining 
the duties of county judge and auditor from 1851 till 1869, when the com- 
missioner or supervisor svstem was restored, and the separate office of 
auditor established. It is, therefore, not surprising that confusion worse 
confounded should have crept into some parts of this humpty-dumpty sort 
of management, and also of the official records pertaining to it. The loss 
of the county business records of 1860 was probably purely accidental, 
though from gross neglect or carelessness, for there was nothing in them 
from which an^^one could gain pecuniar}'^ benefit by their destruction. But 
the case of the missing treasury records of course was different. 

And in addition to the above cases, the entire record of county tax sales, 
from the beginning up to 1860-61, was feloniously purloined from the 
court house, and has never been recovered. One supposition is that it was 
taken and destroyed by irate parties whose property had been sold for 
taxes, and they thought thus to prevent consummation of tax title. 
Another supposition is that some one or more snide lawyers did it, because 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 277 

its loss would make oceans of tax-title litigation, whereby they might 
profit. As to which is which, we can only say, in the language of the 
reliable colored gentleman, "you pays your money ^and you takes your 
choice." 

FINANCIAL TROUBLES IN 1861. 

On June 6, 1861, the following report was made by the committee on 
finance : 

Your committee were instructed to determine and report the amount 
and condition of the county indebtedness, both of a funded and floating 
character, and recommend such measures as they may deem expedient for 
its gradual liquidation. 

In the discharge of this duty, they find that the outstanding warrants 
upon the county treasury, on the first day of June, 1861, amount to the sum 

of $16,354 36 

Judgment of McKee vs. County, 2,413 85 

" W. Penn Clarke vs. County 600 00 

$19,368 21 

There is besides this an unadjusted indebtedness of the count}^, which 
your committee cannot now report — a part of which indebtedness will be 
audited by the board at its present session. 

The funded debt of the county consists of bonds issued 

to the M. & M. R. R. Co., $ 50,000 00 

To the Lyons I. C. R. R., 50,000 00 

Bonds for court house buildings, 15,000 00 

Making the entire liabilities of the county amount to the 

serious sum of $134,368 21 

The assets of the county consist of swamp lands unsold 925 00 

Amount due from the United States for swamp lands 

sold 30,775 00 

[Note. — These figures are derived from the state- 
ment of the county judge, submitted to the board at its 
last regular session.] 
Delinquent county taxes to 1st inst., estimated, 10,000 00 

$41,700 00 
Excess of liabilities over available assets, $92,668 21 

The railroad stock held by the county, as well as the real estate belong- 
ing to the county, are not included in this estimate, being evidently una- 
vailable for the purposes of this exhibit. 

How this board is to provide for the gradual extinction of this ponder- 
ous indebtedness, a:nd at the same time reduce the present high rate of 
taxation, is a question difficult of solution. The accruing interest of this 
debt, together with the heavy annual expenses of the county, are of them- 
selves serious demands upon the county revenue. This will be more 
apparent, when it is seen that the assessed value of the taxable property 
of the county for this year, is only $4,626,251.00, which will, if subjected 
to the highest rate of taxation allowable by law for county purposes, only 
18 



278 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTV. 

vield a revenue of $18,500.00 per annum. Just what proportion of this 
revenue will be absorbed by the ordinary expenses of the county, your 
committee cannot now determine, havinj^ no reliable data upon which to 
base an estimate, which would be approximately reliable. The following 
abstract derived from the books of the county judge, will serve to show 
something bearing upon that point, but will, we trust, be no index to the 
future wants of the county. 

From the 15th of September, 1859, to the 1st of January, 1861, a period 
of 15^ months, there was expended from the county treasury 

For grand and petit jury fees, $ 5,(>89 83 

" witness fees, 630 30 

" Attorneys' fees 808 35 

" costs in criminal suits, 625 55 

" sheriff's and deputy's fees, 1,487 35 

" expense of keeping prisoners, 1,329 25 

Total judicial expenses, 10,520 63 

During the same period there was paid 

For support of paupers 5,833 57 

" salaries of county officers 6,074 23 

" stationer}', printing, etc, 2,938 15 

" court house purposes, building, repairs, etc., 5,269 87 

" establishment of roads, 1,098 72 

" expenses of election, 481 21 

" • " " county assessment, 758 65 

" miscellaneous purposes, 2,834 05 

Total expenditures, $35,809 08 

While your committee are of the opinion that it will be quite practicable 
to reduce the expenditures of the county very greatly below the sum 
above stated, they cannot hide from themselves the fact that under the 
most economical administration, the expenses of the county must be of 
necessity very heavy, nor can they perceive how these expenses are to be 
provided for, and any reduction of the county indebtedness effected, except 
by retaining the highest rate of taxation permitted by law. 

Certain it is that as long as the county warrants are current only at a 
discount of 15 to 20 per cent., your committee do not feel at Hberty to rec- 
ommend any reduction in the rate of taxation. Yet, while forced to this 
unpleasant conclusion, your committee deem it due to the public that a full 
explanation of the difficulties, which forbid such a reduction should be 
given. In view of these facts, your committee recommend the levy of four 
mills on the dollar for county purposes; and, in this connection, would 
express the belief that the continuance of this rate, coupled with the most 
rigid economy in the administration of our financial affairs, will tend to the 
creation of a sinking fund for the gradual extinction of the floating indebt- 
edness of the county. In the meantime, the tax ridden citizens of Johnson 
count}^ must endeavor to console themselves with the reflection that while 
continuing to bear this heavy load of taxation, they are gradually escap- 
ing from a no less onerous burden of debt. 

The only sources to which the committee can direct the attention of the 
board, as affording any hope of relief from the funded indebtedness of the 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 279 

county, are the delinquent taxes and the swamp land fund already alluded 
to. The estimated value of these assets is $J:1,700.00, and to these sources 
the committee would invite the attention of the board. 

With respect to the delinquent taxes, your committee would say that, 
althouf^h the apparent amount of these is much greater than is herein 
reported, the committee for various reasons do not dare to estimate them 
worth more than the sum named by them. The committee deem it espe- 
cially important that some action should be taken for the adjustment and 
recovery of the swamp land fund supposed to be due from the govern- 
ment. That this will be a work of some difficulty, your committee do not 
doubt. The tedious details necessary for the proper presentation of the 
claim to the department at Washing-ton, require exact knowledge and the 
utmost care in preparation, or vexatious delays and perhaps final loss may 
be the result. As your committee are aware that proposals for the recov- 
ery of this fund will be made to the board, they abstain from any specific 
recommendations. 

The total delinquent taxes of the year 1860, amount to the sum of ^22,- 
893.82. This large delinquency is doubtless due to the monetary difficul- 
ties which afflict us in common with the whole west. Your committee 
fear that the collection of this delinquency will be a matter of great diffi- 
culty, and that the usual resort of tax sales will not be available for this 
purpose. The experience of former years also teaches us that unless extra 
efforts are made, much of the personal tax of the county will be lost. In 
view of these facts, and that also by a resolution of this board, a special 
deputy of the treasurer was charged with the duty of collecting the delin- 
quent taxes of the years 1857-8-9, and that in the discharge of this duty, 
such deputy will be compelled to visit every portion of the county, your 
committee are of the opinion that this affords a good opportunity for the 
collection of such dehnquent personal tax, without increased expense to 
the county. They therefore recommend the adoption of the following- 
resolution : 

32. Resolved^ That the county treasurer be and hereby is requested 
to cause to be prepared a list of all delinquent personal taxes of the levy of 
1860, and that the special deputy provided by this board for the collection 
of the delinquent taxes of 1857-8-9, be charged with the duty of collecting 
the same under the supervision of the county treasurer. Adopted. 

In addition to the lev}^ for county purposes, your committee would 
recommend the levying of a general fund school tax of one mill, a railroad 
tax of one mill, and township school tax as requested by the various town- 
ships in the communications herewith submitted. 

M. L. Morris, S. H. McCrory, J. W. Stow, 

Committee. 

June 6, 1863, the committee on delinquent taxes reported: 

Your committee in presenting this report would suggest that some 
method ought to be adopted by which the tax books may be kept in a 
more intelligible manner. Your committee confess that in their opinion a 
is not in the power of any man or number of men to make out a strictly 
correct list of the delinquent taxes of Johnson county. 



280 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

REPORT OF WARRANTS OUTSTANDING AND CASH BALANCE IN TREASURY 

JUNE 5, 1864. 

ORDINARY WARRANTS. 

Outstanding $ 601.95 

Claims audited and not paid 680.73 

Balance 3,247.87 

By cash in treasury $4,530.65 

RELIEF FUND WARRANTS. 

Outstanding $5,000.00 

Cash in treasury 82.40 

Balance outstanding $4,717.60 

BOUNTY WARRANTS OF 1862. 

Cash in treasury $2,115.52 

Outstanding 2,000.00 

Balance cash in treasury $ ] 15.52 

Bounty warrants of 1864 outstanding $ 165.01 

Free bridge warrants outstanding $ 239.80 

Warrants issued from Jan. 1, 1864, to June 1, 1864 $5,598.31 

CASH BALANCES IN THE TREASURY. 

State revenue $1,070.70 

County revenue 4,530.65 

Temporar}^ school fund 577.48 

Railroad fund 98.28 

Township road fund 2,291.16 

Permanent school fund 7,687.02 

Poor house fund 15.28 

County road fund 58.98 

Interest on bond fund 341.02 

McKee judgment 23.10 

War fund 23.08 

Federal revenue fund 456.74 

Lyons railroad fund 18.36 

Free bridge fund 8.19 

Bounty fund 2,115.52 

Relief fund 282.40 

Insane hospital fund 249.22 

Dictionary fund ." 44.00 

Temporary school fund interest on notes 1,028.17 

Judgment fund 442.16 

Contingent school fund 182.48 

Teachers' fund 707.70 

District fund 480.51 

Total $22,743.28 

REPORT OF RELIEF AGENT. 

To the Board of Suf)crvisors of yohnson county, loxva: 
Since your meeting of January, I have disbursed eight thousand, sixty- 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 281 

one dollars and twenty-seven cents to 243 families, in all about 1,000 per- 
sons, an average of $33.17 to the family, an increase of about $13 to the 
family. 

Amount received from county treasurer $8,000.00 

Amount on hand Jan. 4, 1864 176.96 

Cash disbursed on orders $7,630.00 

Discount on orders 270.00 

Services at 2 per cent 161 .27 

Balance on hand 115.69 

Total $8,176.96 $8,176.96 

I would recommend as the better policy, the issue of bonds for the pur- 
pose of replenishing of the fund, as the discount on the relief warrants is 
4-| per cent., which, with the 6 per cent, interest, amounts to 10^ per cent., 
and money can now be had on county bonds at 8 per cent, thus saving 
2| per cent, to the fund. 

Respectfully submitted, G. Fesler, Agent. 

Jan. 1, 1867, the county clerk, John C. Culbertson, makes a financial 
statement, showing an excess of liabilities over assets amounting to 
$2,275.81. 

June 7, 1867, a special committee consisting of A. H, Humphrey, John 
Dillatush and A. D. Packard, reported that they had found on the recor- 
der's books, mortgages, judgments, etc., which had escaped assessment, 
amounting in all to $90,712. And the board proceeded to assess them 
according to law. 

FINANCIAL AND OTHER STATISTICS FOR 1881. 

The following statements have been compiled from the State Auditor's 
last biennial report, submitted to the Governor, Nov. 15, 1881. 

Statement of the balances on the books at State auditor's office due 
from Johnson county on account of the different funds, on the 30th day of 
September, 1881: Insane Hospital, county dues, $1,796.76; Orphans' 
Home, county dues, $325; total $2,121.76. 

Statement of the amount of the several State funds in the hands of the 
■Johnson county treasurer on the 1st day of October, 1881, as reported by 
said county treasurer: State revenue, $2,126.59; War and defense bond 
tax, $1,049.39; total $3,175.98. 

Statement showing the amount of State and local taxes in Johnson 
county for the year 1880, as returned to the auditor of State by the county 
auditor, in compliance with section 844 of the Code of 1873: State tax 
two mills, $14,735.12; county tax, $24,698.31; Insane Hospital tax, 
$1,842.16; Bridge tax, $24,735.12; County school tax, $7,367.56; District 
school tax, $43,557.86; Road tax, $3,788.26; Special tax, $11,356.85; 
Judgment and bond tax, $239.90; Corporation tax, $23,746.32; total, $146,- 
066.90. 

Statment showing the nnmber of cattle, horses, mules, sheep and swine 
assessed and the value thereof in Johnson county, for the year 1881 : 



282 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Number of cattle 29,229; value :|J306,S43. Number of horses 11,265 
value $300,566. Number of mules 780 ; value $27,682. Number of sheep 
9,578; value $10,315. Number of swine 50,450; value $104,603. 

Statement showing the number of acres of land assessed, the average 
value per acre, and the aggregate valuation, after deducting the exemp- 
tions (on account of fruit and forest trees planted), and after equalization; 
also the aggregate value of town property, railroad property, and of per- 
sonal property, and total valuation of taxable property, and exemptions, in 
Johnson county for the year 1881: Number of acres of land 389,891; 
reported value per acre $10.91; equalized value per acre $10.91; reported 
value of lands i|>4,25 1,825; reported value of town lots $1,360,085; personal 
property, value $1,497,025; railroad property, value $482,814; total value 
$7,591,749. 

Statement of the apportionment of the interest of the permanent school 
fund made by the Auditor of State on the fifth day of September, A. D. 
1881, as provided by sections 66, 1582, 1844, 1881, 1882 and 1884, Code of 
1873, on the basis of twenty cents for each youth in the county: 

Number of youth, 8,441; interest due as per section 1882, code of 1873, 
$1,104.17; total interest to be apportioned, $1,104.17; amount of interest 
apportioned, $2,073.20. 

Statement showing the county and district agricultural societies entitled 
to State aid under section 1112, of the code of 1873, also total receipts of 
said societies, receipts for membership only, and the amount paid each 
society for the year 1880: Total receipts, $2,481.10; receipts for mem- 
bership, $107; amount of State aid, $107. 

Statement of resources and Habilities Johnson County Savings Bank 
doing business under the laws of the State, up to, and including Septem, 
ber 30, 1881, made to the Auditor of State, as required by chapter 9, title 
XI, of the code of 1873: 

Resources. — Loans and discounts, $285,730.29; other stocks, bonds, etc., 
$13,011.67; overdrafts, $20,028.77; real estate, $40,893.82; other instru- 
ments, $5,149.87; due from banks, $18,718.20; expenses, $2,391.19; specie, 
$9,793.55; legal tender, national bank notes, silver and subsidiary coin, 
$20,701.05; cash items, $4,418.39; total resources, $420,836.80. 

Liabilities. — Capital stock, $125,000; unpaid dividends, $4,480; undivided 
profits, $3,890.56; liabilities of officers and directors, $15,504; total habili- 
ties, $420,836.80. 

Statement showing the number of miles of railroad, the assessed value- 
and the aggregate assessed value, in Johnson county, January 1, 1881, as 
assessed by the executive council, March 3, 1881: 

Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern, number of miles, 16.05; 
assessed value per mile, $5,000; aggregate asssessed value, $80,250; 
Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern, Iowa City division, number of 
miles, 19.59; assessed value per mile, $2,000; aggregate assessed value, 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 283 

$39,180. Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern, Muscatine division, 
number of miles, 7.06; assessed value per mile, $2,500; aggregate assessed 
value, $17,650. Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific, number of miles, 27.16; 
assessed value per mile, $12,600; aggregate assessed value, $342,216. 

Statement showing the assessed value per mile and the aggregate 
assessed value in Johnson county of sleeping-cars not owned by the rail- 
roads, January 1, 1881, as provided in chapter 114, acts of the Seventeenth 
General Assembly: 

Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern, number of miles, 16.05; 
assessed value per mile, $50.00; aggregate assessed value, $802.50, 

Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific, number of miles, 27.16; assessed 
value per mile, $100.00; aggregate assessed value, $2,716.00. 

The State Auditor's table of the outstanding indebtedness of the several 
counties shows that Johnson county has no debt; and forty other coun- 
ties of our State, are in the same happy condition of debtless blessedness. 

COUNTY FINANCES. — 1881-82. 

It would take a "picked nine" of Philadelphia lawyers to unravel all the 
riddles in the county records, and make a complete exhibit of the county 
finances for all the years. Of some years the records are well kept and 
very complete, while of other years they are poorly kept, blind, unex- 
plainable; and some records which should be in the court house are entirely 
missing, as shown from official authorit}', elsewhere in this work. But 
the last report oi the county auditor, made January 2, 1882, and covering 
the fiscal year 1881 — together with the treasurer's reports of January and 
June, 1882, will show the present state of the county funds. The auditor'^ 
report is very full and well itemized, as also are the reports for several 
years back. The general summary of this last report shows what kind 
of expenses the county has constantly to meet, and the total amount of 
each kind for that year, 1881: 

COUNTY auditor's REPORT FOR 1881. 

Balance on hand January 1, 1881 $ 18,385.31 

Received from all sources 177,085.91 

Total $195,471.22 

Paid for all purposes $182,226.52 

Balance on hand January 1, 1882 13,244.80 

Total $195,471.22 

SUBDIVISION A. 

Paid on account of county $ 26,353.89 

Paid on account of poor 10,452.04 

Paid on account of State 11,658.53 

Paid on account of schools 53,276.09 



284 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Paid on account of school loans 4,750.00 

Paid on account of insane 4,018.63 

Paid on account of bridges 15,727.75 

Paid on account of township roads 3,713.28 

Paid on account of city taxes 21,057.42 

Paid on account of W. & D. bonds 3,596.87 

Paid on account of Solon side-walk 10,12 

Paid on account of Orphans' home 516.62 

Paid on account of school interest 2,813.68 

Paid on account of refundings 50.63 

Paid on account of Fremont drain 77.82 

Paid on account of railroad taxes 24,153.11 

Total $182,226.52 

SUBDIVISION B. 

Court expenses $ 9,523.18 

Township officers 3,129.90 

County officers 4,272.39 

Board of Supervisors 1,482.78 

Janitor 400.00 

Livery 145.20 

Wolf bounty 176.00 

Taxes Poweshiek county, 31.07 

DeHnquent tax list 364.00 

Gas bills 125.00 

Printing, blank books, stationery 2,964.73 

Fuel 245.62 

Publishing proceedings, etc 1,251.92 

Repairs court house 635.00 

Miscellaneous items, stone, etc 1,607.20 

Total $ 26,353.89 

SUBDIVISION C. 

Gross expenses of poor farm $ 4,067.62 

Township trustees for care of poor 83.50 

Board of tramps and transportation 374.51 

County physician and other ph3"sicians 433.70 

Support of poor not in poor house 4,642.82 

Muscatine, Scott and Blackhawk counties for the sup- 
port of poor 535.94 

Digging graves, and coffins for pauper 170.03 

Sundry minor bills 143.92 

Total $ 10,452.04 

SUBDIVISION D. 

District and circuit court jurors $ 2,860.00 

Grand jurors 651.80 

Reporters 478.00 

Bailiffs 874.00 

Prosecuting attorney 155.00 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 285 

Board of prisoners 1,660.00 

-board of jurors ' 72 70 

Grand jury witnesses 339 10 

Fees in criminal cases 1 789!52 

Sheriff's fees, salary, conveying prisoners 365.94 

Jail expenses 109 81 

Attorneys appointed by court 74^00 

Sundry expenses, stationery, etc 93!31 



'T^tal $ 9,523.18 

RECAPITULATION. 

Drawn on county fund $ 26,353.89 

Drawn on poor fund 20 452.04 

Drawn on insane hospital fund 4'oi8.'63 

Drawn for orphans' home fund ] '516^66 

^^^^^ $ 41,341.22 

COUNTY treasurer's REPORT OF 1881.— RECAPITULATION. 

Balance on hand January 1, 1882: 

l^t^^- • $ 721.19 

School gg^ g2 

Insane hospital '/' 1,513.'69 

Bridge J77 2Q 

J^^^chers 2,463.59 

ocnool house 281 50 

Contingent... V^'.V^'.\^\\\'.'.\\\\\\ Qu'.Oh 

Township road g^ggg 

ochool fund interest 285 33 

Permanent school ' ' " " 9 579 qo 

J^i'sti^^te " y. '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. ' 64^50 

Cemetery 2>^M 

Iowa City & Western Railway 1^ per cent. . ' 19 81 

Vi'^f^^^y; 1^9.'39 

U nclaimed fees 70 90 

• War and defense bonds 2023 

Younkin judgment 36^44 

Muscatine Western Railway .'...'........' 9 '54 

Board of Health 10 88 

City general " V.V. '.'.'.* V.V.V..' ." .' .' ." SmIiS 

i-ity bond interest 91 85 

City sinking *...!.'!.....*.' 47151 

City sidewalk " ' ' ' 2059 

gou"ty '. .'.'.'.".*.'.'.$' 2,089.08 

Poor ••••••..... 2,480.44 

1 otal cash on hand I3 244.70 



$17,814.22 $17,814.22 



286 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

COUNTY treasurer's REPORT. — RECAPITULATION. 

Balance on hand June 1, 1882: 

County fund $ 2,157.56 

State fund 2,005.29 

School fund 1,151.20 

Insane hospital fund 380.75 

Bridge fund 10,593.39 

Teachers' fund 3,827.65 

School house fund 367.68 

Contingent fund 1,108.80 

Township road fund 447.52 

School fund interest 243.26 

Permanent school fund 8,389.00 

Institute fund 64.50 

Cemetery fund .35 

Iowa City & Western Railway, 3 per cent fund 20.75 

Iowa City & Western Railway 1^ per cent fund 33.15 

Drainage fund 129.39 

Unclaimed fees fund 70.90 

War and defense bonds fund 1.68 

Muscatine Western Railway fund 9.54 

Board of health fund 32.58 

City general fund 150.90 

City bond interest fund 67.90 

Citv sinking fund 33.55 

City poll fund 8.09 

Poor fund $ 94.02 

Refunded 117.34 

Cash 31,083.21 



Jp31,294.57 $31,294,57 
The officers making the above report were A. Medowell, auditor, and 
C. M. Reno, treasurer, in 1881, and Hugh McGovern, treasurer in 1882. 

TAX LEVY FOR 1882. 

The following action of the county board, on September 8, 1882, serves 
to show in part, the present financial condition and tax requirements: 

Resolved^ That the auditor certify the tax list to the county treasurer, as 
provided by law: 

For State revenue, two and one-half mills on each dollar valuation, and 
a poll tax of fifty cents. 

For county fund, three mills on each dollar valuation. 

For poor fund, one mill on each dollar valuation . 

For school fund, one mill on each dollar valuation. 

For insane hospital, one-half mill on each dollar valuation. 

For bridge fund, two mills on each dollar valuation. 

And it is further ordered, that for Iowa City corporate purposes there 
be levied as certified to this board by the city council of Iowa City as fol- 
lows, to-wit: 

For general fund, ten mills on each dollar valuation. 

Bond interest fund, three and one-half mills on each dollar valuation. 

For sinking fund, two mills on each dollar valuation. 

For macadam fund, one mill on each dollar valuation. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 287 

Also the several funds assessed by said city council upon certain lots 
and parcels of g^round for sidewalks and repairs, together with the several 
delinquent poll taxes, and also a special tax for zuater zvorks of three mills 
on each dollar valuation of certain lots and parcels of ground, etc. [Des- 
criptions here omitted.] 

The following was adopted the next day, September 9: 

Resolved, That the chairman of the board of supervisors be, and he is 
hereb}^ authorized to borrow $3,000 for six months, for the use of the 
county. 

The railroads do something toward paying the cost of running the 
county. They pay taxes for State and county purposes, as follows in 
Johnson county, in 1882: 

f Graham twp $692.03 

I Scott 136.50 

B. C. R. & N. -{ Lucas 168.90 

! Iowa City 805.44 

[Liberty 192.00 

Total $1,994.87 

f Scott twp $1,442.47 

I Iowa City 1,517.03 

1 Lucas 632.93 

C. R. I. & P. J Coralville 565.53 

I Clear Creek 1,832.15 

I Oxford twp 1,608.63 

[Oxford Village 553.81 

Total $8,152.56 

Making a total paid by these roads $10,147.43, not including school 

taxes. 

In the agricultural division of Chapter V., Part 2, in this volume, will 

be found sundry tables of real estate and personal property valuations? 

and the equalized value per acre, by townships. 

The total valuation in 1882 was as follows: Realty, $5,563,686; personal, 

$2,093,318; railroad, $490,839. Total, $8,147,843. 



288 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

CHAPTER IV.— PART 1. 



Mound-Builders — Ancient Mounds — Indians — Etc., — in Johnson County. 
MOUND-BUILDERS AND INDIANS. 

Every place has a pre-historic history; and so has Johnson county. 
Relics of the ancient, pre-historic Mound-builder race of America are 
found in this county. The reader will naturally want to know who and 
what were these mysterious people. This is just what scientists have 
been trying to find out for fifty years past; and we can only say, " they 
are gaining on it^ An eminent scientist, Prof. John S. Newberry of 
Ohio, delivered a lecture last winter (1881-82) before the Academy of 
Science of New York, on the ancient civilization of America; and he 
speaks thus of the Mound-builder peoples: 

When the savages were pressed back by advancing civilization between 
the lakes and the Mexican gulf, it was discovered that they were not 
autochthonous, for mounds, caves, palaces and remains of cities showed 
the existence of a race that lived in the highest style of civilization. Inves- 
tigation and research by historians, geologists and archaeologists have 
brought to light much concerning these wonderful people. They can be 
divided in two classes which, with local differences, are generally the same. 
One is the mound-builders, who dwelt in the fertile valley of the Missis- 
sippi, following a sedentary and peaceful life. Mounds built by them and 
instruments and pottery and copper ornaments made by them, have been 
discovered all through the Mississippi valley. They were miners, far- 
mers, raised tobacco, and remains of their oil wells still exist at Titusville, 
Pa. In numbers they probably equaled the inhabitants of the region at 
present and enough is known of their osteology to say they were of 
medium size, fair proportions, with a cranial development not unlike our 
red Indian. Their teeth were large and strong.* They buried their 
dead with great ceremony. When and why, and how the mound-builder 
disappeared we do not know. Their ultimate fate was probablv entire 
extinction. The second class of these early Americans was the palace- 
builders of the table-land, a class that was spread from Chili, on the south, 
to Utah, on the north, reaching their greatest degree of power and civiliza- 
tion in Central America, Mexico and Peru. The Incas and Montezumas 
were types of this race, and though when swept from the earth by the 
brutality of Pizarro and Cortez, their glory was already in its decadence, 
we can scarcely conceive of the extent of their magnificence. This Mexi- 
can and Peruvian era far surpassed anything in our day in the construc- 
tion of public works, roads, aqueducts, palaces and cities. The macadam- 
ized road that led from Callao to Lima exceeded in cost the Union Pacific 
railroad; and if all the forts within our borders were put into one, it would 
not equal the fortified structure that is yet to be seen on the Peruvian 
coast. Louis Hoffman, an engineer who was with Maximilian, has 
described the ruins of a large seaport town on the Pacific coast of Mexico. 
The Central American country abounds in evidences of the Aztec race, and 
last winter many archaeologists went thither, and from their labors we 

*See a Johnson county specimen of jaw and teeth, at M. W. Davis' drug store, in Iowa 
City. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 289 

shall soon learn more of "this wondrous people. Their origin is lost in 
antiquity. They may have come from the seed borne across the sea by 
Phoenician traders— perhaps they sprang from the fabled race of Atlantis. 
They were either indigenous or imported in an embryotic state from the 
oriental archipelago — the latter the most likely. 

Such is a brief summing up of facts regarding the human races that 
occupied this land prior to our modern Indian tribes. Of these latter we 
have history enough; but the former are properly pre-historic. 

ANCIENT MOUNDS. 

The pre-historic remains of an ancient race that once inhabited Johnson 
county in considerable numbers are fast passing away. Many mounds 
which were plainly visible when white men first came here are now 
entirely obliterated by being plowed down in cultivated fields or dug open 
by relic hunters, and in other ways; and fifty years hence there will 
scarcely be a mound left to prove that such evidences of a former race 
ever existed. From M. W. Davis, the druggist, and Col. S. C. Trow- 
bridge, we gather the following points: 

There were mounds and evidences of an ancient town near Solon, in 
Big Grove township. 

On section thirty-three in Liberty township there were about fifty 
mounds visible some twenty years ago, with trees a foot and a half to two 
feet in diameter growing on top of them. 

On section three in Lucas township there were perhaps twenty mounds, 
some of which are still visible [August, 1882,] while others of them have 
disappeared. They are on land belonging to Lewis Englert's vineyard. 

There are a considerable number of mounds on sections three and four 
in Lucas township, on land owned by Wm. Burger. 

In Newport township, on section 27, there is a large group or neigh- 
borhood of mounds, probably fifty or more in number, and all situated 
on knolls or ridges, from which there is drainage every way. In 1863 and 
'64 Mr. Davis and others opened several of these mounds. They all con- 
tained human bones, arranged in such ways as to show that the body had 
been buried either in a sitting posture or lying down, but bent in the same 
way as for sitting; all had their faces toward the west; and all the skele- 
tons were found to have been covered with wood ashes from an inch to 
an inch and a half deep before the earth which formed the mound had 
been piled upon them. In one they found a male skeleton which had a 
prodigiously large and powerful lower jaw, with a comparatively small 
cranium; these and some of the leg bones of the same individual Mr. 
Davis still has, preserved in his collection. They also found a child's 
skeleton, and with it a small jug or bottle. This was of a grayish-black 
colored earthenware, with a round body about three inches in diameter; 
on one side were some rude markings, as if a ring with two cross-lines 
and some dots had been drawn with a fine-pointed stick when the clay was 



290 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

soft, and then straij^ht marks made from the rincr outward in one direction, 
and this is supposed to have been designed to represent the sun. The top 
of the vessel was narrowed to a neck, then a head fashioned on it which 
has some -possible resemblance to a turtle's beak, and on one side a pout- 
lipped openinjT or spout; this was the only inlet or outlet to the vessel, the 
terminal hole being- about the size of a man's finger. The vessel would 
hold about half a pint. Dr. B. H. Aylworth made a plaster cast of this 
rare relic, but Mr. Davis still has the original in his collection. 

Every mother who has lost a dear child can picture to herself the prob- 
able stor}' of this ancient earthen bottle, and realize with what sorrowful 
and teder care the pre-historic mother fashioned it with her own hands 
and placed it in her child's burial place, containing a suppl}' of food or 
drink for its journev to the spiritual sun-land beyond the western sky. 

The specimen is one of rare interest to the archaeologist, as well as to 
the student of ethnologv and esthetic evolution in sentiment and art. 

INDIAN TOWNS IN JOHNSON COUNTY. 

When the first white settlers came to Johnson county there were three 
Indian villages within its bounds, all belonging to remnant bands of the 
once powerful Sac and Fox tribe. Poweshiek had a village right where 
David B. Cox, Esq., now resides, in Pleasant Valle}* township; and his 
sub-chief named Wapashashiek had a village about a mile further up the 
river. Another chief named Totokonock had a village in what is now 
Fremont township, near where Chas. Fernstrom now resides (1SS2). These 
were the Musquaka branch of the Sac and Fox tribe. Totokonock was 
Black Hawk's prophet, and prophesied success for him in the historic 
escapade known as "the Black Hawk war," although Keokuk at the 
same time prophesied failure. Poweshiek also refused to join in Black 
Hawk's war scheme. [The position of the Poweshiek and Wapashashiek 
villages ma}- be seen on the diagram on page 207.] 

THE OLD "fort." 

In the winter of 1837-38 there was a big scare both among the Indians 
and their few white neighbors, lest the hostile and warlike Sioux Indians 
should make a war visit down here to fight their ancient enemies of the 
Sac and Fox tribe. So the Indians got some of the white men to build 
them a "fort." Some persons who were knowing to the case have 
always claimed that the whole business of the "scare" and building the 
"fort" was a trick of some white men to find employment, in which they 
succeeded admirably. They took the contract to build the "fort" for the 
Indians, receiving a few ponies at the time as first payment, and taking the 
balance out of their government annuities when that was paid to the 
Indians. These men worked all winter cutting logs and splitting them, 
hauHng them up and setting them endwise deep in the ground so as to 
make a sort of stockade inclosure. For this job they got $3,000 out of the 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 291 

cfovernment annuities due the Indians. And we are assured that this is all 
there ever was to the so-called old "Indian fort." The Sioux didn't come, 
and our Indians made a feast of gratitude and sacrificed three dogs in 
token of their thankfulness to the Great Spirit for being saved from their 
enemies. 

These Indians cultivated corn, beans, squashes, pumpkins and melons, 
all the work of cultivation being done by the women, on spots of light, 
sandy soil that could be easily worked with their rude hand-hoes. Hence, 
of course, they did not " plow deep." The women scraped green corn 
(partly boiled) off from the cobs with a clam-shell and dried it for winter 
use. Then when they boiled a dog or a muskrat and sprinkled a little of 
this dried corn into the soup, it made a very palatable and nourishing 
mess for those who could stomach it. 

The women wove bark into sacks and baskets to preserve their dried 
corn and beans and dried meat in, so they could hang it up beyond the 
reach of the dogs. They also had a way of building a sort of outside 
cellar b}' digging a hole in a dry place, making an arch of strong slabs 
of bark, then piling dead leaves, bark and earth on top. And inside of 
this they could keep ripe corn and other provisions in strong baskets. 

In the spring of 1839 Poweshiek moved up to the Dupont settlement in 
or on the west line of what is now Monroe township, and planted corn 
there. But man}' of his people were sick that fall and winter w^ith ague, 
and some died. Wapashashiek had moved about the same time to their 
new agency and trading-post five miles below Marengo; and the follow- 
ing year Poweshiek's people went there also. 

The new treaty which required these Indians all to move out of Johnson 
county had made them all subject to Keokuk as their head chief. ' This 
Totokonock refused to submit to, regarding it as a special indignity to 
himself and Black Hawk. Some of his band therefore went and joined 
the Poweshiek and Wapashashiek villages, while Totokonock himself 
and his personal adherents distributed themselves and went north and 
joined the Winnebago tribe. 

In 1843 our ex-Johnson county Indians were all moved to Fort Des 
Moines, where a company of U. S. troops was stationed to guard the 
frontier; and on this occasion a party of Iowa City people went up to 
Marengo to see the Indians start. This party consisted of Hugh D. 
Downey, Dr. Metcalf and his niece. Miss Higgins, two Mrs. Robinsons 
(one of them now Mrs. Banberry), S. C. Trowbridge and Micajah T. 
Williams, who was then a visitor here from the east, but now (1882) 
resides at Oskaloosa. 

In 181:5 and '16 most of the Sac and Fox Indians were removed to their 
reservation in Kansas; but a small remnant of them, or their half-breed 
descendants, still live in Tama count}' (1882), and have become civilized 
people. 



292 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

THE JOHNSON COUNTY CHIEFS. 

Poweshiek was originally one of the minor civil chiefs of the Sac and 
Fox nation, who inherited their rank by birthright, but could not become 
war chiefs except by distinguished bravery and success in battle. He is 
supposed to have been born while his tribe or nation was settled along the 
banks of the Rock river, Illinois, and probably about the years 1Y87 to 
1790, for he was reckoned to be of about the same age as Wapello, who 
was born at Prairie du Chien in 1787. When his tribe moved west of 
the Mississippi after the treaty of 1832, known in history as "the Black 
Hawk purchase," Poweshiek located on the Iowa river, and still remained 
here when most of the tribe went further southwest onto the Des Moines 
river; and Poweshiek's people received the name of the Musquaka 
band. If they had thrived and prospered, and grown powerful, they 
would have become in a few years an entirely new tribe or nation — for 
such is the law of evolution, and that is the way nations arise; but instead 
of that they dwindled away and became extinct, just as many of the 
mightiest nations of old times have done. The origin of this name, "Mus- 
quaka," is not entirely known; we find that the island opposite Muscatine 
was formerly occupied by these Indians, who called it Mus-qua-keen, and 
from this the name of Muscatine City originated and also tne nickname of 
Poweshiek's band. Poweshiek was one of the chiefs who visited Wash- 
ington and other eastern cities in 1837, others being Keokuk, Black 
Hawk, Wapello, Appanoose, and over thirty other chiefs and braves, 
accompanied by Col. Geo. Davenport, of the Rock Island trading-post. 
In May, 1838, Gen. Joseph M. Street organized a party to explore the 
new purchase, and was accompanied by a band of thirty Musquaka braves 
under the command of Poweshiek. 

When Col. S. C. Trowbridge first came to Johnson county, in 1837, 
Poweshiek's village stood where 'Squire Cox's residence is now standing 
in Pleasant Valley township, and Trowbridge became quite an intimate 
friend of the old chief. He says Poweshiek was a large, fat, lazy man, 
weighing about 250 pounds,''and fond of whisky; often drunk. He had 
a strong sense of justice, and was brave, true to his word and faithful to 
a friend; his word was sacred; and any gift from a friend was kept with 
a sasred reverence bordering on superstition. He was rather slow to be 
aroused, but when fairly aroused to action, showed a great deal of energy 
and force of character, combined with a fair degree of executive talent 
and judicial faculty. His word was law in the two villages. He was, on 
the whole, rather a noble specimen of the American red man. 

Wapashashiek was a sub-chief under Poweshiek and was strictly 
just and honest like his head chief, and had the added virtue of being 
sober; saw the ruin which whisky was working among his people, and 
sturdily shunned it. He was a tall, thin, spare man ; had far less executive 
talent and weight of character than Poweshiek; he managed his own vil- 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 293 

lage very well, but all important matters were reported to the head chief. 
His age and birth-place are not known. 

KisHKEKOSH was a war chief or leader who had won his rank by such 
deeds of blood as his nation delighted to honor, just as civilized nations 
give military rank to successful warriors who may not have been born of 
the ruling class. He was tall, straight, active, wiry; an expert in every 
athletic exercise engaged in by the men of his tribe, such as running, 
leaping, dancing, paddling a canoe, climbing, riding a pony, throwing the 
tomahawk, etc. By this means he won great repute and influence, espe- 
cially among the younger portion of his people. But he was also a fluent 
and eloquent speaker in his native tongue, and a man of sober habits. His 
age was about ten years younger than Poweshiek, from whom he differed 
in every respect, both of physical and mental quality. He possessed in 
full measure the natural cunning, shrewdness and trickery which belonged 
as a race characteristic to the Indian tribes. He had no sense of honor, at 
least not as toward white men ; would lie, steal, cheat, betray, murder, 
without scruple. He was feared, hated and distrusted by all the whites; 
in fact it was believed that he committed several murders of white men, 
although it could not be proven. Kishkekosh was a " bad Injin." 

ToTOKONOK — pronounced To-to-ko-nok — was a minor civil chief, who 
had his village opposite the mouth of the English river, in Fremont town- 
ship. Little is known of him, beyond the fact that he sympatized with 
Black Hawk in his war against the whites, and prophesied success for 
him. And finall\% rather than submit to Keokuk's rule, as required by 
the treaty of 1838, he left his native tribe and went to the Winnebagoes. 
He seems to have got along very peaceably with his white neighbors in 
Johnson county. 

Sketches of the more prominent Indian chiefs who lived in other parts 
of Iowa will be found in the fore part of this volume, under the head of 
"Iowa Indians." 

NEWHALL's " SKETCHES." 

Accounts and descriptions of Indian life and character are always fascinat- 
ing, especially to the younger class of readers who have heard of, but 
never seen a genuine wild Indian. Newhall's "Sketches of Iowa," which 
was the first book ever printed as an Iowa historical work, contained a 
pretty fair account of the very class of Indians who had inhabited John- 
son county. And from this work we make some extracts which will fur- 
ther illustrate the sort of life led by our redskin predecessors in this 
county: 

The Sacs and Foxes have been among the most powerful and warlike 
tribes in the northwest. History finds them fighting their way from the 
shores of the northern lakes gradually toward the Mississippi, sometimes 
warring with the Winnebagoes, and at other times with the Chippewas, 
often instigated by the French. At an early period they inhabited the 
region of country bordering on Wisconsin river, and planted large quan- 
19 



294 Hl-iTORV OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

titles of corn . The whole history' of their wars and migrations shows 
them to have been a restless and spirited people — a people erratic in their 
pursuits, havinor a great contempt for agriculture and a predominant pas- 
sion for war. By these ruling traits they have been constantly changing, 
suffering and diminishing. Still they retain their ancient chivalry, ever 
ready for war, regardless of the superiority of their foes. Their number, 
of late years, has been somewhat augmented by the policy they have pur- 
sued of adopting their prisoners of war and receiving seceders from other 
tribes, and at the present time they number about seven thousand souls. 
Their villages are principally located upon the river Des Moines. The 
have, however, one large village situated upon the banks of the Iowa, a 
few miles from the United States boundary line. This is called Powe- 
shiek's village, it being the residence of "Poweshiek," a Fox chief. His 
village is large, containing many lodges and from seventeen hundred to 
two thousand souls. 

Sometimes, midway between two villages, or perhaps off in the prairie, 
ma}^ be seen a hundred young ' warriors ' from each, " picked men," who 
have won laurels on the battle field. They have met (per agreement) to 
exercise their feats in the race or ancient games; the prize being, perhaps, 
two or three horses, a rifle, or a war-club; the old warriors and chiefs of 
each village looking on as judges. Often these feats of rivalry at the 
games take place. A challenge from one village is sent to the next. 
Great interest is manifested on these occasions, and the same ambitious 
emulation for rivalry is exhibited in these 'children of nature' as among 
those who play their part beneath gilded domes of the city; and I doubt 
not the young Sac warrior wears his laurels as proudly as ever did the 
gladiators of ancient Rome. 

" The Sacs and Foxes speak the Algonquin language. This language 
is still spoken by the Chippevvas, Pottawatamies, Ottawas, and several 
other tribes. It is soft and musical in comparison with the harsh guttural 
Narcoutah of the Sioux, which is peculiar to themselves, having but little 
affinitv to the Algonquin tongue. Their ideas of futurity are somewhat 
vague and indefinite. They believe in the existence of a supreme Manitou, 
or Good Spirit, and a Malcha Manitou or Evil Spirit. They often invoked 
the favor of the good Manitou for success in war and the hunt, by various 
sacrifices and offerings. Storm and thunder they view as manifestations 
of his wrath; and success in war, the hunt, or in deliverance from enemies, 
of his favor and love. Everything of great power or efficacy, or that is 
inexplicable, is a 'great medicine;' and the medicine men and prophets are 
next in consideration to the chiefs. At the decease of their friends, they 
paint their faces black, and the time of mourning is governed by the 
affinity of the kindred. Their ideas of the condition of the departed 
spirits, and the ceremony of burial, may be deemed interesting. Often, 
in perambulating their deserted villages, has my attention been arrested 
in gazing through the bleached and mutilated slabs, made to protect the 
dust of a noted chief or 'brave,' who is frequently placed in a sitting pos- 
ture, his gun and his war-club placed by his side, moccasins upon his feet, 
his blanket (or remnants thereof) wrapped around his bod}^, his beads and 
wampum suspended to his neck, where he sits 'like a warrior taking his 
rest,' in his silent sleep of death. 

The Sacs and Foxes frequently visit the towns on the river — Burling- 
ton, Madison, &c. The dress of the males generally consists of leggins, 
sitting closely from the loins to the ankles, usually of smoke-tanned deer- 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 205 

skin, and often of blue, and sometimes of red cloth, trimmed with fringe 
and beads in a variety of fantastic forms. They wear a white, and fre- 
quently a scarlet-colored blanket, thrown loosely over the shoulders. 
Their moccasins are of deerskin, often trimmed with extreme taste with 
beads and porcupine quills. Their headdress is of various fashions, and 
frequently indescribable. A chief or warrior's headdress consists of a pro- 
fusion of scarlet-colored hair and long black beards of the wild turkey, 
connected to the scalp-lock, and, not unfrequently, a silver band, or a 
richly-beaded turban. Their ears are strung with rings and trinkets, their 
arms with bracelets of brass, tin, silver, and steel, and their necks are often 
strung with a profusion of wampum. A tolerably correct idea may be 
formed of the riches and caste of a young Indian by the number of strings 
of wampum around his neck. This may be considered as their "lawful 
tender," as no treaty was ever formed, or pipe of friendship smoked, 
between different Indian tribes, without an exchange of wampum. 

The Sacs and Foxes have various dances, and they evince a remarka- 
ble fondness in exhibiting themselves. They have the war-dance, the 
council-dance, the feast-dance, the dog-dance, and the beggars' dance. 
The people in the large towns of Iowa have learned what the beggars' 
dance is, long since. Man}' of the dances and festivities at their villages, 
as did the dances of olden time, have a religious character. Previous to 
going to war, and particularly on their return, laden with the trophies of 
victory and the scalps of their enemies, their dances and revelry are kept 
up for several days in succession. They have a grand dog-feast; dogs 
are held in much reverence by them, and on the occasion of a feast, a por- 
tion is always consecrated as "medicine." Having visited their villages 
in June last, I was astonished to observe several dogs recently killed, and 
suspended to different trees; upon inquir}-, I was informed that they had ^ 
"dog-feast" on the occasion of their leaving their country to fight the 
Sioux. For every dog they eat, another was suspended to a tree as a pro- 
pitiation or sacrifice for some mysterious charm or luck. Upon going to 
war, their medicine bags are carefully worn about their persons, and bet- 
ter had the Sac warrior be without his gun or his bow, facing his enemy, 
than that any mishap should deprive him of the magic potency of his medi- 
cine bag. No Indians exult more than the Sacs and Foxes in a triumphant 
skirmish with their enemies, and none more proudly exhibit their bloody 
trophies. They frequentl}^ have several scalps suspended on a spear, or 
connected with their dress. As an evidence of the value they set upon 
these emblems of merciless victor}', I will relate an incident of my attempt 
to get one of a veteran Sac brave. While writing these pages, I had wit- 
nessed him several days passing my window on a little pony, proudly wav- 
ing his bouquet of scalps, connected with beads, ribbons, and eagles' feath- 
ers, and tied with a rattlesnake skin upon a spear. Having a desire to 
obtain one, and after three days' unsuccessful egoLiation, ofiering him 
money, calico, beads, powder, and tobacco, he declined selling it for one 
box, (i. e., 1,000 dollars.) 

They place great reliance in dreams; and the intrepid warrior who 
awakes in the morning from a night of troublesome dreams, is dejected 
and melancholy. Sometimes they imagine that an evil spirit or sorcerer 
has inflicted a spell, after the manner of the witches of former times. I 
think it was last year that Keokuk had an aged squaw killed because she 
had bewitched or inflicted a spell upon some of his children. 

As a nation, the Sacs and Foxes are a noble looking race. They are 



296 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

generally erect, of fine forms, with few, if any instances of decrepitude 
and deformity. The feeble infants scarcely survive the threshold of exist- 
ence. Hence, as Volney says, 'Nature cries to them, be strong, or die.' 
In their walks and marches across the country, one is generally behind the 
other, m what is termed Indian file; hence, the frequent 'Indian trails ' 
that stretch across our wide prairies, which are sure to lead the traveler 
to a good ford, or the site of a lormer village. 

The Indian character is full of interest; and although much has been 
said and written, still a wide and ample field remains of interesting 
research and speculation. Some have maintained that the savage state 
is the only natural state of man, and in no other state can he be happy. 
Such were the felicitous dreams of Rousseau and Chateaubriand. Vol- 
ney's description has less of the ideal, and more of the acute and discrim- 
inating observation. Mr. Flint, and many modern writers, speak of them 
as a gloomy, unjovous race, with little or no susceptibility to the common 
impulses or affections of life. That they do not so readily sympathize with 
external objects, I admit; but that the deep emotions of the inner man 
will often break forth, not only in fiendish passion, but in the elastic gaiety 
of joyous revelr\', I have often witnessed, particular!}' in the pastimes and 
the sports of their villages, the outbreakings of unrestrained mirth in the 
dance, the race, and the games, showing conclusively, feelings susceptible 
of joyous excitement. Certain it is, the Indian in his intercourse with the 
whites assumes an afiected reserve, generally musing, frequentl}^ stern 
and unsocial. He will not talk English, (even if he understands it,) and if 
his admiration is excited by the innovations of the whites, his pride 
conceals the emotion. There are some exceptions to this taciturn 
mood, particularly on seeing a steamboat, which excites great wonder, 
and m their opinion a great 'medicine man' must have been the projector. 
The Sacs and Foxes call a steamboat scoticheman, i. e., fire-canoe. But 
with all their bravery and exposure to death in a thousand forms, I have 
often been amused to see their courage falter from the 'sticking point,' 
and the scene has been most ludicrous— young Indians, and old veteran 
warriors, and all, scamper for dear life when one of our Mississippi boats 
is in the act of 'letting oft' steam;' the hissing noise appearing to strike 
more terror than the savage yell of a thousand conquering foes. 

It is amusing to observe that, widely as the savage character difters 
from the civilized, their ideas of brave and great assimilate nearly with 
our own. In meeting a party of Indians crossing our prairies, or at their 
villages, their first salution in accosting the traveler is " How-de-do? Me 
big cap-a-tain." They are all "big cap-a tains," or would fain make you 
think so. Bravery and daring command the first place in their homage; 
and their whole training, from the dawn of their existence to the latest 
hour of their life, inculcates this principle. But their military prowess 
consists in fiendish revenge and blood-thirst}'- cruelty, and the laurels 
most triumphantly crown him who dexterously wields the tomahawk and 
scalping-knife. 

Capt. F. M. Irish wrote some -reminiscences of the early days in John- 
son county, for the magazine called Annals of Iowa, which was pub- 
lished quarterly by the State Historical Society for a number of years. 
Capt. Irish's sketches appeared in 186S; and of our Johnson county 
Indians he said: 

Up to this time (^1837) the red man had held undisputed possession of 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 297 

this beautiful region. A number of Indian towns were located upon the 
Iowa river, within what are now the limits of the county; the largest of 
them was about two miles below Iowa City on the Clark farm, now 
owned by Jas. McCallester, and contained about one thousand of the 
Musquaka or Fox Indians, governed by Poweshiek, an Indian of fair abil- 
ity and rather amiable disposition for a savage. The county of Powe- 
shiek was named after him. The war chief of this tribe was Kish-ke- 
kosh, of whom nothing very favorable can be said. These natives were 
generally well-disposed towards their white neighbors, and save when 
under the influence of whisky seldom gave any trouble. Their grave- 
yards were near their towns, and they evinced great solicitude for the 
remains of their dead. 

Thirty years ago [from 1868] bands of Indians might be seen every year 
leaving these towns upon their annual hunt, armed, their ponies laden 
with mats for tenting, and followed by squads of squaws, whose duty was 
to drive the beasts, pitch the tents and cook the food when their lords had 
luck in the chase. And again at anotlier season parties could be seen 
starting out, their ponies laden with deer and elk skins, moccasins and 
ornamental work prepared in the manner peculiar to these people, bound 
to some trading-post to exxhange their commodities for food, trinkets and 
money. And yet again another party, consisting of squaws and children, 
the latter slung in baskets on either side of the pony, while the mother is 
perched on his back, each spring took its way by well-worn trail to their 
corn patches, where with heavy iron hoes they prepared the ground for 
planting corn and beans. Upon those three resources, the chase, trade 
and a rude agriculture, the Indian depended for his subsistence. And yet 
with all his exertions he frequently found himself destitute, although he 
thought he availed himself of every advantage the country was capable of 
presenting. 

In Hon. Henry Felkner's contribution to this history, in another place, 
will be found a graphic account of "An Indian Battle," and some other 
reminiscences of our Johnson county Indian folk. 

BRYAN DENNIs' SCARE. 

Bryan Dennis relates that when he first came to this county he went to 
Miller's ferry, at the old Napoleon town-site, and wanted to get across 
that night, it being then near dusk. The ferry keepers lived on the west 
side, but had a tin horn hung up on the east side of the river for people to 
blow when they wanted the ferry. He blowed lustily with the horn, but 
couldn't make the ferryman hear, for there was a stifl'wind blowing from 
the west which blew the sound all in the opposite direction. After trying 
in vain a long time he concluded to lie there in the bushes on the river 
feank all night, and try the ferry -horn again in the morning. Shortly after 
dark he heard strange noises and saw a great light only a few rods away, 
and on getting up where he could see more plainly he beheld a group of 
"bloody In-ji-ins," performing as he supposed their frighful scalp dance, 
getting ready to pounce down there and lift his hair. He felt the cold 
chills run over him and each particular hair began to stand out straight, 
for he knew little about Indians except the current stories about their 



29S HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

tomahawk and scalping-knife bloodthirstiness. However, he hid himself 
in the brush; they did not find him, and the next day he got across the 
river and reached his destination with a whole skin. 

Without doubt the Indians looked hideous and frightful enough in their 
wild and frantic gesticulations as seen by the lurid light of a circle of fire; 
and it is no wonder that the young man, a total stranger and totally alone, 
falling upon such an unexpected scene should have' been considerably 
frightened. O, you needn't laugh! Yoti'd have been scared, too! But the 
real fact was, the Indians had moved away long before this; and a band 
of them now happening to be out on some trip up or down the river, had 
stopped at the site of their former village (Wapashashiek's town) to per- 
form their grotesque funeral dance around the graves of their dead rela- 
tives left behind when they were compelled to move further west, in the 
spring of 1888. Their performance that night was the wail and howl of 
graveyard lamentation and frantic invocation of the spirits of their ances- 
tors, instead of the demoniac revelrv of scalps. 

INDIAN JUSTICE. 

Col. Trowbridge relates the following incident illustrating Poweshiek's 
strong sense of justice and strong rule over his village: 

One summer a horse had strayed or been stolen from a remote neigh- 
borhood. The owner follows his trail into the neighborhood of Indian 
villages, calls upon the settlers in the vicinity of the villages, but can get 
no further clue to it. He suspects that it is in possession of the Indians. 
Calls upon Poweshiek early in the morning, and through an interpreter 
states his case. The chief knows nothing of it, but will investigate it. 
Inimcdiatcly he issues an order, which is spread with great rapidity, that 
no man or person shall leave the village ViV\i\i further ordered. Not a soul 
dared to, or did go. The owner describes his beast; is sent through the 
camp with an escort, in search of it; finds and points it out very readily. 
The Indian owner is examined — i. e., the avowed owner — but can give no 
satisfactory explanation of his ownership. The horse is passed over to 
the white man, and the Indian made to pay him liberally for his trouble 
and expense in hunting him, which is assessed upon his annuity from the 
government. The owner is thereupon dismissed satisfied, and the thief is 
now taken in hand by the chief and punished for his dishonesty. 

WHITE hawk's band. 

Mr. Jacob Ricord, postmaster of Iowa City, furnishes the following 
interesting sketch of early incidents on Old Man's Creek. The place 
spoken of would have been about three miles west of the present county 
line, over in the border of Iowa county. The Ricord brothers were 
Edward, Elisha and Jacob — all at that time green young men. This was 
early in 1840. 

The first settlers on Old Man's creek, where it crossed the western boun- 
dary of what was then called the " New purchase," found residing on 
the land a band of Fox Indians They were the band of the chiefs named 
White Hawk and Cocohic. They called on the Ricord boys in all the 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 299 

pomp of paint and feathers and acrimoniously informed them that they 
knew their band was still living on the white man's land, but that all the 
game there belonged to them anyway, and they wanted to stay there until 
the next spring, so they could take their game from there; but that they, 
" the Ricords," might have all the deer they could shoot themselves, for 
they did not think the Ricords were " much old hunters''' White Hawk 
informed them that they were not the first white men who had come to 
live on Old Man's creek, and said, as near as they could understand, that 
on a time, about the fall of 1836, Cocohic's young men had found a white 
man on the prairie of Old Man's creek, and he was sick, nearly destitute 
of clothing, and entirely unable to proceed on his journey. 

White Hawk was informed about it, and he went out with his men and 
brought the white man to his camp, and gave him shelter, food and cloth- 
ing. He was sick and unable to leave the Indian camp until the middle 
of winter. 

He remained until spring, and one day White Hawk said: M}^ white 
brother has a cloud on his brow. I am going down to a new trading 
house, built by some white man on the bank of Iowa river, and you may 
go along and ride one of my ponies. The ofler was eagerl}^ accepted, and 
the Indians left him at the trading-house. 

In the summer of 1843 there came to the Ricord house a white man 
inquiring for White Hawk's band of Indians. His name was Jeremiah 
Hawkins, and he was the man whom White Hawk had treated so kindl}^ 
On being asked by what misfortune he came on the prairie, his informa- 
tion was given in a few words: He said that he and two other men had 
been up on the Missouri river trapping, and while coming down the river 
on a raft constructed to carry the three men and their traps, they encoun- 
tered a storm which broke the raft, but they reached shore before it went 
to pieces, and they saved one gun and some ammunition. Hawkins had 
a pocket compass, and thus equipped, they attempted to cross the territory 
to the Mississippi, for they knew there were white settlements there. 

Everything went well until they encountered the prairie fires. Hawkins 
kept his course eastward, and there arose a disagreement about the course 
they were taking. First, the man with the gun left, then the second man 
lagged behind, and Hawkins never saw him again. He said, when the 
Indians found him, he was " entirely done for," and that he could not have 
been treated more kindly at his father's house than he was by the Indians, 
and he was going to see White Hawk and pay him for his kindness, and 
stay two or three weeks with him, before the Indians left for the west. 



300 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

CHAPTER IV.— PART 2. 



SUNDEY FIRST THINGS. 

The First Trading House— First Settlers-First Babies— First Weddiug— First Deaths- 
First Doctors — First 4th of July — First Hotel and Other Buildings in Iowa City — First 
Mill Dams. 

THE OLD TRADING HOUSES. 

The first trading house within the bounds of Johnson county stood on 
the northeast quarter of section 10, in Pleasant Valley township, on the 
bank of the Iowa river, just below the mouth of Snyder creek, [originally 
called Gilbert creek], on land now owned by James Stevens. This trad- 
ing post was established by the American Fur Company about 1830, or 
before the Black Hawk war; and John Gilbert was their agent in charge. 
The buildings consisted of the storehouse proper, and sundry outside cribs 
for storage of produce, surplus goods, etc.; and a stockade enclosure for 
protection of the stock from wolves and other depredators by night. As 
recently as 1880, Mr. Stevens filled up the old cellar of this first trading 
house, and evidences of it were still visible this year, 1882, although it is 
now all plowed over and into crop. A little way south of this, or at the 
lower border of the field, is a raised ring of earth, very much like the ring 
that remains after a circus has been in town. This old ring was used by 
the Indians in performing their sacred fire-dance. They would build a 
lively fire all around the outer edge of the ring, then the chosen ones would 
jump through the flames into the ring, and there perform the dance, with 
all the accompaniments of gesture and song that formed their uncouth 
worship and sacred mysteries. 

Trading House No. 2. — In 1837, "Mr. Gilbert had got so well acquainted 
with the Indians, and was on such friendly terms with them, that he 
thought he could do better for himself to trade on his own hook than to 
play second fiddle any longer, as merely a clerk or agent for the Fur 
Company. So he selected a place on what is now the southeast quarter 
of the southwest quarter of section 35, township 79, range 6, and engaged 
S. C. Trowbridge and Henry Felkner to build him a trading house there. 
These men cut and dressed the logs and got Wm. Duvall and Thomas 
Bradley, with their oxen to haul them up to the place, and they erected 
the house — two 20x20 log cabins, with an interspace of twenty feet between 
them, which was also roofed over. This was in 1837, and here Gilbert 
wen to trading, but died soon after — and it was in this house that the 
first district court was held. The house stood in what is now [1882] 
'Squire David B. Cox's corn-field, just across the road east from his house 
— his residence, barn, stock-yards, orchard, etc., being on the very ground 
where Poweshiek's Indian village stood at the time this new trading house 
was built. [See diagram on page 207. J 

Tradinsr House No. ?. — When Gilbert resigned his agency for the 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 301 

American Fur Compan}- they immediately sent on another man, named 
Chase, to look after their business. And, as Gilbert had established him- 
self close up to Poweshiek's town, with Wapashashiek's town only about 
a mile further up the river, Chase thoue^ht he must get close enough 
to watch Gilbert and try to secure at least a part of the trade. So he 
selected a site less than half a mile south of Gilbert's, built a trading house 
there, and moved the Fur Company's business up to it. This was famil- 
iarly called "Chase's trading house," because Chase was the trader, although 
the Fur Company built, owned and operated it. It stood on the north- 
east quarter of the northwest quarter of section 2, township 78, range 6, 
which is in now Pleasant Valley township, while the Gilbert site is in Lucas 
township; and it also was composed of two twenty-foot cabins, with a 
twenty -foot interspace. This served as a tavern when Judge WiUiams 
held the first term of district court ever held in Johnson county — and it 
was here that the Judge played the fiddle for Hhe said ■prisoner''^ Gregg, 
to dance a jig, an incident which the Judge has been a little ashamed of 
ever since, while "the old boys" who were there have always thought it 
too good a joke not to tell. 

Some writers of Johnson county history have talked about the " Phelps 
trading house," as if there had been another one by that name. But that 
happens in this way: A man named Sumner Phelps, brother-in-law to 
Wheten Chase, was a member of the " American Fur Company," so-called* 
and spent most of his time in going around from one trading post to another 
to see how the local agents were doing; what goods they were in need of> 
etc. Mr. Phelps came to Chase's at regular times on his round of posts, and 
so some folks called it " Phelps' trading house;" but Chase was there all 
the time; was the responsible agent in charge; he didn't own the house; 
neither did Phel-ps, except as one of a company. Chase did the trading 
there, and it was commonly called and known by the name of Chase's or 
the Chase trading house. 

Their furs, peltries, etc., were mostly sent down the rivei' in canoes, flat- 
boats, or keel-boats, to the great fur-trading house of Chouteau, Laclede 
& Co., at St.Louis. Goods suitable for the Indian and frontier trade were 
returned by keel-boats, which would be towed by some steamboat as far 
up the Mississippi as the mouth of the Iowa river, then be poled and 
tow-lined by men, up to the trading houses. 

WHO CAME FIRST? 

The first " settlers" in Johnson county came from Elkhart county, Indiana. 
In the fall of 1836 Philip Clark, Eli Myers and S. C. Trowbridge, all 
young men, started from Elkhart county on horseback, going " out 
west " to grow up with the country. At South Bend, Trowbridge fell 
sick and finally had to go back home for the .winter. Clark and Myers 
pushed on. They traveled on horseback through Illinois to Rock Island 
(then Stephenson's landing), where they met with Mr. John Gilbert, 



302 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

who, learning that they sought a location, told them that he was 
an Indian trader from the Iowa river, and that if they would accom- 
pany him he would show them a country that had all the advantages they 
could desire. They accepted his invitation, and found Mr. Gilhert's trad- 
ing house located in what is now Pleasant Valley township. Mr. Myer's 
claim, made at that time, now constitutes the farm bearing his name, while 
that of Mr. Clark is now known as the Morford or Birge farm. The next 
step of these pioneers was to erect a " claim cabin." This means that 
they laid four sticks up cabinwise, making an enclosure large enough to 
sleep inside of; and drove a few sticks in the ground to szuear by that they 
had " staked their claim." This, remember, was late in the year 1836 
Mr. Gilbert promised to protect their claims until the next spring, so they, 
went back to Elkhart and reported progress. Their glowing accounts of 
the splendid new country started an "Iowa fever " in their localit}-, audit 
spread wide. 

Myers and Clark both returned in the early spring of 1837, with their 
teams and plows, and accompanied by neighbors, did some breaking, and 
" chopped in " sod corn, potatoes, squashes and pumpkins, that is, chopped 
a gash thiough the sod with an ax and dropped the seed in there. That 
was the way mostly of planting the first crop — though of course some- 
times it would be dropped down between the sod; but here the birds and 
gophers were more apt to find it. 

The order of earliest arrivals in 1837 was as follows: 

Early in Mav — Eli Myers, Philip Clark, Samuel Waller, James 
Walker, Wm. Wilson and Eli Summy. 

Later in same month came Henry Felkner, S. C. Trowbridge, Pleasant 
Harris and his nephew, Wm. Massey, the latter having his wife along, 
who was sister to the Judge's daughter-in-law, Mrs. Jonathan Harris, and 
likewise to the Hamilton brothers, all of whom came later. 

Trowbridge had started from Elkhart about the same time the rest 
did. He and three other young men, George Bumgardner, David Darr 
and Peter Core}', had rigged up a two-horse spring wagon with roll 
up curtains, to frisk around and see the country. They entered Iowa at 
Burlington, and then visited Mount Pleasant, which was a village, and 
also drove through Van Buren, Jefferson, Louisa and Washington coun- 
ties, before coming to Johnson. Three members of this company dropped 
out at different places, and Trowbridge only came to Johnson count}^; 
however, Bumgardner came later, and died here. 

yune — During this month the arrivals were: Wm. Sturgis, George 
W. Hawkins, whose wife horned the first white baby in the county — a 
girl; Jacob Earhart, whose wife horned the first white boy baby in the 
county — but it was the second birth; John and Heniy Earhart; John A. 
Cain, brother-in-law to the Earharts, and whose wife, their sister, bore the 
fourth child born in the county — a daughter — (or possibly the third, as the 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 303 

exact day could not be ascertained, but it was near about the same time 
that Pleasant Harris' son Loren was born); and S. B. Mulholland. 

yuly — No new arrivals are reported in this month except Wm. Devall 
and Thomas Bradley. Devall staid several years, but Bradley left the 
same fall, going farther west. 

August — ^Judge Harris had gone back east, but returned this month 
with his wife and family, and was also accompanied this time b}' his son 
Jonathan Harris, wife and child, and his son-in-law, Isaac N. Lesh and 
wife. Joseph Walker, brother to the two Walkers, who came in May, 
arrived during this month. Samuel Bumgardner, one of Trowbridge's 
traveling companions, also came; and likewise Andrew D. Stephen. 

Later in the season there came John Trout, E. Hilton, and a man named 
Schrick, scattering along. The latter lived with the Walker brothers; he 
soon took sick and died — and is supposed to have been the first white 
man who died in Johnson county. The foregoing comprises all who came 
to the county in 1837. Samuel H. McCrory has been published as arriv- 
ing in August of this year, but he did not come until March, 1838. 

• FIRST WHITE CHILD BORN IN THE COUNTY. 

In nearly every county it happens that there are different claimants to 
this distinction, and differences of opinion about jt among old settlers. 
This historian once had five different names presented to him as the first 
child born in a certain township, the reports being made by seven differ- 
ent persons; on two of the children two agreed, while on three of them 
no two agreed. This occurred in Montgomery county, Iowa. In the 
same county, nine different weddings were reported as the "'first wedding" 
in Walnut township. We mention these facts to show how difficult it is 
to get accurate information as to names, dates, etc., merely from old peo- 
ple's recollection, and how much patient, persevering and candid inquiry 
must be made before it is safe to write down in history anything positive 
or definite upon these disputed matters. 

We have found six children claimed by different old people to have 
been the first white child born in Johnson county. After five months of 
diligent inquir}^ the following appear to be the most reliable facts that 
can be gathered on this subject: 

''First Baby,'' No. /.—In 1836-37 an Indian chief named 
Totokonock, who was prophet to the great war chief Black Hawk, had 
a village of .5(>0 or GOO Indians, near where Charles Fernstrom now lives, 
in Fremont township. Near this place George W. Hawkins had settled 
early in July, 1837; and in the latter part of August of that 3'ear Mrs. 
Hawkins gave birth to a daughter. This child was afterward known as 
Lucinda Hawkins. She always claimed to have been the first white 
child born in the county, and once tried to have the Old Settlers' Associa- 
tion formally endorse her claim to this distinction; but the old people 
were not agreed upon it, and so nothing was done. 



304 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

'■'■First Bahy^'' No. 2. — At the same time that George Haw- 
kins came to the county, also came John A. Cain, the three Earhart 
brothers — John, Henry and Jacob— Wm. Sturgis, and S. B. Mulholland. 
They arrived at the trading-house on the 30th or 31st day of June, and 
from there went out to take their pick of land, stake oft" claims, build cab- 
ins, etc. Jacob Earhart, with Nancy, his wife, settled on what is now 
section 22 in Liberty township; and here, on Sept. 3, 1837, Mrs. Earhart 
gave birth to a son, who was afterward known as Lewis Earhart. Henry 
Earhart was then a young man, and remembers that he was sent to get 
Mrs. Judge Harris to come and be with his sister-in-law dunng her confine- 
ment, as there was no doctor in the county yet, but Mrs. Harris was so 
heavy with child herself that she could not go. He then went to Jona- 
than Harris' house, and found Mrs. Jonathan Harris \jice Sybil Hamilton] 
and Mrs. Wm. Massey \iicc Betsy Ann Hamilton] there, who both went 
at once to Mrs. Earhart's; but the baby was born before they arrived. 
Jacob Earhart, the father of this child, went to Cahfornia during the 
"gold fever" of 1849-50-51-52, and died at Sacramento in 1852 or '53. 

Shortly after his father's death this boy, Lewis Earhart, went to Indi- 
ana to live with relatives there — and that is why so little has been known 
about him as the first white boy baby born in Johnson county. 

'■'■First Baby''' No. j. — In May, 1837, Pleasant Harris came and made 
a claim, which is still known as the Harris farm, in Liberty township. He 
went back east for his famil}^ and returned in August, accompanied by 
his wife, Hannah, and younger children, and also by his son Jonathan 
Harris and Sybil Hamilton, his wife; and his son-in-law, Isaac N. Lesh 
and wife. Jonathan Harris took a claim adjoining his father's, but after- 
ward sold it; and it is now [1882] known as the Switzer farm, in Liberty 
township. Mrs. Jonathan Harris was a sister to James and Hezekiah 
Hamilton, now (1882) of Clear Creek township, The two Harris families 
and the Lesh family having arrived in August, lived awhile in their 
wagons, until cabins could be prepared for them. And on the 27th day 
of September, (a little over three weeks after Mrs. Earhart's baby was 
born,) Mrs. Judge Harris gave birth to a son. There happened to be a 
doctor named Purinton then at the trading house, so he was called to 
attend her, and was taken across the river in a canoe. The son born at 
this time to Judge Pleasant Harris and his wife, Hannah, has since been 
known as Loren W. Harris, and is supposed to reside near Frank Pierce 
post oflSce, in Washington township. 

''First Bahy^' No. ^.— Early in 1837, John Gilbert, the old trader, 
emploved Jonas M. Higley to survey and lay out a town site opposite the 
mouth of English river — just about where the town of River Junction 
now lies, in Fremont township. This was in fact the first town site laid 
out in Jolinson county, and was called See-pee-nah-mo. John A. Cain 
settled here in July, 1837, his wife being a sister to the three Earhart boys; 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 305 

and in the latter part of September, Mrs. Cain gave birth to a daughter, 
Elizabeth ; but as the family had long since moved away, the exact date 
of this birth could not be ascertained; and whether it was a day or two 
before or after the birth of Mrs. Judge Harris' baby, remains unsettled. 

The four foregoing "first babies" were all born within the space of 
about five weeks, and it was a great matter throughout the settlement 
that so man}^ children were born among the newcomers in so short a time 
after their arrival. It shows that they were 'aW good people, and obeyed the 
Scriptures, especially that part where it says, "Multiply and replenish the 
earth." These interesting events proved that they had good populating 
qualities. But the fact of main interest just now is, that each one of these 
four children (besides two others) has been claimed and reported as the 
first white child born in Johnson county. We therefore tabulate the mat- 
ter in accordance with the above narratives, thus: 

IVo. I. — Lucinda Hawkins, born late in Agust, 1837, on section 12 in 
Fremont township, daughter of George W. Hawkins. 

JVo. 2. — Lewis Earhart, born September 3, 1837, on section 22 in Lib- 
ert}' township, son of Jacob and Nancy Earhart. 

A^o. J. — Eoren W. Harris, son of Judge Pleasant Harris and Hannah, 
his wife, born September 27, 1837, on section 22 in Liberty township. 

A^o. 4.. — Elizabeth Cain, daughter of John A. Cain (whose wife was a 
sister to the Earhart brothers), born late in September, 1837, supposed on 
section 16 in Liberty township. 

'■'■Kirst Baby'"' Number 5. — It was reported, and believed by some old 
settlers, that Mrs. Jonathan Harris was mother of the first baby born in 
the county; but she had a nursing babe eight months old when she arrived, 
and this "imported" little sucker evidently got mixed up with the "native 
stock" in the minds of some of the old folks. Some of them have all these 
years been mistakenly crediting Mrs. Judge Harris' baby to her daugh- 
ter-in-law. 

'•'First Baby''' Number 6. — In addition to these children, born in 1837, 
we found one that was born in 1838, also being supposed by some to have 
been "the first;" hence we give particulars of the case as it really was. 

Early in the summer of 1838, Patrick Smith moved into the claim cabin 
which stood on the bank of the Iowa river, in the town site of Napoleon, 
the first county seat. Mrs. Smith was sister to Philip Clark, and she 
gave birth to a daughter some time in August, 1838, in that cabin. It is 
remembered that her delivery was lingering and tedious; that she lay in 
great sufiering about two days: Mr. Trowbridge had got onto his horse 
and started to Bloomington [Muscatine] for a doctor, but was called back 
by the news that the child was born. Some Indian women of Wapasha- 
sheik's village had heard of the "white squaw's" condition, and immedi- 
ately gathered wild herbs or roots from which they made a decoction and 
gave her to drink; and in a few minutes thereafter she was safely 



306 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

delivered. When Trowbridge was going to the stock range to catch his 
horse he met some of the Indian men and told them why he must hurry 
and get his horse and ride to Bloomington for a doctor; they told their 
midwife women about it — and the result was as above stated. 

THE FIRST WEDDING. 

This interesting and historic event occurred Aug. 17, 1838. Johnson 
count}^ was still attached to Cedar for civil purposes, and " the boys " 
went over to Rochester, then the count}^ seat of Cedar county, and procured 
George McCoy, a justice of the peace, to come and tie the double knot — 
for there were two weddings at once. He came to the house of Mr. 
Joseph Stover, in what is now Pleasant V^alley township, and there at one 
job he married Benjamin Ritter to Miss Mary Stover, and Martin Smith to 
Miss Martha McLucas. Wilson Smith, a son of this last couple, now 
lives in Pleasant Valley township, on the very farm where his father and 
mother were married. So, although he was not the first boy born in the 
county, he was a son of the first wedding in the county. 

Benjamin Ritter is still living, and resides in Iowa City. 

FIRST DEATHS. 

The first death and burial in Iowa City, was that of a little girl, and her 
grave-stone may still be read in the old or south part of Oakland ceme- 
tery. The inscription is: "Dedicated to the memory of Cordelia Swan, 
daughter of Chauncey and Dolly Swan, who died September 10, 1839, 
age4 ffve years, four months, and 26 da3^s." Mrs. Swan, the mother of 
this little girl, died February 11, 1847, aid lies buried beside her child. 

The first adult burial here was that of Samuel Bumgardner, who died 
of typhoid fever, November 5, 1839, and was buried_ at the same place, 
where his monument can still be seen. He was from Rockbridge county, 
Virginia. 

Tha Jirst death of cni adult w?iS ihdit of Benjamin Miller, the man who 
started the first ferry in Johnson county. He took the claim where Jacob 
Stover now lives, near the count}^ fair ground, and died there, October 
26, 1839, aged 46 years, eight months, one day. He was buried on land 
where H. W. Lathrop now lives, but the body was afterward removed 
to Oakland cemetery, in the city. 

FIRST CORONER CASES. 

The first cases on record in which a coroner's jur}'' was empaneled, are 
mentioned Oct. 5, 1811. I. P. Hamilton filed a claim for services of him- 
self and others in holding an inquest on the body of Loins E. Hartz; but 
the board decided that Hartz had property enough to pay all his debts 
and funeral expenses, and hence the county would not pay any coroner 
lees. 

The next case was on the body of John Cain, deceased. The board 
decided that the cause and manner of Mr. Cain's death was well known, 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 307 

and there was no need of a coroner's inquest. So they refused to pay 
this bill also. But the next day October 6, it is recorded that the coroner 
was allowed $10 for his services in the case of John Cain, deceased. 

FIRST DOCTORS. 

The first doctor in the county was old Dr. Teeples, who lived on Eng- 
lish river, in that part of the original Johnson county which was after- 
ward given to Washington county. Dr. Isaac N. Lesh ought to have 
been the first, but he wasn't a doctor at all, although the title is repeatedly 
given him on the county records. He had " read medicine" awhile with 
some physician east, but didn't like the business and never , considered 
himself a doctor. A Dr. Morrow came next, and bought the Bumgard- 
ner claim, next to Capt. Irish's; he batched with S. H. McCrory awhile, 
but soon went down to Muscatine county, was elected clerk of the court, 
and ultimately died there. Dr. Henry Murray was really the first regu- 
lar practicing physician who came and made a permanent settlement in 
the county. And Isaiah P. Hamilton, who was the first count}^ recorder, 
and made the first record of a deed that was ever made in the county, 
afterward studied medicine with Dr. Murray, and finally removed to Wis- 
consin. 

THE FIRST 4th OF JULY. 

The "glorious -ith" was first celebrated at Gilbert's trading-house 
on July 4, 1^37, consisting of free liquor and a "glorious drunk" all around. 
The new trading house (Gilbert's) had just opened for business. .Henry 
Felkner had brought three barrels of whisky up from Muscatine for Gil- 
bert, and it was his treat for all hands. The order of exercises was that 
every man should take his turn between drinks and make a speech, tell a 
story or sing a song; and as there were thirteen or fourteen men present 
they got a good deal Tof Bacchanalir.n fun out of the "celebration." But 
the three barrels of whisky didn't all go that way. Gilbert had built his 
trading-house just ovei- the then existing treat}^ line, on the Indians' land; 
and to compensate and satisfy them for this he gave them two barrels of 
whisky, which kept up "4th of July" in the two Indian villages for sev- 
eral weeks. Old Poweshiek loved whisky and was as bad as a white 
man for drunkenness; but Wapashashiek kept sober, and discountenanced 
the use of liquor as much as possible among the men of his village. 

The next and more historic 4th of July celebration occurred on the 
ground where the State University now stands, on July 4, 1839. The 
new capitol commissioners, who met at Napoleon in May and decided on 
the location for the capital city, had appointed one of their number, Chaun- 
cey Swan, Esq., to go on and lay out the town. He employed Col. Thomas 
Cox and Gen. John Frierson as surveyors, and JL. Judson as draftsman, 
besides a corps of assistants and laborers to prosecute the work. By the 
4th of July they had made a clearing of hazel brush and small trees, and 
set their corner stakes as far as the spot where the capitol building was 



308 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

to be located. And here was the time and the occasion for a grand 
pioneer 4th of July jubilee. The officers of the day were: 

President — Col. Thomas Cox. 

Marshal — Sheriff's. C. Trowbridge. 

Secretar}'- — Postmaster S. H. McCrory. 

Orator — Gen. John Frierson. 

Reader of Declaration — (not ascertained). 

By direction of Commissioner Swan a tall straight oak tree was trimmed 
of its branches and made to do duty as a flag pole; and here was proba- 
bly the first time the stars and stripes were ever unfurled to the air of 
Johnson county. 

Jonathan Harris was then keeping tavern in the old Gilbert trading 
house, about four miles down the river, and the fresh cooked part of the 
dinner was prepared there and hauled up, although the neighbors for fif- 
teen or twenty miles around brought baskets of provisions with them. 
Wagon boxes were lifted off' their wheels and turned bottom upward to 
serve as pic-nic tables. After dinner regular and volunteer toasts were 
offered and responded to in the most approved "down east" 4th of July 
fashion. 

At proper time Col. Trowbridge and two lads, named Sihon and James 
Hill, pulled a wagon into a good shade for the orator to stand in, and laid 
a board across the wagon box for him to lay his manuscript on — a sort of 
improvised pulpit arrangement. The story heretofore published that the 
orator of this occasion stood on a whisky barrel may be very funny, but 
// isii't true. Mrs. TenEyck of Iowa City, and Mrs. Jonathan Harris, 
now residing at Montour, Tama County, Iowa, are supposed to be the. 
only women still living (1882) who were present at that celebration. 

This was really the first general gathering of the settlers of the county 
in a social way, with their families, and they had great times trying to tell 
each other where they lived. It must be remembered there were no 
survey lines and no public roads by which to mark localities at this time; 
hence the descriptions were — "on such a stream," "beyond such a 
marsh," "in such a grove," "near such a sand ridge," "around such a 
bend," "across such a bottom," and so on till the category of native land- 
marks was exhausted. 

FIRST SALE OF LOTS. 

The survey of the new capital city had so far progressed by July 4, 
1889, that at the celebration on that day it was announced that the first 
sale of lots would take place August IS, 1839. This notice being pub- 
lished in eastern papers, attracted the attention and presence of many 
capitalists, who began arriving upon the ground some days previous to the 
sale. Three days were consumed b}^ it, and the proceeds amounted to 
$75,000, property going off briskly and at high prices. Early in October, 
1839, the second sale of lots took place, the proceeds of which amounted 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 309 

to $30,000. Immigrants now began to pour in daily, many of them living 
in tents until cabins could be built. The fame of the new capital of the 
new territory had spread through the east, and many came expecting to 
see a city that would rival the metropolitan centers of the older States. 
The territoral Legislature convened at Iowa City for the first time, Dec. 
6, 1841. 

The first Z/^/^/ in Iowa City was a double log-cabin structure, which 
stood on what is now the corner of Gilbert and Brown streets. A claim 
cabin had been built there in February, 1839; and in June of the same 
year another cabin was built twenty feet from the first one. The area 
between them was roofed over, and used for a bar-room, and these together 
constituted a first-class hotel, or " tavern," as it was called in those days. 
Asaph Allen and G. T. Andrews were the proprietors. Andrews died, 
but Allen returned to Ohio, and is still living (1882). 

Many scenes and incidents of pioneer life transpired at this old log tav- 
ern — some of them very sad, indeed, for here pioneer whisky was dealt 
out without any thought, or fear, or care of law to the contrar}', either in 
the Book of God, or the statutes or constitutions of man. And whisky 
wrought wretchedness and mortal woe to man the same in those days as 
now, when indulged in as a beverage. But over such scenes as this fact 
calls up let us draw the veil of willing forgetfulness, hoping that they are 
to be re-enacted in Iowa no more forever. This old tavern site was also 
on the line, at the very track's edge, of the projected Lyons and Western 
railroad, one of those egregious frauds and swindles which were perpe- 
trated on the early settlers of Iowa, and in fact in every one of our western 
states. For particulars of this matter see our chapter on railroads of the 
county. Remnants of the old grade can be traced for a mile or two, even 
to the last dump of earth made on the river bluff, where was to commence 
the wonderful bridge, seventeen hundred feet long, and one hundred and 
fifty feet above the surface of the water. An}' person who will go there 
now, and view the site, will see at once what crazy schemes were devised 
and talked up, to delude the people into voting taxes for a purely imagin- 
ary and utterly preposterous and impracticable promise of benefit. 

Matthew TenEyck seems to have been the first white man who per- 
manently settled and made a home on land now included within the bounds 
of Iowa City. This was in the early part of 1839, for the commissioners 
who came to survey and lay out the capital city, obtained board at Ten- 
Eyck's cabin. 

The first white child born in Iowa City was Hannah TenEyck, who 
was born in the above mentioned cabin, on January 8, 1840. 

The first regularly and well built house other than cabins, was built by 
Mr. TenEyck on the corner of Iowa Avenue and Dubuque streets. It 
was of solid hewn timber, two stories high, and quite roomy. It was 
20 



310 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

burned down, after having been occupied as a residence, tavern and board- 
ing house for some twenty years. 

The first frame house was built by Wesley Jones, on the present site of 
the Powell block, south of University Square, in which was stored and 
sold the first stock of goods brought to this city. 

The first brick building was erected by Mr. Bostwick, and the first reg- 
ular hotel was built and conducted b}?^ Walter Butler. These buildings 
were all erected in 1889. But Allen & Andrews' old double cabin "tav- 
ern," at the corner of Brown and Gilbert streets, was still earlier than 
Butler's hotel. 

In 1840 Samuel II. McCrory was postmaster at Iowa City, and estab- 
lished the first postoflice in the city in a rough log building that stood on 
the first block north of Capitol Square (now the University Campus), and 
a mail route was opened from Muscatine to Iowa Cit}', with a contract to 
furnish a weekly mail. Before this date, the meagre mail had been 
brought in a very irregular way from Muscatine up to wherever the "Na- 
poleon" postoffice happened for the time to be located. [See article on 
successive postmasters.] 

The first church in Johnson county was erected by the Protestant 
Methodist Association at Iowa City in 1844, the corner stone being laid 
May i;^, by the Rev. John Libby, his exxellency Gov. Lucas assisting in 
the ceremony. 

In December, 1841, the first meeting of the legislature in Iowa City 
occurred. The capitol building was not ready for them yet, and they 
held their sessions in the Hutchinson house. This was a large frame 
building that stood on Washington street next south of the corner block- 
where Whetstones drug store is now (1882) — on the ^ame ground now 
occupied by the building in whith Mr. Schell has his shoe store. The 
old Hutchinson house now stands on Dubuque, between College and Bur- 
lington streets, being occupied in 1882 by Mr. Springer. It is one of the 
few remaining relics of the pioneer city. 

THE FIRST MILL UAM. 

The first flouring mill in Johnson county was erected and run by David 
and Joshua Switzer, in 1841, and was located on Clear creek. In this 
mill was ground the first flour and meal manufactured in the county. 

But how large a dam they built the historian did not learn. 

Secondly. — By an act of the council and house of representatives of the 
territory of Iowa, approved Dec. 15, 1840, Walter Terrill was authorized 
to construct a dam across the Iowa river in Johnson county at a point on 
the southwest quarter of section No. three, in township sevent3^-nine north, 
range six west, — the dam not to exceed five feet above the ordinary low 
water mark, — and provided that said dam be completed within the term 
of three years from the passage of said act. It was also stipulated that 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 311 

this dam should not obstruct the navigation of the Iowa river. The vis- 
ion of steamboats plyini^ up and down this stream was a vapory delusion 
then fondly hugged by probably a majority of the settlers. Mr. Terrill 
went away south, to Louisiana; he did not return until the winter or early 
spring of 1843 — and in April of this year he commenced building the 
dam. While that was in progress he also buill a mill, which has been 
known ever since as " Terrill's Mill." The property is now owned (1882) 
by Mrs. Mary Terrill. 

Terrill's was the first permit ever given to construct a dam on the Iowa 
river. 

SECOND MILL DAM ON IOWA RIVER. 

Silas Foster, Esq., of Iowa City, relates that in the spring of 1843 a 
meeting was held at the office of Judge John G. Coleman, to consider the 
matter of building a dam. An adjourned meeting was held at the Tre- 
mont House, and a joint stock company was formed, of $.5,000, at $2.5 per 
share. The directors elected were: Chauncey Swan, Augustus C. 
Mc Arthur and J. K. Haverstraw. Officers — President, Chauncev Swan; 
secretary and treasurer, Silas Foster; superintendent, A. B. Newcomb. 
Work on the dam was commenced June 18, 1843. 

The site was donated by Walter Butler, but reserving certain uses of 
the dam himself for a saw mill, etc. As the dam progressed, a mill was 
also commenced; and on January 1, 1844, the workmen and stockholders 
had a New Year feast of corn dodgers and mush, made from meal ground 
that day in the mill — its first grist. 

The dam was four hundred feet long, and had cost only tzventy-five fl'b/- 
/«r5 in money paid out. Here is a miracle! It happened in ^this way. 
Many of the stockholders paid for their shares in work, while others 
paid in supplies to house and feed the workmen. Judge Coleman and 
Philip Clark paid their shares, four each, making a total of $200, in 
meat and flour, for the workmen. C.C. Buck paid his shares in groceries. 
This dam was on nearly the same site now known as the Coralville dam. 
(See " Annals of Iowa," April," 1869.) 

The first dam was ten feet high, and was, when built, the largest dam 
west of the Mississippi river. It has since been increased to thirteen feet, 
vertical height, at the apex or overflow. 

FIRST STANDARD MEASURES. 

By the county board, March 6, 1840: 

Ordered by the board, that Abner Wolcott, Esq., be authorized to lur- 
nish the following standard measures for the use of the county, to-wit: 
One three feet measure, one one foot measure, likewise a box containing 
one thousand seventy-five and one-fifth inches, or a half bushel. And 
Henry Felkner, Esq.^ be authorized to furnish an entire set ol standard 
weights for the county's use. 

Col. Ed. Lucas claims to be the first man who ever sowed tame grass 



312 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

seed in Johnson county, and says he is prouder of that than he ever was 
of ^oing to the le^^islature. This may seem like a small matter now, but 
at that time nobody believed tame grass would grow here, hence it took 
a good deal of grit to send off to St. Louis, as he had to, and buy a lot of 
timothy and clover seed, and try the experiment. This was in the fall of 
1845; he sowed the seed on new breaking; it did well; and from that his- 
toric experiment may be dated the rise of Johnson county's fame and suc- 
cess as a fine stock country. Col. Lucas also brought the first peafowls 
into the county. 

CHAPTER IV. -PART ;',. 



Old Settlers Organization — Constilution— Enrolled Names-- Various Meetings— Officers, etc. 
OLD settler's association. 

Some claim that an old settler's association was organized in February, 
1859. An editorial statement to this effect was made in some number of 
the "Annals of Iowa," but we failed to find any authentic record to verify 
it. However, there were social gatherings of old settler friends and neigh- 
bors, several times before any general and formal organization was made. 
The first record preserved shows that a meeting was held in the council 
chamber at Iowa City, Feb. 22, 1866. Officers were elected; and Hon. 
Samuel H. McCrory, Prof. T. S. Parvin and Col. E. W. Lucas were 
appointed to prepare a constitution and by-laws. David Switzer was 
chairman, and J. R. Hartsock, secretary of this meeting; but the names of 
the permanent officers elected will be found attached to the constitution, 
hereafter given. 

A resolution was adopted, "that all who resided in Iowa before the first 
of January, 1813, be regarded as 'Old Settlers,' and eligible to member- 
ship in the association." But the constitution as adopted, recognized any- 
body who had lived in the State twenty years, or more, as an "old settler," 
no matter when he came. 

A cotnmittee of one from each township was appointed "to collect 
the names of all the old settlers, and report them to the secretary of the 
association to be recorded." Remember, this order was made at the same 
time the rule was adopted to count as "okl settlers" only those who came 
before 1843. This committee was: 



Graham township Jesse Strawbridge 
Hardin " . . . A. D. Packard 
Sharon " . . . . W. B. Ford 
Scott " .... John Parrott 
Cedar " ... Edwin Brown 
Union " P. Harris 



Washington township.. .Titus Fry 
Libert}^ township. . Henry Earhart 
Newport " . . Henry Felkner 
Iowa Cit}- " . Perry D. Turner 
Big Grove " Charles McCune 
Penn " .... D. A. Shafer 
Oxford " H. Hamilton 



Madison " David Rixy 

Fremont " .... Henry Welsh , PleasantValley township I. J.Burge 



Monroe " ....P. H. Barnes 

Clear Creek township. . . . Geo. Paul 



Jefferson township. . Benj. Swisher 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 313 

On March 10, 1866, they met attain. Mr. McCrory presented the con- 
stitution prepared by the committee, it beinj^ mostly the same as one 
obtained from a similiar association in Scott county, which holds its meet- 
ings at Davenport. 

The next meeting of the association was on June 2, 1866, at which time 
it was ordered that two hundred copies of the constitution should be 
prin ed and circulated. 

Also, provision was made for holding a re-union and festival on the 21st 
of June, and on the 4:th the following programme was published: 

The annual festival of the old settlers of Johnson county will be held on 
Thursday, June 21, 1866, in the grove at the east end of College street, in 
Iowa City. 

S. H. BoNHAM to deliver the annual address. 

The following committees are appointed to carry out the arrangement. 

Committee to erect table and speaker's stand — Edward Lannino-, Geo. 
Paul and M. D. Freeman. 

Committee to receive provisions — Col. S. C. Trowbrido-e, Laurence 
Johnson, J. W. Swollbrd, John McCrory and Horace Sanders. 

Committee to arrange the tables — Mrs. Terrell, Mrs. Geo. Paul, Miss 
McCrory, Mrs. E. K. Morse, Mrs. S. C. Trowbridge, Mrs. Cyrus San- 
ders, Misses Mary SutlifF, Ella Felkner, Ada Kimball, Helen McCune 
and Hattie Van Fleet, and Mrs. Titus R. Fry. 

Committee on dishes — J. R. Hartsock, A. B. Walker, John P. Irish 
Willie Crum, M. Cavanagh. 

Committee on water and refreshments — John Shoup, Charles Paul, I. V. 
Willis, Charlie Hutchinson, W. H. L. Swaftbrd and Thos. M. Irish. 

Committee on music — Robert Hutchinson, Thos. Snyder and E. Red- 
head. 

Committee on toasts and responses— David Switzer, A. C. Sutliff, 
Titus R. Fry, S. H. McCrory, Warner Spurrier, F. M. Irish, E. Welsh^ 
Charles Cartwright and Wm. Crum. 

The hour for meeting on the ground is 9 o'clock a. m. of said day. 

Each family is expected to furnish the necessary provisions, such as 
meats, bread, cakes, pies, pickles, fruits and fancy articles for the table, to 
make a No. 1 di)iner, and to deliver when on the ground to the committee, 
of which Col. S. C. Trowbridge is chairman. 

The committee on arrangements expect, and would most earnestly 
solicit every family of old settlers to take hold in the true spirit of an old 
settler, and be present on that occasion. Any information wanted will be 
given by applying to the committee of arrangements. 

E. W. Lucas, Sylvanus Johnson, James Cavanagh, John R. Van Fleet, 
L. S. S. Swafibrd, committee on arrangements. 

CONSTITUTION OF THE OLD SETTI.ERs' ASSOCIATION, ADOPTED MARCH 10 

1866. 

Whereas, The old settlers are rapidly passing away, we feel it to be 
our duty to gather, and preserve the memories of a settlement that has 
resulted in a growth and development so great, and feeling that the recol- 
lection of the past, and the hope of the future, link us together, as a 
brotherhood, we do now ordain and establish this constitution: 

Article i. — This associalion shall be called the Old Settlers, Association 
of Johnson County, Iowa. 



314 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Article ii. — The officers of this association shall be a president, three 
vice presidents, recording secretary, corresponding secretary and treasurer. 
Article hi. — The president shall preside at all meetings of the asso- 
ciation, and preserve order, and in case of an equal decision, give the cast- 
ing vote. He may call special meetings of the association, at the request 
of eight (8) members. In case of the absence of the president, or hs 
inability to act, the senior vice-president shall perform his duties. 

Article w. — Sec. i. The recording secretary of the association shall 
keep a true record of its proceedings, and shall keep a register, called the 
old settler's register, in which shall be registered the name, age, place of 
n;,t vity, occupation, date of settlement in Iowa, date and place of death of 
each member, when such shall occur. 

Scr. 2. The secretary shall ascertain from the above facts, as respects 
themselves, at the time of signing the constitution, and perform such other 
duties as may from time to time be assigned him. 

Article v. The corresponding secretary shall receive and read to the 
association, and answer all communications addressed to it, and perform 
such other duties as ma}^ from time to time be assigned him . 

Article vi. The treasurer shall receive alimonies belonging to the 
association, and disburse the same and render an account at the expiration 
of his term of office, and hand over all monies, books and papers, to his 
successor. 

Article vii. — 6Vr. /. All officers of the association, hereafter shall 
be elected annually, on the first Saturday of March, and hold their office 
for one year, or until their successors are elected. 

Scr. 2. After each annual election the president shall appoint an execu- 
tive committee of five, whose duty it shall be to make all necessary 
arrangements for an anniversary meeting of the association at such time 
and place as they shall deem most expedient, and having determined on 
the time and place, give notice of the same. 

Article viii. All persons who are non-residents of Johnson county, 
who were residents of Iowa at the time of the adoption of the tirst State 
constitution for the State of Iowa, and who are of good moral character, 
are eligible to membership. 

Article ix. — Sec. i. Every member shall sign the constitution, and 
pay to the treasurer fifty cents, and thereafter twenty-live cents annually. 
Sec. 2. All persons hereafter that have resided twenty years in Iowa 
and are residents of Johnson county, may become members by applying 
to the executive committee; provided a majority of the committee are in 
favor of such persons being admitted as members of the association regu- 
lating the admission of members. 

Article x. A majority of all the members of the association may 
alter or amend the constitution, at the annual meeting in March. 

Article xi. The executive committee shall select a suitable person 
to deliver an address before the association, on the day of the anniversary 
meeting. 

Article xii. The families of all members are privileged to attend the 
anniversary meeting of the association. 

Article xiii. Whenever practicable, the members of the association 
shall attend in a body the funeral of any deceased member; and as a token 
of respect, shall wear the usual badge of mourning. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 



315 



OFFICERS OF THE OLD SETTLERS ASSOCIATION. 

David Switzer, president. 

F. M. Irish, Robert Walker, Henry Felkner, vice presidents. 

Silas Foster, recording secretary, 

Theodore S. Parvin, corresponding secretary. 

Peter Roberts, treasurer. 

NAMES SIGNED. 

The following names appear signed to the constitution, each in his own 
handwriting: 

F. M. Irish, 
Bryan Dennis, 
T. S. Parvin, 
F. Kimball, 
Edward Lanning, 
W. N. Chalfant, 
J. N. Seydel, 
Henry N. Berry, 
I. C. Shat^; 
Wm. Windrem, jr, 
Peter Roberts, 
Aaron Canott, 
S. J. Hess, 
John Porter, 
Louis S. Swofiord, 
Henry Earhart, 
William Jayne, 
Chas. Cartwright, 
Sylvanus Johnson, 
Abel Stevens, 
Chas. H. Berryhill, 
Jas.R. Hartsock, 
Isaac Bowen, 
Charles Gaymon, 
R. Hutchinson, 
Green Hill, 

The secretary procured a splendid book, in accordance with his duties 
laid down in Article IV. of the constitution ; but to collect and record the 
facts as required proved to be a larger contract than either the secretary 
or the members had any idea it would be; and the following complete 
transcript from the book shows all that had been accomplished in that 
line up to Sept. 20, 1882: 

NAMES ON THE OLD SETTLERs' REGISTER. 

David Switzer, was born in Pennsylvania, May 1, 1800. Settled in Iowa 
in 1838. Occupation a farmer. Deceased. 

Frederick Macy Irish, was born in New York, March 13, 1801. Set- 
tled in Iowa in 1839. Occupation sailor and farmer. Died in Iowa City 
February 16, 1875. 

David" B. Case, was born in Tennessee, November 20, 1815. Settled 
in Iowa in 1836. Occupation a farmer. 

E. M. Adams, was born in Maine, September 7, 1811. Settled in Iowa 
in 1837. Occupation a farmer. 



Silas Foster, 
James Cavanagh. 
George Paul, 
Mathew TenEyck, 
J. Shoup, 
David B. Cox, 
Daniel Hart, 
H. D. Packard, 
D. K. Shaver, 
S. J. Switzer, 
Levi M . Phillips, 
O. A. Patterson, 
Jabez Stevens, 
Cyrus wSanders, 
Christian Dodt, 
Edgar Harrison, 
Thomas D. Jones, 
John L. Gordon, 
Jno. P. Irish, 
Geo. W. McCleary, 
Edw'd;W. Lucas, 
Geo. S. Hampton, 
John R. VanFleet, 
J. W. Holt, 
S. C.Trowbridge, 
Sam. H. McCrory, 



J. Y. Black well, 
Robert Walker, 
Samuel Mitchell, 
David Simonton, 
Thos. W. Butler, 
E. Shepard, 
Philp Clark, 
J. R. Strawbridge, 

D. Switzer, 
H. W. Collins, 
T. C. Turner, 
Henry Felkner, 

E. M. Adams, 
George Fesler, 
Allen Phillips, 
J as. H. Gower, 
John M. Anson, 
J. J. Mendenh;dl, 
A. C. Denison, 
Garret Lancaster, 
R. B. Woods, 
Mathew Cavanagh, 
John W. Alt, ■ 

N. Scales, 
Thomas Hill, 



316 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Samuel C. Trowbridge, was born in Virginia, May 1, 1812. Settled in 
Iowa, in ISIJI. Occupation a farmer. 

James R. Hartsock, was born in Pennsylvania, May 15, 1818. Settled 
in Iowa in 1838. Occupation an artist and postmaster. 

A. D. Packard, was born in Ohio, July 2, 1816. Settled in Iowa in 

1838. Occupation, a farmer. 

Samuel J. Switzer, was born in Maryland, March 27, 1832, Settled in 
Iowa in 1838. Occupation, a farmer. 

Franklin Kimball, was born in Maine, June 20, 1812. Settled in Iowa 
in 1810. Occupation, mai-ketman; deceased. 

Isaac Bowen, was born in Ohio, August 23, 1812. Settled in Iowa in 

1839. Occupation, a farmer. 

Bryan Dennis, was born in Ohio, April 1, 1819. Settled in Iowa in 
1839. Occupation a farmer. 

Charles H. Berryhill, was born in Pennsylvania, December 7, 1818. 
Settled in Iowa in 1839. Occupation, merchant, farmer and speculator; 
deceased. 

Robert Hutchinson, was born in New Hampshire, September 16, 1814. 
Settled in Iowa in 1839. Occupation, carpenter. 

George Fesler, was born in Virginia, November 23, 1824. Settled in 
low^a in 1840. Occupation, farmer. 

Edward Lanning, was born in New^ Jersey, May 7, 1815. Settled in 
Iowa in 1840. Occupation, horticulturist. 

James H. Gower, was born in Maine, October 22, 1806. Settled in Iowa 
in 1840. Occupation varied; deceased. 

Silas Foster, was born in New Hampshire, October 24, 1802. Settled 
in Iowa in 1839. Occupation, mercantile; deceased. 

O. A. Patterson, was born in Indiana, January 28, 1827. Settled in Iowa 
in 1841. Occupation, merchant. 

Mathew TenEyck, was born in New Jersey, August 12, 1805. Settled 
in Iowa in 1839. Occupation, farmer. 

Abel Stevens, was born in Vermont, October 19, 1811. Settled in Iowa 
in 1841. Occupation, farmer; deceased. 

Charles Gayman, was born in Pennsylvania, October 17, 1817. Settled 
in Iowa in 1841. Occupation, farmer, 
^^ohn M. Anson, was born in France, November 2, 1817. Settled in 
Iowa in 1846. Occupation, farmer. 

Charles Cartwright, was born in North Carolina, November 26, 1811. 
Settled in Iowa in 1842. Occupation, carpenter. 

D. K. Shaver, was born in Pennsylvania, January 3, 1822. Settled in 
Iowa in 1842. Occupation, farmer. 

Allen Phillips, was born in Indiana, June 12, 1819. Settled in Iowa in 
1839. Occupation, farmer; deceased. 

Levi M. Phillips, was born in Illinois, March 22, 1837. Settled in Iowa 
in 1839. Occupation, farmer. 

W. N. Chalfant, was born in Ohio, September 25, 1832. Settled in 
Iowa in 1840. Occupation, carpenter. 

J.J. Mendinhall, was born in Pennsylvania, Aug. 17, 1817. Settled in 
Iowa in 1841. Occupation, farmer. 

Jabez Stevens, was born in Vermont, June 6, 1815. Settled in Iowa in 
1841. Occupation, farmer. 

J. N. Seydel, was born in Ohio, Jan. 24, 1830. Settled in Iowa in 1842. 
Occupation, tinner. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 317 

Green Hill, was born in North Carolina, Aug, 4, 1801. Settled in 
Iowa in 1839. Occupation, farmer. Deceased. 

George W. McCleary, was born in Ohio, Feb. 28, 1812. Settled in 
Iowa in 1839. Occupation, mercantile. Deceased. 

William Jaynes, was born in New Jersey, Jan. 26, 1802. Settled in 
Iowa in 1839. Occupation, carpenter. Deceased. 

Henry Felkner, was born in Ohio, April 18, 1810. Settled in lawa 
in 1837. Occupation, farmer. 

Thomas Hill, was born in Pennsylvania, Dec. 15, 1800. Settled in Iowa 
in 1840. Occupation, farmer. 

John R. Vanfleet, was born in Pennsylvania, Dec. 6, 1818. Settled in 
Iowa in 1839. Occupation, farmer. Deceased. 

A. C. Denison, was born in Ohio, April 12, 1813. Settled in Iowa in 

1838. Occupation, farmer. 

Cyrus Sanders, was born in Ohio, Sept. 28, 1817. Settled in Iowa in 

1839. Occupation, farmer. 

J. Y. Blackwell, was born in Pennsylvania, Dec. 10, 1815. Settled in 
Iowa in 1842. Occupation, lawyer. 

Henry N. Berry, was born in Iowa, Dec. 17, 1844. Occupation, 
farmer. 

Garret Lancaster, was born in New York, Dec. 2, 1827. Settled in 
Iowa in 1837. Occupation, cooper. 

Clinton Dodt, was born in New York, Jan. 31, 1833. Settled in Iowa 
in 1846. Occupation, farmer. 

Robert Walker, was born in New York, Oct. 4, 1802. Settled in Iowa 
in 1838. Occupation, farmer. Deceased. 

Mrs. J. C. Shoff, was born in Canada West, Jan. 4, 1825. Settled in 
Iowa in 1843. Occupation, milliner and dressmaker. 

R. B. Woods, was born in Indiana, Jan. 14, 1841. Settled in Iowa in 
1842. Occupation, farmer. Deceased. 

Edgar Harrison, was born in Virginia, April 7, 1833. Settled in Iowa 
in 1844. Occupation, printer. 

William Windram, Jr., was born in Pennsylvania, June 7, 1836. Set- 
tled in Iowa in 1842. Occupation, farmer. 

Samuel Mitchel, was born in Maryland, Jan. 17, 1829. Settled in Iowa 
in 1842. Occupation, painter. 

Mathew Cavanagh, was born in Michigan, May 13, 1832. Settled in 
Iowa in 1839. Occupation, lawyer. 

Thomas D. Jones, was born in Wales, June 21, 1789. Settled in Iowa 
in 1842. Occupation, farmer. 

George S. Hamilton, was born in Kentucky, May 18, 1806. Settled 
in Iowa in 1840. Occupation, lawyer. Deceased. 

Peter Roberts, was born in Pennsylvania, April .30, 1809. Settled in 
Iowa in 1841. Occupation, cabinet maker. Deceased. 

Lewis S. Swafford, was born in Indiana, October 31, 1818. Settled in 
Iowa in 1840. Occupation, carpenter. 

David Simonton, was born in Delaware, January 1, 1798. Settled in 
Iowa in 1845. Occupation, farmer. Deceased. 

John W. Alt, was born in Virginia, April 5, 1815. Settled in Iowa in 
1839. Occupation, farmer. 

John Powell Irish, was born in Iowa City, January 1, 1843. Occupa- 
tion, printer. 



318 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

ADDITIONAL NAMES. 

The following additional names of members who had paid their fee we 
found on loose sheets of paper, but they had not been entered in the 
" Register" book: 

James McAllister, was born in Pike county, Ohio, in 1831. 
—Bradford Henyon, was born in Seneca county, N. Y., in 1817. Set- 
tled in Iowa in 1836. Deceased. 

Mathew Albright, was born in York count}', Pa., in 1815. Settled in 
Iowa in 1849. 

J. N. McCaddon, was born in Fayette county, Pa., in 1806. Settled in 
Iowa in 1849. Deceased. 

Edward Carson, was born in Washington county, Tenn., in 1810. Set- 
tled in Iowa in 1843. Deceased. 

Titus R. Fry, was born in Licking count}^ O., in 1811. Settled in 
Iowa in 1840. 

Enos Fry, was born in Licking county, O., in 1812. Settled in Iowa 
in 18 — . Occupation, wagon-maker. 

W. D. Canon, was born in Johnson county, Iowa, in 1840. 

H. W. Lathrup, was born in Franklin county, Mass., in 1819. Settled 
in Iowa in 1847. 

Joseph R.Johnson, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1809. Settled in Iowa 
in 1841. 

James Magruder, was born in Chesterfield county, Va., in 1814. Set- 
tled in Iowa in 1838. 

Mathew Cochran, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1828. Settled in 
Iowa in 1843. 

William Cochran, was born in Morris county, N. J., in 1830. Settled 
in Iowa in 1843. 

James C. Hamilton, was born in St. Joseph county, Ind., in 1833. Set- 
tled in Iowa in 1837. 

Charles Pinney, was born in Franklin county, O., in 1812. Settled in 
Iowa in 1840. 

William Crum, was born in Dauphin county. Pa., in 1818. Settled in 
Iowa in 1840. Deceased. 

A. W. G. Norse, was born in New York, in 1832. Settled in Iowa in 
1841. 

John Lemore, was born in Scotland, in 1819. Settled in Iowa in 1847. 

Abram Miller, was born in Preston county, W. Va., in 1822. Settled 
in Iowa in 1839. Deceased. 

Samuel McCaddon, was born in Trumbull county, O., in 1825. Set- 
tled in Iowa in 1848. Deceased. 

John Porter, was born in Adams county, O., in 1814. Settled in Iowa 
in 1842. Deceased. 

Daniel Hart, was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1801. Settled in 
Iowa in 1846. Deceased. 

Edwin A. Brown, was born in New York in 1819. Settled in Iowa in 
1839. 

Jacob Bean, was born in Baden, Germany, in 1815. Settled in Iowa in 
1844. 

Rush Mendenhall, was born in Johnson county, Iowa, in 1849. 

C. H. Bane, was born in Johnson county, Iowa, in 1843. 

A. C. Dennison, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, in 1813. Set- 
tled in Iowa in 1838. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 319 

Christopher S. Roplen, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, in 1819. 
Settled in Iowa in ISiO. 

Samuel Hunter, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1825. Set- 
tled in Iowa in 1850. 

Jo'nn Cohnan, was born in York county. Pa., in 1818. Settled in Iowa 
in lS-J-8. Deceased. 

J. S. McCrory, was born in Johnson county, in 1845. 

Wm. T. Sweet, was born in Champaign county, Ohio, in 1833. Set- 
tled in Iowa in 1839. 

Theodore S. Parvin, was born in Cumberland county. New Jersey, 
Jan. 15, 1817. Removed to Iowa in July, 1838, (Blooraington, now Mus- 
catine,) and to Iowa City Sept. 1, 1860. 

Henry Hart, was born in Chenango county, N. Y., July 4, 1839. Came 
to Iowa in 1849. 

James Cavanagh, was born in Butler county, Ohio, in 1806. Settled 
in Iowa in 1839. Deceased. 

Philo Haynes, was born in New London county. Conn., in 1814. Set- 
tled in Iowa in 1842. 

E. K. Morse, was born in Windham county. Conn., in 1816. Came to 
Iowa in 1838. Deceased. 

Julius G. Brown, was born in Erie county. New York, in 1818. Came 
to Iowa in 1839. 

A. L. Clark, was born in Essex county. New Jersey, in 1832. Settled 
in Iowa in 1852. 

Florence A. Clark, was born in Pike county, Ohio, in 1842. Settled 
in Iowa in 1848. 

Horace Kimball, was born in Iowa City Sept. 2, 1849. 

Jacob Ricord, was born in Philadelphia Sept. 26, 1816. Came to Iowa 
City March 4, 1840. 

Emily Ricord, was born in Missouri in 1829. Came to Iowa (at 
Dubuque) in 1834. 

Henry Bechtel, 1845.* 

Samuel Welch, 1841.* 

J. J. Ressler, 1840.* 

Fanny Ressler, 1849.* 

Anna Albright, 1849.* 

Henry Walker, was born in Portage county, Ohio, in 1829. Settled in 
Iowa in 1841., Farmer. 

John Wilson, was born in Ohio in 1809. Came to Iowa in 1842. 
Farmer. 

L. G. Wilson, was born in Monroe county, Ohio. Came to Iowa in 
1842. Merchant. 

The next meeting recorded was on June 2, 1869, but on motion of Mr. 
McCrory it adjourned to the 16th. At this adjourned meeting the officers 
elected were — 

President, Samuel H. McCrory. 

Vice-presidents: 1st, John Parrott; 2d, Charles McCune: 3d, Titus 
R. Fry. 

Secretary, John P. Irish. 

Corresponding secretary, T. S. Parvin. 

Treasurer, Edward Lanning. 

*This is all there was aiven with these names. 



320 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

President McCrory appointed as executive committee: E. W. Lucas, 
J. R. Hartsock, L. S. Swaftbrd, S. C. Trowbridge and Sylvanus John- 
son. 

At this meeting there was presented a fine group-photograph of mem- 
bers ot the Old Settlers' Association of Scott county, for which a vote of 
thanks was recorded; and a committee, consisting of John P. Irish, S. H. 
McCrory and J. R. Hartsock, was appointed to see what it would cost to 
have a similar picture of the Johnson county association. But that com- 
mittee does not appear ever to have made a report. 

THE SUMMER PIC-NIC — 1S77. 

On Saturday, June 16, 1877, the Old Settlers held a grand pic-nic; but 
we found no record of any formal business transacted by the organized 
society. Gov. Kirkwood and Hon. Rush Clark were expected to address 
the gathering, but both were engaged at the time on undeferable public 
business and could not be present. Speeches were, however, made by J. 
D. Templin and Dr. Ballard. The following list of the persons present 
was published in the Daily Press at the time : 

Henry McCullough, came in 1850; Mrs. McCullough, 1850; Mrs. H. 
Walker, 1842; Mrs. E. Sehorn, 1839; Henry Walker, 1840; Mrs. C. W. 
Irish, 1846; Mrs. John Coldren, 1841; Jabez Stevens, 1841; Chas. Pinney, 
1840: Robert Hutchinson, 1839; Mrs. Robert Hutchinson, 1842: Mrs. Dr. 
Murray, 1839: T. Garvin, 1851; James Hill, 1838; V. I. Willis, 1839; 
Phil. Clark, 1836; Jas. Tucker, 1844; Sylvanus Johnson, 1837; Joseph 
Hemphill, 1845; Jacob Bowen, 1846; Jacob Stover, 1838: B. Henyon, 
1837; Wm. Jayne, 1839; Eph. Welch, 1839; E. G. Stephens, 1853; Zion 
Hill, 1838; J. J. Mendenhall, 1841; J. J. Baker, 1853; Jonas Switzer, 1838; 
Mat. Cochran, 1843; Hiram Watts, 1840; H. H. Beeson, 1838; Mat, 
Cavanagh, 1839; H. Bechtel, 1845; S. E. Gunsolus, 1854; Chas. Calkins. 
1843; W. H. Hoy, 1853; N. Scales, 1840; Sam. Spurrier, 1839; L. W. 
Talbott, 1851; E. F. Brown, 1856: James Cochran, 1853: Green Hill, 
1838: Mrs. Elbert, 1843; H. Murray, 1839; T. S. Parvin, 1838; Geo. 
Osborn, 1854; Jos. Hill, 1846; Mrs. Geo. Paul, 1839; Geo. Paul, 1836; Geo. 
Nelson, 1856 ; Wm. Bovce, 1855 ; Mrs. I. N. Sydel, 1 855 ; T. C. Adams, 1839; 
M. Adams, 1838; Jas.'^Robinson, 1840: Mrs. Middleton, 1847; Jesse N- 
Harris, 1851; Mrs. Tantlinger, 1842; jas. D. Templin, 1845; G. S. Deni- 
son, 1838; A. Patterson, 1841; M. B. Patterson, 1841; H. Earhart, 1837; 
James Cavanagh, 1839; John Potter, 1851 : L. S. Swatibrd, 1840; Col. 
Lucas, 1839; John Renshaw, 1854; Jos. Brown, 1841; Geo. Hevern, 1846; 
I. N. Dessellem, 1854; Mrs. Sanders, 1838; Mr. Gaunt, 1843; Ed. Lan- 
ning, 1840; Miss Mary Lucas, 1838; Ben. Wilde, 1856; L.E.Curtis', 
1856; Mrs. Watts, 1840; Mrs. Pierson, 1840; John Parrot, 1839; S. 
Stagg, 1845; B. W. Coe. 1838; Mrs. McCrory, 1840; D.Jones, 1849; 
John Stevenson, 1856; Wm. Hazard, 1849; Mrs. Wm. H. White, 1840; 
C. Cartwright, 1841 ; S. H. McCrory, 1838; D. B. Cox, 1836 at Mt. 
Pleasant; Mrs. Jos. Huffman, 1847; Peter Roberts, 1841; Ed. Morsej 
1838; W. B. Ford, 1839; H. H. Kerr, 1839; Mrs. Jas. Hill, 1846; Dr. 
Coulter, 1851; Mrs. Burr, 1846; Mrs. Tom, 1847; Geo. Hunter, 1850; 
Dr. Ballard, 1841; Capt. Clark, 1852; D. Ham, 1850; John S. McCrory, 
1845, native; E. R. Handy, 1856; Ben. Ritter, 1838; E. R. Barnes, 1856; 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 321 

Cyrus Sanders, 1839; Mrs. Mvers, 1837; Kate Winchester, 1S39; R. 
Mendenhall, 1812: C. Detwiler"', 1851; Mrs. Thompson, 1839; Mrs. Os- 
borne, 1816; Samuel Yarbroucrh, 1816: J. N. Sevdel, 1811: Mrs. Cohick, 
1810; C. Gaymon, 1811; Mrs. Gavmon. 1839; A.J. Rider, 18.52; N. H. 
Brainerd, 1856; John R. Vanfleet, 1839; M. Bloom, 1857: J. G. Hill, 1851; 
A. P. Alyworth, 1851; Mrs. Whitlock, 1819; M. TenEyck, 1839: Geo. W. 
Dodder," 1855; M. Sevdell, 1815; Henry Basterdey, 1812; H. W. Fvffe, 
1811; L. B. Johnson," 1817; H. -W. Lathrop, 1819; C. Starr, 1857;" H. 
Powell, 1852; Mrs. A. Graham, 1853; Mrs. Jno. Thompson, 1856; Mar- 
tin Doran, 1857; W. E. Freeman, 1851; B. S. Holmes, 1811; Mrs. Holmes, 
1812; Sam. Hess, 1816: Mrs. Hess, 1839; G. D. Palmer, 1815; Mrs. Ed. 
Fracker, 1857; Mrs. Hankins, 1839; T. C. Carson, 1855; Jas. McGruder, 
1837; G. Hankins, 1818; A. Beermaker, 1855; Wm. Green, 1850; Capt. 
Shafer, 1811; N. Zeller, 1816; Jacob Cox, 1811; Geo. Hevern, 1851; Jas. 
S. Beatt}', 1851; John Anderson, 1853; Mrs. Jas. Robinson, 1836. 

THE MEETING IN 1882. 

The last elected president of the association was S. H. McCrory, in 
1869. On his death, the first vice president, John Parrott, became the 
ri^rhtful president: and in response to a request signed b}' about twenty 
members, he called a meeting at the office of Lucas & Lucas, in Iowa 
City, on September 9, 1882. 

At this meeting the following proceedings were had: 

The meeting was called to order by D. B. Cox, Esq., on whose motion 
Hon. George Paul was elected chairman; Robert Lucas was appointed 
secretary. The chairman read the published call, and stated the object of 
the meeting, afier which a general discussion was had on the proposed 
reunion. The chairman appointed the following gentlemen a committee 
on arrangements for a picnic: Jacob Ricord, Col. E. W. Lucas, Cvrus 
Sanders, S. C. Trowbridge, S. J. Hess, Joseph Douglass, D. B. Cox, 
George Borland and James Magruder. 

Upon the adjournment of the meeting, the above committee held a ses- 
sion, and it was determined that the Old Settlers' Association hold their pic- 
nic on Saturday, September 23, at the fair grounds. George Borland, 
Joseph Douglass and D. B. Cox were appointed to prepare the grounds. 
Col. E. W, Lucas, James Magruder, C3-rus Sanders, Sylvanus Johnson 
and L. W. Swafford were appointed committee on invitation. Jacob 
Ricord, S. J, Hess and Hon. Geo. Paul were selected as finance com- 
mittee. 

OLD settlers' reunion OF 1882. 

There were difierent newspaper reports of this affair pubHshed at the 
time; we select that of the Siaie Ptess as in several respects the best one, 
and preserve it here: 

Saturday last, September 23, the Old Settlers and their triends, to the 
number of over five hundred, gathered at the fair grounds, to renew and 
strengthen the ties that have bound them from 1839 to 1882. The pro- 
ceedings were quite informal, and began with a dinner, to which each 
one present contributed with a liberality that forbode good appetites. 
Th^ old settlers have lived long years, and they ate well, for it is five years 
since their former picnic. During the dinner hour the band furnished 
music galore. 



322 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 



Lunch disposed of, the partv gathered in the amphitheater, where Mr. 
Cyrus Sanders opened the programme with a most graphic description of 
early times in Iowa. Mr. Sanders came to Iowa in 1S38, his property a 
compass and staff' and such portables as might be carried in "saddle bags." 
It is probable he has broken down more hazel brush than any other man 
in Johnson county. The first pioneer cabin was built by Nathan Fellows, 
on Clear Creek, the second, by a Mr. Miller, near the fair ground. S. C. 
Trowbridge was the first sheriff', and exercised jurisdiction from the Mis- 
sissippi to the Rocky mountains. At this time the breadth of land between 
Iowa City and Bloomington, (now Muscatine) was an unbroken prairie, 
and many were the surmises as to its future. Then it was hardly deemed 
possible this wide expanse should be settled. There was no Iowa City 
then, but in 1S39 the first stake was driven where the University now 
stands; at that time the city and county had neither lawyer, doctor nor 
preacher. Mr. Sanders was listened to with clo^e attention, and his words 
brought back "ye olden time" to many present. 

Mr. L. B. Patterson spoke of the reasons that induced the migration of 
men from happy homes and thronged cities into the trackless wilderness, 
and closed with an eloquent contrast between the hardships of the pioneers, 
and the comforts and luxuries that now surround them. 

Hon. S. H. Fairall made a ver\- brief address, pointing out the work of 
the old settlers in laying the foundation of our county and State, and the 
debt due them from posterity and history. 

Mr. Samuel Magill, our local laureate, read a pleasant poem, which was 
received with great applause. 

Col. Henderson, of Nebraska, wiio came to Iowa as a surveyor, with 
Mr. Sanders in 1839, and removed to Nebraska eight years later, was 
present, and spoke briefly in fitting words. 

The association then went into business session; the former officers 
were continued, save the secretaryship, made vacant by Hon. Jno. P. 
Irish's removal. Mr. A. E. Swisher was elected to the place. 

Among the old settlers and pioneers present, with wives, children, 
grandchildren and great-grandchildren, were the following: 



Philip Clark, 
Henry Earhart, 
Cvrus Sanders, 
George Paul, 
James Magruder, 
John Parrott, 
Matthew Tt;nE3-ck, 
Jabez Stevens, 
Benj. Ritter, 
Chas. Cartwright, 
M. B. Cline, 
Nathaniel Scales, 
J. Y. Stover, 
Benj. Swisher, 
James Tucker, 
John Morford, 
David Wilson, 
Bryan Dennis, 
Robert Lyon, 
Strawder DevauU, 



I. N. Sanders, 
John Fry, 
Sihon Hill, 

D. B. Cox, 
Carr Hartman, 
J. T. Robinson, 
Sylvester Coe, 
Samuel C. Cole, 

E. Lanning, 
Jno. P. McCune, 
J. Chamberlain, 
Matt Cochran, 
George Hartsock, 
Ichabod Kimball, 
S. J . Switzer, 
S.J. Hess, 

R. B. Sanders, 
E. Clark, 
Henry Gearkee, 
A. E. Swisher, 



Walter Terrill, 
Henry Walker, 
H. H: Kerr, 
J. J. Ressler, 
Thomas Hill, 
Allen Cloud, 
Peter Rohret, 
J. M. Douglass, 
Henry Medowell, 
Pres. Conelly, 
James Hartman, 
Charles Smith, 
A. H. Humphrey, 
•Isaac Smith, 
Chas. W. McCune, 
Edward Tudor, 
Phil Shaver, 
Horace Kimball, 
H. W. Lathrop, 
John Renshaw, 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY 



323 



Henry Herring, 
Sylvanus Johnson, 
A. D. Packard, 
Jacob Ricord, 
Jacob Bowman, 
Jacob Gobin, 
Gottlieb Ressler, 

D. A. Shafer, 
Benj, Horner, 

E. W. Lucas, 
E. M. Adams, . 
Mordecai Cropper, 
George Andrews, 
Casper Dunkel, 
Charles Gavmon, 



Wm. Wolfe, 
H. W. Fyfte, 
J. G. Sperry, 
S. Henderson, 
M. Seydell, 
J. C. Hamilton, 
Mrs. McConnell, 
Mrs. Lydia Sweet, 
Mrs. TenEyck, 
Mrs. S. Johnson, 
Mrs. A. J. Bond, 
Mrs. Betsey Walker, 
Mrs. Mary Lyon, 
Wenzel Hummer, 
Mrs. E. Sutliff, 



S. J. Kirkwood, 
T.J. Cox, 
A. W. Palmer, 
Dr. T. P. Coulter, 
L. R. Wolfe, 
Dexter P. Smith, 
J. C. Crane, 
J. ^I. Seydell, 
Ben]. Owen, 
Mrs. E. Seehorn, 
Mrs. L. Bonham, 
Mrs. Dennis, 
Mrs. M. O. Coldren, 
Mrs. Tantlinger. 



CHAPTER v.— PART I. 



EARLY LAND TENURES. 

The "Claim Association" — Its Organization, Officers, Members, Mode of Operation, and 
Results. 

THE SQUATTER CLAIMS. 

On March 9, 1S39, an organization was formed known as the " Claim 
Association of Johnson County." The land had not yet been surveyed 
by the United States Government, hence there were no land titles except 
by common agreement among the settlers that each one should be pro- 
tected in his right to the "claim" or farm, which he had selected and built 
some sort of a habitation on for himself and family. In order to systema- 
tize this plan of inutual protection thev adopted a constitution or code of 
laws, which each one solemnly pledged himself to observe on his own part 
and assist in enforcing upon others. Without this thev could have no 
peace or security in their land claims. 

To give some idea of the nature and functions of this historic, but long 
ago defunct organization, a few extracts are here given from its rules: 

Article 1. — Section 2. The officers of this association shall be one 
president, one vice-president, one clerk or recorder of claims, deeds, or 
transfers of claims: seven judges or adjusters of claims or boundaries, one 
of w^hom shall be qualified to administer the oath or affirmation, and 
whose duty it shall be to attend all judicial courts of the association; and 
two marshals; all of whom shall be elected as hereinafter directed. 

The officers were to hold their seats for one year. The clerk was 
required to keep a record of all meetings; and also to record and preserve 
in writing a description of each member's claim, assignments, transfers, 
etc. 

Section 9, provides: The duties and powers of the judges or adjusters 
of claims shall be to decide in all questions of dispute relative to the rights 
of claims or parts of claims as the case may be, and settle all disputed lines 



324 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

or boundaries between members of this association or members of this 
association and an}' other individuals, and make return in writing to the 
clerk, showing the manner all cases brought before them has been dis- 
posed of. Any five of the judges elect shall compose a court: and any 
three of such court agreeing in any case brought before them shall be a 
final decision in the case. No evidence shall be received, but such as is 
recognized by the laws of the territory as legal in common law, and all evi- 
dence shall be on oath or affirmation. The judges or adjusters shall be 
required previous to their entering on the duties of their office to apply to 
the president of the association for a certificate of election, and take an 
oath or affirmation that they will well and truly discharge the duties of 
their office without fear, favor or affection, to the best of their abilities. 

Section lo. The marshals shall be elected as other officers and their 
term of office shall commence and expire as other officers of this associa- 
tion ; and their duties shall be to serve all processes that may be handed 
them and make return thereof as directed, and to enforce all decisions of 
the judicial court, and all other laws of the association; and thev shall have 
full power to demand the assistance of a sufficient number of the members 
of this association, if they find it necessary to carry all decisions and laws 
into effect. 

Article 2, provides, for the salaries of officers, which consisted of 
certain fees varying according to the kind of service rendered. 

Article Z— Section 1. All members of the association shall be 
required, in making claims, to stake them off or blaze them in such man- 
ner that the lines of such claims can be easily traced or followed, and all 
claims thus made, in order to be respected, must be entered on record, 
and there as fully and accurately described as practicable, giving the 
names of the creek, river, or branch, where such shall be the boundaries 
on any side, and when bounded by other claims, give the owner's name 
of such claims, if known, and when the lands have been surveyed they 
shall be required to give the range, township, and quarter section, as is 
customary in describing surveyed lands. And further, persons making 
claims shall be required to put the initials of their names either on a tree 
or stake at' each corner of their claims. No person shall hold more than 
480 acres, or three quarter sections of land, by making claim thereto, and 
this quantity shall in all cases be recognized and constituted a claim, let 
the same lie in a body or detached parcels; ^r<7W<i£!<f, however that said 
claim is not in more than three separate and detached parcels. All per- 
sons wishing their claims recorded shall hand them in to the recorder in 
writing with their signature thereto. 

Section 2. Any white male person over the age of eighteen can 
become a member of this association b}' signing the laws, rules, and reg- 
ulations governing the association. No member of the association shall 
have the privilege of voting on a question to change any article of the 
constitution or laws of the association unless he is a resident citizen of the 
county and a claim-holder. Nor shall any member be entitled to vote for 
officers of this association, unless they are claim-holders. Actual citizens 
of the county over the age of seventeen, who are acting for themselves, 
and depending on their own exertions, and laboring for a livelihood, and 
whose parents do not reside within the limits of the territory, can become 
members of this association, and entitled to all the privileges of mem- 
bers. 

Section 6. Members of the association who are not citizens of the 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 325 

county, shall be required in making claims to expend in improvements on 
each claim he or they may have made or may make the amount of fifty 
dollars within six months of the date of making such claim or claims; and 
fifty dollars every six months thereafter until such person or persons 
become citizens of the count}-, or forfeit the same. 

Section y. All persons residing in the county at the adoption of the 
foregoing laws shall be entitled to the privilege of voting at this meeting; 
but after this it shall require two month's residence to become a citizen of 
the county. 

Section 8. All claims made after the adoption of the foregoing laws 
shall be registered or offered for record within ten davs after the making 
thereof, and all persons making claims after the adoption of the foregoing 
laws, shall be required, on presenting his or their claim for record, to state 
on honor before the recorder, that such claim or claims has not been pre- 
viously made ; or, if made, that they have been forfeited by the laws of this 
association, to his or their personal knowledge. 

This organization and its transactions formed the most important part 
of the history of the county, as long as a condition of society existed here 
which made it necessary. It served in lieu of statute law for the time, and 
saved the settlement from many a fight, with murder or bloodshed, 
which would inevitably have occurred in the struggle for choice claims if 
such an organization had not existed. It shows the pratical, business-like 
wisdom and foresight of the early settlers here, and stands greatly to their 
credit, as a people determined .that every man should have a fair chance, 
and that no one should have any more than that. The book of their con- 
stitution, rules, laws, names of members and record of claims was secured 
and preserved by Hon. S. H. McCrory and Col. Trowbridge, and is now 
among the archives of the Historical Society. We have aimed not to 
lumber our pages with the entire document, but to quote such parts as 
would show clearly to future generations the nature and objects of the 
association, and the state of things then existing which gave rise to it. 
Many of its members are still living in the count}* [in 1SS2], and many 
more are represented by their descendants of the first, second, or third gen- 
eration. For this reason the entire list of its membership is here given 
as it appears on the musty and mouldv old record. 

Many of these names were so poorly written that it is a miracle if we 
have got them all spelled right; but here they are, with the best that 
could be done toward getting them correct: 

S. H. McCrory, ' S. Hill, Austin Cole, 

A. L. Stephens, A. M. Baker, Allen Strom, 

G. L. Douglas, A. C. Chapman, Matthew Ten Eyck, 

David Liecertzer, John Abbott, John Reed, 

John jNIorford, J. Hartman, James Rock, 

Wm. Sturgis, John Frierson, J. M. Horner, 

I. P. Hamilton, Cyrus Sanders, Charles C. Morgan, 

P. Harris, Samuel Welch, Lorenzo D. Swan, 

John G. Coleman, Suel Foster, Thomas Green, 

Joel Dowell, Stephen Brown. Joshua Switzer, 

21 



326 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 



Wm. M. Harris, 
John Willison, 
John Burge, 
Saml. Bumgardner, 
Yale Hamilton, 
'Wm. Morford, 
Wesley Morford, 
A. D. Packard, 
John A. Street, 
Wm. C. Mussey, 
Jacob Earhart, 
Allen Baxter, 
A. Wolcott, 
John Miller, 
P. Crum, 
Henry Earhart, 
Benj. Miller, 
Joseph Stover, 
Jesse M. Cart, 
John Trout, 
S. P. Hamilton, 
Elias Secor, 
John Earhart. 
Philip Clark, 
Henr}- G. Reddow, 
Elijah Hilton, 
Robert Walker, 
W. Wilson, 
William Jones, 
Eli Myers, 
J. G. Morrow, 
S. C. Trowbridge, 
James L. Wilkinson, 
John Right, 
Anthony Sells, 
Jeremiaii Stover 
Joseph Walker, 
S. C. Hastings, 
W. B. Snyder, 
William Miller, 
Nelson Hastings, 
Jacob Overholser, 
C. C. Brown, 
Andrew Mitchell, 
P. H. Paterson, 
Daniel Barrett, 
F. H. Lee, 
A. E. McArthur, 
H. S. Coe, 
Franz Vorrooch, 
Tofags Vorrooch, 
Thomas Henry, 
Joseph Henry, 



Henry Felkner, 
P. C. Brown, 
Oliver Curry, 
E. M. Adams, 
C. Gove, 
Wm. Baker, 
Wm. H. Downey, 
I. L. Clark, 
William Falkner, 
J. Williams, 
H. V. Antwerp, 
James Miller, 
Azariah Pinney, 
S, I. Sanders, 
John Matthews, 
Thomas Hall, 
David Odell, 
John Shoup, 
Robert Small, 
George G. Oyler, 
John Horner, 
John McCahan, 
John Lee, 
William Bagley, 
Henry Custer, 
J. M. Thrift, 
Moses Adams, 
John Parrot, 
Wm. McCormick, 
Asaph Allen, 
C. L. Allen, 
Geo. T. Andrews, 
E. R. Morris, 
O. Lindley, 
John B. Adams, 
Jesse Berry, 
Robert McKee, 
A. Abel, 
Walter Clarke, 
J. D. Abel, 
S. B. Gardner, 
J. N. Beanton, 
L M. Choate, 
Moses Hale, 
C. C. Catlin, 
S. M. Ballard, 
R. Ralston, 
W. C. Ralston, 
Jonas Trimble, 
Wm. Henry, 
Griffith Shreck, 
Sia. N. Thill, 
S. H. Starr, 



Henry Brown, 
Samuel J. Frost, 
William Wain, 

A. Miller, 
J. Harris, 

H. A. Usher, 
Edwin Buck, 
Jacob H. Stover, 
F. A. A. Cobbs, 
F. Thomson, 
Frederick Harter, 

B. P. Moore, 
H. H. Brown, 
T. B. Brown, 
Wm. W. Porter, 
David Garard, 
Nathan Odell, 
Peter A. Douglass, 
James Woodworth, 
S. S. White, 
William Murdock, 2d 
S. A. Abel, 

Wm. Murdock, 
James Smith, 
Henry Bradford, 
John Hawkins, 
Wm. Ga3'ne, 
David Lindley, 
George Hepner, 
L. B. Costly, 
L. S. Swain, 
J. G. Gilmore, 
Robt. Lucas, 
A. Blake, 
John Chick, 
Walter Terrell, 
James Hill, 

C. J. Vredenburg, 
Smiley Bonham. 
T. R. Fry, 

L. Wright, 
J. B. McGrew, 
Martin Harless, 
John Aglin, 
J. H. Alt, 
A. T. Alt, 
John Eagan, 
Caleb J. Vredenburg, 
John R. Van Fleet, 
Julius S. Brown, 
Eran Dollarpid, 
Samuel Scayplast, 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, 



327 



A. Dewey, 

Moses Croner, 
James P. Carleton, 
J. Crawford, 
Wm. Corcoran, 
W. Harrison, 
James Lee, 
Joseph Shell, 
Wm. Kemp, 
David Henry, 

F. Kimble, 
Peter Trimble, 
W. Buttler, 

C. M. Calkin, 
John Sturges, Jr., 
L. D. Forest, 

G. Hutchinson, 
Geo. S. Hampton, 
S. Hanes, 

P. Costly, 
Wm. P. Doty, 
M. M. Mon^^omery, 
John Nortery, 
James Wells, 
David Ralston, 
Lyman Dillon, 
H. Bruot, 
James Williams, 
ThomasE. Torrance, 
E. B. Costly, 
R. Melly, 
A.J. Willis, 



Robert Waterson, 
Thos. P. MulhoUand, 
Thos. Holden, 
Perry Jourden, 
Louis Rauzahn, 
John Rossal, 
George Shipley, 
Francis Krov, 
James Waverley, 
Samuel Loyeioy, 
E. D. Stephen, 
A. B. Boge, 
Alpheus Rupell, 
Theodore Rumsey, 
Daniel J. Durial, 
R. Willis, 
Thos. Jaytoe, 
Henr}^ Jaytoe, 
Warren B. Morey, 
N. B. Morse, 
Silas Foster, 
John N. Hedly, 
Joshua Switzer, 
Gariett Packard, 
Lewis D. Houtz, 
Buel Tyler, 
Rebecca Tyler, 
Wm. Mitchell, 
Robt. Smith, 
John Cochran, 
James Cochran, 



Warren Stiles, 
T. H. Hopin, 
Isaac McCorkel, 
Isaac Bowen, 
David Cox, 
James Haiden, 
Morgan Haiden, 
George Haiden, 
Theodore Sanxay, 
C. S. Foster, 
Elijah K. Yost, 
Pleasant Arthur, 
Morgan Reno, 
Samuel Faessler, 
Nathaniel Fellows, 
Green Hill, 
S. B. MulhoUand, 
Elijah Harvey, 
EHhu Dusel, 
Jackson Ponyar, 
Robert Matthewson, 
Andrew T. McClain, 

Hedley, 

John D. Webb, 
J. V. Felkner, 
John M. Kidder, 
Wm. Robinson, 
James Sepcaron, 
George Weiss, 
John W. Rylert, 
Robt. M. Secrest, 



Ezra Bliss. 

When these lands finally came into market they were valuable from the 
very fact that hardy pioneers had come here and made settlements, and 
this induced speculators to buy up all they could. But whenever a land 
sale was to occur, the land- holders or settlers of a township would elect 
one of their number as bidder for them, and furnish him with the proper 
description of their several claims, so that whenever that piece was cried 
for sale he could bid it in at the government price — $1.25 per acre. And 
if any speculator dared to overbid in order to get the improvements for 
almost nothing, woe to him — the timber for his coffin wasn't far to fetch. 
As an instance showing the popular sentiment on this subject, and a right- 
eous sentiment, too, we take note of a meeting held Feb. !(>, 1843, at the 
house of S. B. Trotter. T. B. Clark was chairman, and A. J. Kirkpat- 
rick, secretary. John Smith, James Buchanan, D. D. Smith, Elza Singer 
and A. Sells were appointed a committee on claims, "whose decision shall 
be. decisive," it was voted. Warren Spurrier, Jesse B. McGrew, and 
Wm. Smith were a committee on resolutions. Money matters were 
extremely tight; few of the settlers could raise the money right away to 
pay for their claims. President Tyler had been petitioned to postpone the 



328 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

land sales here, so as to give them a little time to gather up money 
enough. It is not likely that President Tyler himself ever saw or heard 
of the petition, but any wav it was not granted, and they resolved that "we 
have humbly petitioned the president for a short postponement of the land 
sales, which has been despotically refused." 

Resolved, That we will mutually protect each other at the ensuing land 
sales, in sustaining our rights, whtther the claimants have money to pur- 
chase the same or not. 

Another resolve, that meant business, was this: 

Resolved, That any person who does purchase another's claim without 
ampl}- compensating him for all his labor deserves to be published in 
ever}^ newspaper throughout this territory, and should be held in everlast- 
ing contempt by all good men, and is no better than a horse thief or high 
way robber. 

This last sentence was a clincher to the whole, and is, in fact, the key 
to the situation. But the settlers stood so well together on this matter 
that they never had but one, or perhaps two, cases that required them to 
talk blood; and even those were finally settled without any crimson trag- 
edy. 

The rising generation knows nothing about such a state of society or 
of land tenure as could possibly give rise to an organization like the one 
above noted. But it was the beginning of farm life and of freeliold ten- 
ure in Johnson county, and has a deep historic interest. Newhall's 
"Sketches of Iowa," published in 1841, gives a very clear account of vari- 
ous steps and proceedings connected with land entries, land claims, etc., 
at that time, and from it we quote: 

FORM OF THE PRE-EMPTION OATH FOR ENTERING TWO FORTIES. 

Non-residents can enter but one tract in as small a quantity 2Ls/orty acres. 
But actual settlers can enter tzuo "forties," by taking the following oath, 
to-wit: "I (or we) do solemnly swear (or affirm) that the land above 
described is intended to be entered for my (or our) personal benefit, and 
not in trust for another, and that the same is intended for the purposes of 
cultivation (or as the case may be) for the use of my (or our) improve- 
ment, situated on the of section No. — , of township No. — , of 

range No. — , and that I (or we) have not entered under the act of 5th of 
April, 1832, or under the act of the -Sd of March, 1833, at this, or at any 
land-office in the United States of America, any land in quarter-quarter 
sections (40 acres) in my (or our) name, or in the name of anv other per- 
son." 

GOVERNMENT MARKS UPON THE PUBLIC LANDS. 

Government marks upon the public land, will be found in the timber by 
a blaze in the tree, denoting tlie number of the quarter in burnt initials. 
The term blaze signifies one side of the tree which is hewed out for the 
purpose of a distinct mark. 

In the prairies, stakes are set, defining each township and quarter-sec- 
tion, ranges, etc.; consequently the traveler or stranger, if he has a mem- 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, 329 

orandum of the numbers he wishes to select, will have no difficulty in find- 
ing them.* 

MODE OF CLAIM-MAKING. 

This may be considered a mode of settlement peculiar to that portion 
of the public domain which is occupied prior to its being surveyed by the 
general government. B}^ mutual concession and an honorable adherence 
to neighborhood regulations, it has become a "pro tem" law, answering 
the purposes of general protection for the home of the settler until his 
land comes into market. So general has this usage become, and so united 
are the interests of the settlers, that it would be deemed extremely haz- 
ardous, as well as highly dishonorable, for a speculator or stranger to bid 
upon their "claims," even though they were not protected in a "pre-emp- 
tion right." It being clearly understood what improvement constitutes a 
"claim," and the settler conforming to the requisitions of the "by-lawS" of 
his neighborhood, or township, it is just as much respected iox the time 
being, as if the occupant had a government patent for it. For instance, 
an emigrant comes into the country, he looks from county to county for a 
location. After having pleaded himself, he says "I will make an improve- 
ment." He breaks five acres of grotind, which holds his claim for six 
months; or he builds a cabin eight logs high with a roof, which is equiv- 
alent to the ploughing, and holds it six months longer. He then stakes 
out his half section of land, being a full "claim," generally one quarter 
timber and one quarter prairie; and thus his home is secure from the tres- 
pass of anyone. If he choose to sell his "claim" he is at perfect Hberty to 
do so, and the purchaser succeeds to all the rights and immunities of the 
first settler. As an evidence of the respect in which these "claim rights" 
are held by the people of Iowa, I will here quote an act of the legislative 
council of the territory, passed January 15, 1839, entitled: 

"An Act to Provide for the Collection of Demands Growing out of Con- 
tracts for Sales of Improvements on Public Lands. 

"Be it enacted, That all contracts, promises, assumpsits, or undertak- 
ings, either written or verbal, which shall be made hereafter in good faith 
and without fraud, collusion, or circumvention, for sale, purchase, or pay- 
ment of improvements made on the lands owned by the government of 
the United States, shall be deemed valid in law or equity, and may be sued 
for and recovered as in other contracts. 

"That all deeds of quit-claim, or other conveyance of all improvements 
upon public lands, shall be as binding and effectual, in law and equity, 
between the parties, for conveying the title of grantor in and to the same, 
as in cases where the grantor has the fee simple to the premises con- 
veyed." 

Perhaps no country has ever exhibited a spectacle like Iowa, previous 
to the public land coming into market, where a social compact has been 
formed so strong, or the spirit of' its requirements so strongly adhered to. 

TOWNSHIP REGULATIONS PREVIOUS TO THE LAND BEING BROUGHT INTO 

MARKET. 

In order to prevent unpleasant litigation, and to keep up a spirit of har- 
mony amongst neighbors, and the better to protect them in their equitable 
rights of "claim" purchase, each township has its own organization gener- 

*In many of the old surveyed portions of Illinois, those numbers have become obliterated 
by time and storm. 



330 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

ally throughout the territory, and announces by public notice a "call meet- 
ing," thus: The citizens of township seventy-two north, range five west, 

are requested to meet at 'Squire B 's. Hickory Grove, (or as the place 

and time may be) to adopt the necessary measures for securing their homes 

at the approaching land sales at B or D ." After a shori preamble 

and set of resolutions suited to the occasion, a "register" is appointed, 
whose duty it shall be to record the name of each claimant to his respec- 
tive "claim." A bidder is also appointed, whose duty it shall be, on the 
day of sale, to bid off all the land previously registered in the name of each 
respective claimant. These associations are formed mutually, to sustain 
and protect each other in their claim-rights. Thus, everything moves 
along at the land sales with the harmony and regularit}^ of clock-work; 
and should any one present be found bidding over the minimum price 
($1.25,) on land registered in the township book, woe be unto him. 
Although "claim law" is no law derived from the United States, or from 
the statute book of the territory, yet it nevertheless is the law, made by 
and derived from the sovereigns themselves and its mandates are impera- 
tive. 

When any controversy arises between t^o neighbors relative to tres- 
passing, (in common parlance) "jumping a**claim," it is arbitrated by a 
committee appointed for that purpose, and their decision is considered 
final. 

I doubt not but many a veteran farmer of Iowa, when passed into the 
"sear and yellow leaf" of age, will look back to by-gone years, (should 
these pages chance to meet his view,) and relate by the fireside ol afflu- 
ence and plenty, to his children, and perhaps his children's children, the 
trying times encountered in the early days of " claim making." 

SKETCH OF A LAND SALE. 

The great mass of people east of the Alleghanies, I apprehend, have 
but little idea of a western land sale. Many are the ominous indications 
of its approach among the "settlers." Every dollar is sacredly treasured 
up. The precious " mint drops " take to themselves wings, and fly away 
from the merchant's till to the farmer's cupboard. Times are dull in the 
towns; for the settler's home is dearer and szveeter than the merchant's 
sugar and coffee. At length the wished-for day arrives. The suburbs 
of the town present the scene of a military camp. The settlers have 
flocked from far and near. The hotels are thronged to overflowing. 
Bar-rooms, dining-rooms, and wagons, are metamorphosed into bed-rooms. 
Dinners are eaten from a table or a stump; and thirst is quenched from a 
bar or from a brook. The sale being announced from the land office, the 
township bidder stands near by with the registry book in his hand, and 
each settler's name attached to his respective quarter or half section, and 
thus he bids off in the name of the whole township for each respective 
claimant. A thousand settlers are standing by, eagerly listening when 
their quarter shall be called ofl. The crier has passed the well known 
number. His home is secure. He feels relieved. The litigation of 
" claim jumping " is over forever. He is lord of the soil. With an inde- 
pendent step he walks into the land office, opens the time-w^orn saddle- 
bags, and counts out the v$200 or $400, silver and gold, takes his certifi- 
cate from the general government, and goes his way rejoicing. 

Such a scene have I witnessed, which continued for three successive 
weeks, in which time nearly half a million of money was taken from the 
actual settlers of Iowa. It is an interesting sight to witness thousands of 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 331 

our fellow-beings, who, having planted themselves in a new country, are 
patiently waiting for the hour to arrive when they can buy the homes and 
the land from which they earn their bread — when they can say in truth, 
this is my own " vine and fig tree." These are the embryo scenes conse- 
quent in commencing the settlement of this new country; occurrences 
that, to the uninformed European, would seem incomprehensible; but the 
commencing landmarks which have marked the progress of the western 
pioneer, who, but as yesterday, verging upon the forests of Ohio and 
Kentucky, is now beyond the western shore of the Mississippi; and still 
his adventurous spirit looks onward, until nought shall remain save the 
boundless expanse of the vast Pacific. 



CHAPTER v.— PART 2. 



Agriculture — Live Stock Interests — Horticulture— Land Values — Birds, Bees, etc. 

The various items given under the above sub-divisions are arranged so 
far as practicable in their order of time, or by successive years, instead of 
lumping them together by subjects. We have aimed to pursue the his- 
torical method, rather than the strictly topical. 

THE JOHNSON COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY . 

This society was organized April 9, 1853, and has maintained its 
organization intact ever since. From the official records we copy the fol- 
lowing points of general public interest: 

We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, have associated ourselves, 
and with such as may become hereafter associated,, as a body corporate 
and politic with perpetual succession, by the style of the Johnson County 
Agricultural and Mechanical Society, in subordination to the laws of Iowa 
and to the articles of the association, which are hereafter attached. 

Witness our hands at Iowa Citv, April 9, 1853. S. H. Bonham, Easton 
Morris, J. M. Coleman, John McCadden, W. H. White, W. H. Woods, 
Edward Connelly, Legrand Byington, Isaac V. Dennis, Ezekiel Clark, 
Joseph Beauter, E. W. Lucas, F. H. Lee, Robert Walker. 

The following articles show its object and basis of membership: 

Article i. This association shall be called the Johnson County Agri- 
cultural and Mechanical Society. Its object shall De the advancement of 
the interests of agriculture and horticulture in all their departments. 

Article 2. The payment of one dollar annually shall entitle any per- 
son to all the privileges of membership, and the payment of five dollars, to 
an honorary membership for life. 

In 1857, Legrand Byington, Esq., wrote for the State Agricultural Soci- 
ety a sketch of the early history of this Johnson county society, and we 
quote a few points from Mr. Byington's paper: 

"The constitution, as adopted and subsequently amended, together with 
the foregoing act of association, was recorded in the county records, in 
book 10, page 286, and the following officers were forthwith elected to 
serve until the first annual meeting in October, 1853, viz: 



332 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

President, Smiley H. Bonham. 

Vice-presidents, Samuel H. McCrory, Joseph Beauter. 

Secretar}', Edward Connelly. 

Treasurer, John M. Coleman. 

Executive committee: Le(]^rand Byini^ton, Elisha Pearson, James Cav- 
anaorh, Easton Morris, Ezekiel Clark, Richard Burge, Isaac V. Dennis, 
W. H. White. 

These officers, under the designation of "Board of Managers," are 
charged with the entire management of the affairs of the society, and are 
invested with plenary powers in the premises. They are elected on the 
second Tuesday of October, annually, but hold over in case of any failure 
to elect at the appointed time. 

'our first county fair. 

In the month of June, following this organization, a meeting of the 
board was called, for the purpose of inaugurating the first fair and exhi- 
bition of our infant society. Less than a quorum responded to the call, and 
we were perplexed with apprehensions of failure. The experiment was 
renewed, and with the same lack of attendance. Our ever active friends. 
Dr. White and General Morris, were on hand, however, and we assumed 
the responsibility of going ahead at all hazards. With less than ten dol- 
lars in the treasuiy, and sorry prospects for more, hampered for a time, 
we named a day and place for the fair, prepared a premium Hst of one 
hundred and thirty awards, arranged in eleven classes, and requiring, 
besides expenses, an expenditure of three hundred and fiftv-four dollars, 
and appointed all the judges of the exhibition. Preliminaries thus arranged, 
we presented them to the people of the county, by circular, and anxiously 
awaited the result. 

The dav of the fair proved to be pleasant, and, although the time of 
preparation had been short, several thousand people assembled to enjoy 
the/g/^, and made up an exhibition w^hich surpassed our expectations, and 
was every way creditable to the county. Our receipts, from all sources, 
were $8S0, and the premiums and expenses paid, amounting to $372, 
leav^ing a small 'balance of eight dollars in favor of the experiment. No 
thoroughbred cattle or horses were then owned within the county, but 
there was a good show of grades and natives; and the principal premiums 
awarded in these classes, were given to Messrs. Richard Burge, Frank- 
lin Kimball, Thomas Lindley, F. H. Hempstead, Isaac Bowen, Mathew 
TenEyck, John Parrott, N. Winterstein, C. B. Wray, Edward Connelly. 

OFFICERS FOR 18.53. 

At the regular annual meeting of the society, held in pursuance of the 
charter, and of public notice, at the office of E. Connelly, in Iowa City, on 
the second Tuesday of October, 1853, P. D. Turner, Esq., acting as pres- 
dent, and E. Connelly, secretary, the following proceedings were had, viz: 

Article 3 of the charter was so amended as to make the executive com- 
mittee consist of fourteen members, to be apportioned as follows: three 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 333 

for Iowa City township, and one for each of the remaining townships of 
the county, and the office of corresponding secretary was added to the 
board. 

An election was then held for officers of the society for the ensu- 
ing year, which resulted in the election of the following persons, to-wit: 

President, Samuel H. McCror3\ 

Vice-presidents, P. D. Turner, H. H, Winchester. 

Rec. secretary, F. Connelly. 

Cor. secretary, W. H. Fyffe. 

Treasurer, Legrand Byington. 

Executive committee, H. W. White, J. H. Morehead, Franklin Kimball, 
M. TenE3-ck, Richard Burge, Bryan Dennis, Nicholas Winterstein, E. K. 
Morse, Ebenezer Adams, W. B. Ford, M. F. Suavely, A. D. Packard, 
John D. Able, James Cavanagh. 

'"On motion, ordered that the above named officers enter upon the 
discharge of their respective offices from and after the loth of October, 
1853. 

E. Connelly, Secretary. 

This boaro of officers met, in pursuance of notice, at the secretary's 
office, Iowa City, on the 20th of May, 1854, when the following proceed- 
ings were had, viz.: 

1. Resolved, That the second annual fair of the Johnson County 
Agricultural and Mechanical Societ}- be held, under the direction of the 
board of managers, at Iowa Citv, on the 26th and 27th of September, 
1854. 

2. Resolved, That a committee, consisting of Messrs. Morehead, 
Morse, and Byington, be appointed, whose duty it shall be to prepare, and 
after its ratification, cause to be published, a premium list for said fair. 

3. Resolved, That a committee, consisting of Messrs. F. Kimball, 
White, F3'ffe, and Morehead, be appointed, whose duty it shall be to 
obtain and prepare suitable grounds for said fair, and that said committee be 
authorized, in their discretion, to make said provision a permanent 
arrangement for the accommodation of this society, if it can be done with- 
out involving this society beyond its available means. 

4. Resolved, That the committee first above named, be instructed to 
report said premium list for revision or adoption to an adjourned meeeting 
of this board, to be held at E. Connelly's office, in Iowa City, at 1 o'clock 
Saturday, June 3, 1854, at which time and place the several awarding 
committees will be appointed. 

5. Resolved, That the corresponding secretary be instructed to 
serve upon each member of the board of managers a written notice, and 
request them to be present at the meeting on the 3d of June. 

6. Resolved, That a committee, consisting of Messrs. White, McCrory 
and Fyfte, be appointed to procure a suitable person to deliver an address 
at said fair. 

The committee on premium lists, etc., were prompt in the discharge 
of their duties, and on the 3d of June, published to the people a list of pre- 
miums much more extensive than that of the preceding year, embracing 
nineteen classes and accompanied by the usual address. 



334: HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

As on the previous occasion, we were favored with pleasant weather 
during the second exhibition, and were all gratified in the assurance that 
the show was very much superior to that of the preceding year. The 
receipts, from all sources were $518, and the premiums and expenses all 
paid amounted to $540.80, creating a deficit of $22.80, which was 
promptly advanced by the treasurer on the credit of the society. In cattle 
and horses, especially, there was a very marked improvement, the princi- 
pal prizes on which were well contested, and fell to Messrs. Thomas Lind- 
ley, Richard Burge, Franklin Kimball, Legrand Byington, Joseph Yoa- 
kum, I. V. Dennis, Lindley Abel, Philip Pitt, John Huss, N. Winterstein, 
A. C. Dennison, F. W. Hempstead, Moses Adams, Robert Walker, Jno. 
C. Burge, J. H. Morehead. 

Invitations to deliver an address before the society, had been succes- 
sively tendered to Messrs. George Green, of Cedar Rapids; James Grant 
and Hiram Price, of Davenport; and James W. Grimes, of Burlington; 
but the pre-existing engagements of these gentlemen did not permit either 
of them to accept. 

Although meeting, on this occasion, the full measure of anticipated suc- 
cess, it had been found that it required such active and unremitting exer- 
tion, in the way of personal solicitation, if not outright dunning^ to collect 
a sufficiency of membership fees to sustain our expenditures upon the 
liberal scale which was deemed essential, that the society was in danger 
of dissolution from over-working a few of its most active members. Some 
more permanent and accessible source of revenue seemed indispensable. 
Accordingly, at a business meeting of the society held on the evening of 
the first day of this fair, the subject of our pecuniary prospects, among 
others, was under discussion, and resulted in the following action, viz: 

On motion of Mr. Byington: Resolved, that this society will memorial- 
ize the next General Assembly of Iowa to pass an act authorizing the 
county judge of Johnson county to set apart, annually, a per centage of 
the poll tax of the county, as a fund for the use of this society, to be 
expended for the improvement, within said county, of agriculture and the 
mechanic arts. 

Resolved, that a committee of five active friends of the cause in each 
township, be appointed by the chair, at our to-morrow's meeting, to circu- 
late a similar petition for signatures throughout the county. 

Resolved, that the secretary be instructed to procure the printing of 
such petitions, and cause them to be apportioned amongst said committee- 
men. 

Some conversation was had about recommending the organization of a 
company for the importation of first-class thorough-bred stock from the 
Eastern States, but no definite action was taken thereon. 

In accordance with these resolutions, petitions were circulated and 
signed, and at the ensuing session of the general assembly we had the sat- 
isfaction of seeing a bill, which we had prepared, pass into law, without 
serious opposition, in the following form, viz: 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 335 

An act to encourage agriculture and the mechanic arts in Johnson 

county. 

" Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of the state of Iowa, 
That on the first day of April, in each year, the county judge of Johnson 
county, shall draw an order upon the treasurer of said county, in favor of 
the Johnson County Agricultural and Mechanical Societ_y, for a sum equal 
to thirty-three and one-third percentum, upon the amount of the personal 
poll tax which may have been levied in said county for the preceding 
year, and it shall be the duty of said treasurer, on the presentation of such 
order, to pay the amount thereof, in money, to the financial officer of said 
society, to be expended by said society in the improvement of agriculture 
and the mechanic arts w^ithin said county. 

Sec 2. That to secure a faithful application of said money to the objects 
hereinbefore stated, the officers of said society shall annually hold a 
county fair, and cause to be prepared a list of premiums to the farmers 
and citizens of said county, at least equal m amount to the payment from 
the county treasury for the current year; a copy of which shall be left 
with the county judge, and be preserved at his office. 

Sec 3. That if, from any cause, said society fails to hold their fair, or 
to file such list with the county judge, he shall with hold all subsequent 
orders until the requirements of the foregoing section have been complied 
with. 

Sec 4. This act may take effect by publication in the lozva Capital 
Reporter and Republican, provided, said society shall pay the expense, if 
any, of such publication. 
. Approved Jan. 20, 1855. 

I certify that the foregoing act was published in the lozva Capital 
Reporter and Republican, on the 31st day of January, 1855. 

G. W. McCleary, Sec'y of State. 

Immediately after the fair of 1854, the writer of this repaired to the 
state of Ohio, on a visit, and, while there, had the pleasure of attending 
the great exhibitions of the state society, at Newark, and of the United 
States society, at Springfield, at both of which he purchased stock for 
importation into Iowa. Returning, after an absence of six weeks, it was 
found that there had been a failure to elect officers of our society for 1855, 
at the time fixed by the constitution. A special meeting was therefore 
called, at my instance, for the sixth of January, 1855, from the record of 
which I extract as follows: 

" Ordered, That article third of the constitution be so amended that the 
officers hereafter chosen hold their offices for the terms for which they 
may have been elected, and until their successors are elected and quali- 
fied. 

The following named officers were then duly elected and qualified for 
the year 1855, viz: 

President — John Parrott. 

Vice Presidents — Nicholas Winterstein, John S. Burge. 
Secretary — William E. Miller.* 

*Wiiliam E. Miller has since been chief justice of the surpeme court of Iowa; is author 
of the official annotated code of Iowa, and is now professor of jurisdiction and practice in 
federal courts, in the law department of Drake University, at Des Moines. 



336 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Corresponding Seci ctary — W. H. White. 

Treasurer — Legrand Byington. 

Executive Committee — Franklin Kimball, William Sterrett, Thomas 
Rigg, James Cavanagh, John Smallay, Edward Carson, Thomas Lind- 
ley, James McGruder, James L. Kister, Joseph Beauter, Henry Dupont, 
D. A. Shaffer, A. H. Humphrey and Thomas Hill. 

FAIR OF 1855. 

At a meeting of the board of managers, held at the secretary's office, on 
the 16th day of June, 1855, initiatory steps were taken for the fair of that 
year, and among other proceedings it was 

Ordered, That Dr. Jesse Bowen be appointed a member of the board 
of managers, for Iowa City township, in place of William Sterrett, 
resigned. 

Ordered, That the third annual fair be held at the Capitol Square, in 
Iowa City, on the third day of October, 1855. 

Ordered, That a committee, consisting of Messrs. F. Kimball, Jesse 
Bowen and Thomas Snyder, be appointed to prepare the ground for said 
fair. . ■ 

Ordered, That 2,000 handbill copies of our premium list and regulations 
for said fair be pubUshed, under the supervision of a committee, consisting 
of Legrand Byington, S. H. McCrory and W. H. White. 

N. WiNTERSTEiN, Acting President. 

W. E. Miller, Secretary. 

In pursuance of this order, a list of premiums was made up, much more 
extensive, in the number and amount of its awards, than either of its pre- 
decessors, and extensively published throughout the county. 

Again we were highly favored by the elements, and a beautiful day 
smiled upon the happy thousands who graced the fair with their presence* 

The competition in stock was again close, and, for a time, some slight 
dissatisfaction was evinced by exhibitors of improved cattle, because the 
judges took for their guide, in making up their opinions of individual ani- 
mals, the points of excellence adopted by the New York state society, 
instead of the amount of tallow carried by the animal. The awards were, 
however, acquiesced in with cheerfulness, and the winners of the principal 
prizes on cattle and horses were Messrs. Franklin Kimball, Legrand 
Byington, N. Winterstein, W. H. White, D. P. Greeley, James McGruder, 
Moses Adams, Oliver Thomas, Thomas Lindley, Jno. Parrott, Mathew 
TenEyck, Nathaniel Scales, F. H. Hempstead, W. H. Woods, J. W. 
McCadden and R. S. Tucker. 

Receipts from all sources $663.64 

Premiums and expenses paid 685.64 

Deficit for the year $ 22.00 

which was advanced by the treasurer, on the credit of the society. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 337 

FIRST STEPS FOR A FAIR GROUND. 

It was informally suggested, at the close of the exhibition of 1855, that 
the winners of prizes should donate the amounts of their premiums for 
the purpose of accumulating a fund wherewith to procure permanent 
fair grounds. Accordingly, with a view of testing, immediately, the prac- 
ticab lity of the project, I accompanied the publication of the awards of 
that year, with the following card: 
To the Board of Managers of the 'Johnson County Agricultural and 

Mcc/ianical Society. 

Gentlemen: By the foregoing list, it will appear that I received quite 
a number of the prizes distributed at your late fair. With me, the chief 
value of these premiums consist in the fact of their having been awarded 
to ine\ and as our society now needs, or will shortly need, funds for the 
purchase and decoration of a permanent fair ground, I take pleasure in 
hereby donating the entire amount of my premiums (forty-six dollars), as 
the foundation of a fund to be expended, when sufficient, in such purchase 
and decoration. Truly and fraternally, yours, 

Legrand Byington. 

Shortly afterwards, Mr. Kimball sent in the following for publication, 
viz: 

A card. 

To the Board of Managers of the fohnson County Agricultural and 

Mechanical Society. 

Gentlemen: At the last annual fair of your society, I received fifty- 
three dollar as premiums awarded by different committees. The obtain- 
ing of the awards, and thereby creating a general rivalry among farmers 
and mechanics, in raising the best stock, cultivating the best qualities of 
grain, and adopting the best improvements in mechanism, rather than the 
possession of these awards, has been the object I have had in view in 
becoming a member of your society and taking part in its deliberations. 
My most ardent desire in regard to it, is to see it established on a firm 
foundation, and increasing in members, strength and usefulness, from year 
to 3'ear. To this end 1 deem it necessary that a lot for a fair ground be 
obtained at an early day, and, for that purpose, I hereby donate to you 
the amount received by me for premiums, to be devoted exclusively to 
that purpose. Yours Truly, 

F. Kimball. 

Nothing further from this source having been realized, and the hope- 
lessness of the plan being apparent, the society, at its annual meeting in 
October, 1856, on motion of Dr. Bowen, 

Resolved, That each member of the executive committee of the Johnson 
Countv Agricultural and Mechanical Society be furnished with a petition 
to solicit the county judge to submit the question to a vote of the electors 
of the count}^ of subscribing $5,000 for the purpose of purchasing agricul- 
tural and mechanical fair grounds, and improving the same, and that a 
committee be appointed for the purpose of conferring with the county 
judge, and preparing said petition. 

Committee — Legrand Byington, Ezekiel Clark, and Jesse Bowen. 



338 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

FAIR OF 1856. 

"The fair for 1856 was fixed on the 2d day of October, at the usual 
place. In the enumeration of articles, the premium list was nearly a copy 
of that of the preceding year, embracing 428 prizes, arranged in twenty 
classes; but the sums to be awarded in each class were very considerably 
increased, and amounted, in the aggregate, to nine hundred and twenty- 
eight dollars. 

For the purpose of comparison, I attach an abstract of the classes, and 
the amount appropriated to each, as follows: 

Class. Articles. No. of Prizes. Amount 

1 Farms, fences, orchards, etc 21 $87 

2 Field crops, etc 28 79 

3 Vegetables 21 30 

4 Seeds 15 30 

5 Pure Durham cattle 14 33 

6 Pure Devons 14 33 

7 Pure Herefords 14 33 

8 Grades 14 33 

9 Native cattle 14 33 

10 Work cattle and beeves 10 44 

11 Sweepstakes (any breed) 4 35 

12 Thoroughbred horses 16 40 

13 Other horses 26 67 

14 Jacks, mules, etc 13 37 

15 Swine 12 37 

16 Sheep (fine and coarse wool) 20 64 

17 Pouhry 8 11 

18 Farm implements, etc 22 47 

19 Mechanical fabrics 67 85 

20 Household manufactures 70 ....... 70 



Total 423 $928 

Besides these, there was provision made for discretionary awards, for 
articles not specified, requiring probably sufficient to swell the list to a 
grand total of a thousand dollars. 

The interest manifested was great, the attendance large, and the com- 
petition, in most of the classes, spirited. The show of cattle, horses, veget- 
ables, etc., was very beautiful, and much superior to any previously seen 
in the county. Here and there an individual occasionally dissented from 
the awards of the judges, but, as a whole, the exhibition was eminently 
creditable and satisfactory. The principal winners of prizes are annexed: 
Winner. No. of Prizes. Amount. 

Jacob Zeller 2 $23 

Samuel Miller 5 12 

John I. Burge 12 47 

Legrand Byington 23 66 

Thomas Lindley 11 38 

Isaac Bowen 2 11 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 339 

Winner. No. of Prizes. Amount. 

S. H. McCrory 4 17 

N. Winterstein 4 17 

F.Kimball 8 26 

Receipts from all sources $776.16 

Premiums, expenses and deficit 749.00 

Balance $27.16 

The following table shows the rate per cent of increase in the county, 
and likewise in the business of the agricultural society, for a period which 
includes the years 1853-54-55-56: 

INCREASE — COUNTY. 

28 per cent per annum, in population. 

43 " " " taxable property. 

49 " " " live stock. 

45 " " " taxation. 

INCREASE — AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 

10 per cent per annum, in members of the society. 

41 " " " number of premiums. 

25 " " " amount of premiums. 

28 « " " receipts. 

28 " " " expenditures. 

These certainl}' are ver}- rapid strides in the great march of improve- 
ment; and if we could, by possibilit}', maintain this ratio of increase for 
ten years next ensuing, this beautiful county of Johnson, in the year 1867 
would count a population of 140,000 people — having live stock of the 
value of $15,000,000— owning a taxable property of $181,000,000— on 
which would be levied taxes to the extent (exclusive of school house and 
corporation taxes) of $1,800,000 — having an agricultural society number- 
ing 1684 members — competing in a premium list of 8,700 prizes, and 
receiving a revenue and paying premiums to the aggregate amount of 
$8,457. 

The year 1859 Charles A. Vogt reported: 

"The seventh annual fair of the Johnson County Agricultural and Me- 
chanical Society, was held on Thursday and Friday, September 15 and 16, 
1859. 

"The number of entries this vear was not as large as last year, but it was 
observed by everybody that the articles on exhibition, either of stock or 
produce, were far superior to any fair we have held in this county. Num- 
ber of entries were as follows: 

"Fruits, vegetables and seeds, 107: Durham cattle, 1 1; Devon cattle, 15; 
grade cattle, 18; blooded horses, 15; common horses, 39; jacks and mules, 
8; swine, 10; sheep, 10; mechanical department, 19; domestic manufac- 
tures, 56, etc., etc. Aggregate number, 343. 

"The society owns a 25 acre lot about half a mile south of Iowa Cit}-, on 



340 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

the west side of the Iowa river, of which about 20 acres are fenced with a 
substantial board fence eight feet high. On this lot the society is now in 
debt $800." 

In 1860 the county fair was held September 27 and 28. And on Octo- 
ber 2, 3, 4, and 5, the State fair was held on the same ground. Some 
items of Johnson county crops this year are worthy of remembrance. The 
report says the wheat averaged from 25 to 33 bushels per acre — Canada 
Club, Tea and Fyf!e varieties. Corn — J. I. Burge raised 112 bushels per 
acre, of Yellow Dent corn. S. H. McCrory, John McCadden and John I. 
Burge are all reported as having raised Osage orange hedges success- 
fully. 

AGRICULTURE AND WAR — 1861. 

The report for Johnson county this year is a condensation of many vol- 
umes in a single line. It reads: '■'■JVofair. Ground occupied for military 
purposes^ What a world of historic and mighty memories that brief line 
suggests — of a strugle that shines immortal in the galaxy of time, where jus- 
tice triumphed over tyranny, brutality and wrong. The 10th Iowa Infan- 
try was encamped on the ground at the time the county fair should have 
been held, but left for the front in time for the State fair to be held on the 
ground. We copy from the Iowa City Republicaii's report some points 
of permanent historic interest: 

"In our description of the last State fair [to which brief history was 
awarded the first premium for 'the best and most complete history and 
report of the fair in any daily, weekly, or monthly newspaper in Iowa], 
we gave a somewhat extended sketch of the rise and advancement of our 
State Agricultural Society, which we will here briefly recapitulate. 

"Dr. J. M. Shaffer, of Jeflerson county, and Judge T. W. Claggett, of 
Lee count}^, took the initial steps toward instituting the society. Previ- 
ous to the meeting of the legislature of 1856-7, but one thousand dollars 
had been appropriated to advance the interests of the association. At 
and since that session, pecuniary provision for its maintenance to the 
amount of two thousand dollars annually has been made by the legisla- 
ture. 

" The third and fourth fairs were held at Muscatine, the fifth and sixth 
at Oskaloosa, and last year, the seventh, and now the eighth, at Iowa 
City. These fairs have all been successes. We make no exception in 
this affirmation against the fair just closed, although the Davenport Dem- 
ocrat and News very magnanimously pronounced it a failure in advance — 
thus, to the extent of its narrow influence and limited circulation, doing 
what it could to prevent the attendance of persons from the eastern por- 
tion of the state. 

" Since the administration of Judge Claggett, the society's first presi- 
dent, the following gentlemen have been honored with the distinction of 
being its chief executive officer: Gen. Jesse Bowen, of Iowa City, for 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 341 

the year 185S; Z. T. Fisher, Esq., 1859; and Judge Geo. G. Wright, the 
present accomplished president, for the years 18(30 and 1>^61. In 1856, 
Capt. J. H. Wallace, of Muscatine, the present gentlemanly and efficient 
secretary, was elected to the office he now holds, and has fulfilled its mani- 
fold and difficult duties with such high satisfaction to the association and 
the public that he has been retained in the position ever since by annual 
re-election. 

" The citizen or stranger, whether lady fair, or belonging to the mascu- 
line persuasion, who, week before last, led by curiosity, the promptings 
of friendship or affection, or the stern decrees of a ' militar}^ necessity, 
visited Camp Fremont, and witnessed the camp fires smouldering in the 
ditch, the drill by squad, by company, or by battalion, heard the fife's 
shrill sound, and saw the drum chastised, noted the steady tramp of the 
guard, or in short, remarked in any way the martial surroundings incident 
to the encampment of a thousand brave and gallant men-at-arms, could 
scarcely realize, on re-visiting the ground on Tuesday of last week, that 
it was one and the same place — so changed was the scene. Camp Fre- 
mont, with all its, ' pomp and circumstance of war,' had suddenh^ as by the 
enchanter's wand, been transformed into and wore the peaceful agricultural 
aspects of the Johnson county fair grounds — the seat of the eighth annual 
exhibition of the Iowa State Agricultural Society. The martial airs had 
died away, and the word of command and the countersign had given 
place to the bleating of sheep and the lowing of kine, and the gallant fel- 
lows of the 10th regiment, who had impressed upon the green plain of 
the fair ground the charm and romance of a military history, were then 
hurr3'ing with cheers and hurrahs to the succor of their valiant com- 
patriots in arms in Missouri. But, alas! the order which brought joy to 
them also carried disappointment to many a heart of sweetheart, wife or 
friend who had been looking forward with fond expectation to sweet 
re-union at the opening of the state fair, but had now determined to forego 
the minor pleasure of visiting the fair, or avert the pain such pleasure 
would bring unshared with the absent and loved. So the state fair has 
k)st many a visitor who intended to execute two specimens of the feath- 
ered tribe with a single boulder, b}' visiting a brother, son, father, or 
friend, or one who stood in more distant yet dearer relationship, at Camp 
Fremont and the state fair at the same time. 

FIRST DAY. 

" The local committee deserves much praise for the energetic manner in 
which they changed the character and appearance of the ground from 
a camp to a fair. It was only on the Friday afternoon previous that the 
Tenth regiment received their tents, and were enabled to leave the sheds. 
Yet now, on Tuesday morning, in little more than three days, everything 
is right side up. The president, secretary, marshals, and an efficient 
22 



342 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

police — the latter composed chiefly of members of the immortal company 
B, of Iowa's First Volunteer Regiment — were early on the ground. 

" During Tuesday the time was spent in receiving entries, which were 
more numerous than last year, and in re-organizing the committees, sub- 
stituting new names for those of absentees. The number of instances 
■where friends answered for absent ones as their names were called, that 
thev had ' gone to the war,' showed that the professions of arms and 
agriculture were by no means incompatible." 

In 1862 and '63 it does not appear that any fair was held, probably 
owing to the all-absorbing interest and vital necessities of the war 
business. 

In 186i Thomas C. Carson reported: "The tenth annual fair of John- 
son County Agricultural and Mechanical Society was held October 4, 
5, 6, and 7, near Iowa Cit}^, on grounds of twenty-five acres, well 
fenced with tight board fence, and otherwise in good repair, all of which 
belongs to the societ}^ and is free of debt. It commenced raining October 
3d, the dav previous to the opening of the fair, and rained more or less 
€verv day during the holding of the same. It was cold and disagreeable, 
with bad roads. Every thing tended to dampen all prospects of success, 
though notwithstanding all this there was a fair turn out, and evervthing 
passed off as pleasanth' as possible, taking all things into consideration. 
There were two hundred and thirty entries made." 

At the regular meeting of the Johnson County Agricultural Societ}^ 
held at the court house, Monday, November Y, 1864, the following officers 
were elected for the ensuing year: 

J. H. Westenhaver, president; Francis Barnes, vice-president; O. B. 
Barrows, vice-president; Thos. C. Carson, secretary; Frank Bowman, 
treasurer. 

Executive Committee. — Washington township, Elias Howell; Union 
township, E. W. Manville; Scott township, John Parrott; Newport town- 
ship, Chas. Gaymon: Iowa City, I. V. Dennis, Iowa City, Cyrus Sanders; 
Iowa City, Edward Carson; Monroe townsliip, N. Winterstein; Jefferson 
township, Jacob Shuey; Clear Creek, Bryan Dennis; Big Grove town- 
ship, Chas McCune; Penn township, Cyrus Abbott; Graham township, 
J. P. Coulter: Madison township, Jas. Chamberlain; Cedar township, 
Moses Adams; Oxford township, Lewis Doty; Sharon township, Chas. 
Cartright; Fremont township, Jacob Stonebraker; Hardin township, A. 
D. Packard; Liberty township, Jonas Hartman. 

Committee in charge of fair ground — E. C. Lee. 

On motion, the meeting adjourned to meet again for regular business at 
the court house, Saturday, January 28, 1865, at 1 o'clock p. m. 

J. H. Westenhaver, President. 

Thos. C. Carson, Secretary, 

In 1868 a report was made by L. E. Paine, secretary of the county 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 343 

society, but it contmned no points worth preserving. The report for 1869 
was very meager, and no name to show who furnished it. 

For the year 1870, H. W. FyfTe, of Iowa City, made the report for 
Johnson county, giving among other things three full pages in small print 
of elaborate and exhaustive statistical tables. When Mr. Fyfte makes a 
report it gets down to bed rock. We select a few paragraphs, which have 
a permanent historic interest as showing certain facts and conditions of 
special industries at that time: 

"^/rt.v. — ^At least ten per cent more raised, and of much better qualitv, 
both of seed and lint, than last year. It is a paying crop, the seed bring- 
ing $1.P)0 per bushel, and the lint from $5.00 to $8.00 per ton. The flax 
mill worked two hundred and fifty tons of straw into lint in six months, 
which was shipfied to St. Louis. Average yield of seed per acre, eleven 
bushels, at $1.60 per bushel, straw $7.00 per ton, equals $2i.60 per 
acre. 

'■''Hogs are attracting considerable attention. There are many late 
importations of Chester Whites, Bytields, Magee, Berkshires and 
Cheshires; the latter crossed on the Chester White, is receiving consider- 
able favor. 

'■'■ Manufactories. — Iowa City is the principal market, and has a popula- 
tion ot over eight thousand. In the vicinit}^ are six fiouring mills, four of 
which are run by steam, and two by water power; one paper mill, two 
woolen mills, one linseed oil mill, one flax mill, one foundery, two machine 
shops, two planing mills, one pump manufactory, and one reaper manu- 
factory, all doing a flourishing business. 

"About one hundred acres are planted in grapes. The Concord, owing 
to its rapid growth, hardiness, and good quality, is considered the best. 
About ninety per cent is planted with it; the rest in Catawba, Isabella, 
Delaware, Rogers' Hybrid, and Hartford Prolific. About six thousand 
pounds were made into wine, making thirteen barrels. Two thousand 
pounds were consumed and sold. Average price ten cents per pound. 

"Sales of nursery stock the past year amounted to $31,000." 

1871. This year Mr. F3^fle again collects many items of individual 
experiments and their results, in different branches of agricultural and 
other industries of the county. Some of these have a permanent value for 
reference, and will always be read with interest, as showing what has been 
done, and therefore can be done agaiti. 

"Flax raising is becoming of great interest. Mr. Harrigan raised twen- 
ty-four acres, average 19^ bushels; making -168 bushels at $1.50 per 
bushel, $702.00; straw, 24 tons, $7.00 per ton, $168.00, making $870.00 
John and Jerry Carey, of Fremont township, seventy acres of new break- 
ing, average 14 bushels per acre at $1.50 per bushel, or $21.00 per acre, 
making $1,470. Mr. Cannon raised two crops of flax from one sowing; 



344 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

the first crop 19 bushels per acre, the second crop 3^ bushels per acre, 
making 22^ bushels at $1.50 per bushel, or $33.75 per acre. 

The crop of 1871, 37,085 bushels. Average per bushel $1.45,-$53,773.25 
" " 1870, 21,737 " " ' " " 1.75,- 38,039.75 

« " 1868, 33,733 " " " " 1.70,- 57,414.10 



$149,221.10 

" The corn crop is the heaviest ever raised. John Fr}', on ten acres of 
the white Ohio corn, has gathered over one thousand bushels, and many 
others like amounts to the acre. This corn is a class that never gets so 
hard as the common yellow or white. The Pokeberry "^or Claret has 
proved to be a very profitable corn for stock. The common yield is from 
seventy-five to one hundred bushels. Broom corn is a crop that has 
become one of profit. It has been raised the past five vears with an aver- 
age of from 700 to 1,000 pounds per acre; price per ton $50 to $100. 
The corn raised here is manufactured into brooms and sold in this market. 

M. W. Davis writes his experience in grape culture: " In'1865 I planted 
twenty-seven varieties of those that were considered the best and hardiest 
planting six by six, in deep cultured ground. I have been testing new 
varieties since, and the whole number of kinds planted number seventy- 
two. Out of these I had thirty-eight varieties of fruit the past season; 
the remainder mostly have been too tender for this climate. 

" The past season has been very fruitful, and one in which all varieties 
have ripened well before any frosts. Among the varieties fruited are 
some worthy of special mention. Martha, a new white grape and one of 
the best, bears equal to Concord; berries and bunches not quite as large. 
Rogers' Hybrids, with me, are my favorites. I have fruited the following 
numbers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 15, 19, 22, 28, 30, 41, 42, 43 and 44. They are 
all good without an exception; berries very large, bunches large, rather 
loose. Mathews No. 13, a very fine grape, and I believe identical with 
Rogers No. 1. Perkins, a hardy, good bearer, light colored grape, 
took the fancy of some, but it has a peculiar flavor that I do not 
like; early ripening, with Hartford. Arnold's Hj^brids will prove as 
hardy as Concords, and in quality far superior. The old Delaware 
with me does as well as Concord, and I get as many bunches from 
it as I do from the same aged vines, having picked thirty pounds from a 
vine four years old. I cover my vines for two winters after setting and 
then if a vine will not endure our seasons without protection, I re-plant 
with something that will. 

I had the good fortune to learn the facts from our sorghum manufac- 
turers of the four different parts of the county: 

From the eastern, 100 gallons average for 1871, against 80 gallons in 
1870. From the southern, 125 gallons average for 1871, against 100 gal- 
lons for 1870. From the northwest, 120 gallons average for 1871, against 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 345 

90 gallons for 1870. From the southwest, 110 averai^e for 1871, against 
80 gallons for 1870. 

During eight months, ending April S, lb 71, D. Ham purchased and 
shipped at Iowa City: 

£gg's — 220,618 dozen, average price 16 cents $36,737.88 

Butler — 166,515 pounds, average price 18 cents 29,973.70 

Poultry — 111,598 pounds, average price 10 cents 11,159.80 

Grouse — 4,460 pairs. 

^itai'ls —SQ5 dozen. 

Rabbits -756. 

Amount of flour consumed by bakeries, three in all, 725 barrels. Value 
of crackers, bread, etc., $3,950.00. 

Broom factories, two; broom-corn, fifty tons; handles, 2,335 dozen. 
Value of brooms, $8,752. 

The paper mill in 1871 consumed 750 tons of straw, fifty tons of flax 
straw, and forty tons of rags; there was made ten tons of manilla paper, 
twenty tons of printing paper, and 400 tons of wrapping paper and paste 
board. Running time, four months. 

Home Woolen Mills — Number of hands employed, 25 to 32; number of 
cards, two sets; number of spindles worked, 720; number of looms, nine; 
amount of wool worked, 28,500 pounds; yards of goods manufactured 
30,750; pairs of blankets manufactured, 200; pounds of yarn manufac- 
tured, 3,000. Running time, six months. 

Hemf — In 1842-3 Messrs. William Snyder, I. N. Sanders, Edward 
Foster and F. N. Banbury, and many others, made experiments with 
hemp, and the yield was from three to five tons. They erected machinery 
for manufacturing the same into lint. The yield was large. After its 
preparation for market, the lack of transportation at once deterred them 
from further experiments, at the same time they were fully satisfied that 
it would be a profitable crop if proper transportation could be had. 
There has been, from year to year, small lots put out for the seed, and 
during the last five years it has been increasing in acreage. Mr. William 
North four j^ears ago sowed forty acres. This proved a good paying 
crop, the ^neld being three and one-half tons per acre. Last spring, 
Messrs. Finkbine and Lovelace, owners of the lint mills, purchased seeds 
from Missouri, and furnished a few farmers, to give it a fair trial, to see 
whether it would be a paying crop. They themselves put up forty acres. 
The average yield is about three and one-half tons per acre, but on two 
small lots have gone as high as five and one-half tons. It is worth, at the 
mills, $10 per ton, or about $35 per acre for the crop. The expense of 
the crop is about the same as a heavy crop of rye. The amount of seed 
to the acre is one and a half bushels. 

One farmer, three miles from the city, put out sixty acres, and he tells 
me that he has never handled such a crop. It leaves the ground perfectly 



346 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

clean, not a weed on it. His acreage is over three tons to the acre, which 
will make the snug amount of $1,800 for his crop in gross. Where is 
there a crop that will equal it? We can say none. The next best crop 
in this county is flax. I have heard no complaint of any losses by over- 
rotting. 

Bxpen'incnts in Handling Calves. — P. Tantlinger, of Clear Creek 
township, purchased, in the fall of 1869, sixteen common cows at a cost of 
from $25 to $40 per head. The spring of 1870 the calves were dropped 
from March to June. His treatment was to let them have all the milk 
and pasturage, with the cows. He had two lots of pasturage, and 
changed them every two weeks. When he cut his meadows he let them 
on it, and after the grass had made a good start; he let them remain on 
them two weeks. He then changed every two weeks from the pasture 
lots to the meadows till the frost had destroyed the grass. From that till 
the first of November his feed was hay alone. His rule was to salt twice 
a week. He ted no grain of any kind. The cows gave milk enough to 
pay for their keeping. 
For 1870, sixteen head, average 540 pounds, at 5c .$432.00 

" 1871, " " " 545 " "4c 348.00 



$787.80 
Calved from April to June, 1871; sold from November 1 to December 

5, 1871. 

Philo Haynes owned in April, 1871, two twin calves, from a common 

cow and crossed with Devon. He experimented with them as follows: 

He gave them all the milk and three quarts of shorts and oats per day. 

He found the experiment a paying one. He sold them at five and seven 

months old. 

One at five months old, 525 pounds, at 4 cents |21.00 

" " seven " " 695 « "4 '' 27.80 



$48.80 
This has fully satisfied him that there is money in calves in this man- 
ner of treatment, the cow furnishing milk enough after the calves were 
taken away to pay for her keeping. There are three or four other lots 
with the same result. 

A HUSK FACTORY. 

The report of Johnson county for 1872 was made by L. Robinson, the 
only item of special note being the following new industry: 

" Since the last report a new enterprise has been started by Messrs. 
Gregg & Horner, and is a benefit to the farming community as well as to 
our city. It consists ot a factory for the utilization of corn husks. They 
pay from $15 to $20 per ton, according to the quality of the husks, and 
have a capacity for working up twenty tons per week, and have secured 



HISTORY OV JOHNSON COUNTY. 347 

about three hundred tons. In several instances they have hired men and 
teams at full prices, and set them at v^'ork in sundry fields jerking, husk- 
ing and cribbing the corn for the husks, demonstrating to the farmer that 
the husks will pay for gathering the crop of corn. The prepared husks 
will find a ready market in Chicago and all large cities." 

In 1874 S. Robinson made the report for Johnson county, and a few 
points are worth preserving. He says: 

" There were near nine hundred entries, of which over three hundred 
were of live stock. The display of cattle, horses and swine was very 
fine, and showed marked improvement in each class. 

"D. Cookson & Son, and Shaner & Meyers bore off the herd premiums 
with their magnificent Durhams. E. W. Lucas, H. W. Lathrop, A. 
Crawford, and A. H. Humphrey, showed fine animals of this royal breed, 
and took away sundry premiums. No Devons or Ayrshires were shown. 
Z. C. Luse & Son, and John Dilatulile swept the premiums on Jerseys. 

" G. W. Lathrop's 'Whalebone,' and G. W. Simpson's 'Georgia ' bore 
off the honors of the trotting course, making the best time ever made on 
our track, 2:314^. In the principal running race Halderman's ' Woodburn ' 
and Brown's ' Little Frank ' were the running horses, all for citizen's 
purses. For the society's premiums, W. W. Smith and Joe Golddust took 
first premium, and Burg's ' Kitty Bell-founder ' second for single trotting, 
and Burg's ' Kitty ' and mate first, and Porter's ' Bessie ' and mate sec- 
ond for double teams. In blooded horses, W. C. Bryant's Golddust 
stallion took the first premium, and Wm. Nelson's Perchon the first 
for horses for general work. E. T. Seymour's Bashaws took the first 
premiums for carriage horses. Luse & Son's jack, " Spanish Ben," took 
the honors i this class. 

" E. Sangster, A. Whitaker, W. W. Thompson and J. Zellars, took the 
many premiums on Poland China swine; J. Ady and John Clark on 
Berkshires; Haynes and John Wilcox on Chester Whites; H. W. Lathrop, 
on Essex. 

" Our display of vegetables was unusually fine, there being 129 entries. 
D. R. Pillsbury, J. Ady. W. W. Thompson and W. J. Leate were the 
largest contributors, and bore oft' premiums accordingly, 

" Floral hall was adorned by flowers from the grounds of Mrs. J. W. 
Clark and others, and a generous displa}^ of the handiwork of Iowa City's 
and t e country's fair daughters; Mrs. M. E. Neely, of Iowa City, taking 
the largest number of premiums. 

" Fruit. — Our people continue to set out orchards and fruit trees of 
other kinds, and many are this year eating the fruit of their own trees. 
Early apples were a good crop, and there is a fair crop of winter apples, 
but there are many complaints of their being wormy and not keeping 
well. Many trees are aftected with the oyster scab louse, and the canker 
worm has done some damage. Cherries were an abundant crop. The 



348 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Early Richmond and Morello are the only kinds that do well. Small 
fruits were abundant. The drouth shortened the jrop of raspberries one- 
half. 

" In manufactories there is an increasinf^ interest. Mr. L, Close has 
more than doubled the capacity of his paper mill; Messrs. Turner & Co. are 
putting in the machinery to manufacture oat meal, pearl barley, pearl 
wheat, cracked wheat, and hominy, with a capacity to consume 1,500 
bushels of grain per day." 

WHAT KIND OF WHEAT. 

In 1877, Charles A. Vogt made the agricultural report for Johnson 
count3^ And in order to show what varieties of wheat have been tested 
here, and the results as reported, we quote: "The varieties furnished by 
our dealers are, the Club, Tea, Mammoth, Odessa, Nut and Chicago 
White. The Chicago White, (this 3'ear, 1877,) has yielded from eighteen 
to twent3^-t\vo bushels. Mammoth has done well; in most of the locations 
from fifteen to twenty. Odessa has been the favorite variety; in most of 
the townships where sowed, it was universally good; from twenty to 
thirty bushels; sixty to sixty-two pounds. Nut has also proved to be a variety 
that has gained in favor; yield from eighteen to thirty-two bushels; fifty- 
eight to sixty-two pounds. No rust; no lodging with the Odessa and 
Nut. 

"The result of the yield in the difierent townships, and the varieties are 
as follows: Dr. Coulter, of Graham township, Odessa, thirty bushels per 
acre. A. Stable, of Graham township, Odessa, twenty-nine and seven- 
eights bushels per acre. E. x\lmon, Monroe township. Nut, thirty bushels 
per acre. F. Novak, Monroe, Odessa, Nut and Chicago White, twenty- 
eight and one-half bushels per acre. Lewis Doty, Oxford, Odessa, five 
acres, 150 bushels, sixy-two pounds per bushel. Wm. Manna, Clear Creek, 
Odessa, eight acres, 244 bushels, sixty pounds per bushel. Thomas 
Welch, Hardin, Nut, nine acres, 257 bushels, sixty-one pounds per bushel. 
There could be a large number still added to the Hst from other town- 
ships, but the above is sufficient to show the importance of changing the 
seed of small grain, and especially wheat. Our farmers will, in the future, 
profit from this experiment. In many neighborhoods the old varieties 
gave fine yields of Chicago White, Club, Tea, Italian, etc." 

OATS. 

This crop has become an important one since the oat and pearl mill 
has been started in our neighborhood. The kind and quality is import- 
ant. Many varieties have been introduced, and the best has been selected 
for milling. The White Dutch has been pronounced as one of the most 
valuable for milling purposes. This report from a few townships to show 
its yield per acre: In Graham township, sixty bushels per acre, from one 
farmer. In Clear Creek township, fifty bushels, from three farmers. In 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 349 

Union township, sixty-tive bushels per acre, from two farmers. In Wash- 
ington township, fifty-eight bushels per acre from twelve farmers. In 
Penn township, fifty-five bushels per acre, from five farmers. 

These oats weigh thirty-five pounds to the bushel, machine measure. 

PRODUCE SHIPMENTS. 

To show what kind of industries are chiefly pursued in the county, the 
following list of shipments from Iowa City from December 1, 1877, to 
November 30, 1878, is given by car-load lots. Of course some shipments 
were made from Oxford, Tiffin, Morse, Solon, Lone Tree, and Coralville, 
but the great bulk of the county's shipments are made from Iowa City. 
This table is compiled and consolidated from the returns of the C, R. I. 
& P. and the B., C. R. & N. railroads: 

Products shipped. No. cars. Products shipped No. cars. 

Horses 26 Wrapping paper 101 

Cattle 156 Ice 18 

Hogs 460 Oat meal 158 

Sheep 7 Stone 27 

Wheat 123 Lime 2 

Rye 35 Wool 4 

Oats 65 High-wines 10 

Corn 95 Butter 4 

Barley 7 Poultry 1 

Flour 78 Other freight 612 

Linseed oil 72 



Oil-cake 89 Total 2,150 

The corresponding reports for 1879 showed a total of 2,113 cars shipped 
from Iowa City. 

AGRICULTURAL REPORT FOR 1880. 

The report for Johnson county to the State Agricultural Society was 
made this year by E. K. Lucas, and embodied some general information 
of permanent value, which we quote: 

" The roads and bridges are first-class. Iowa City shows signs of 
prosperity on every hand. Besides being a center of education and cul- 
ture, it is becoming a great manufacturing point. There are: 1st, Glu- 
cose works, capacity, three thousand bushels of corn per day; will give 
employment to forty men; 2d, alcohol works, capacity, two thousand 
bushels of grain per day; the company feed one thousand, one hundred 
head of cattle, and several hundred hogs; the alcohol is exported to 
Europe and South America; 3d, packing house, nearly completed, capi- 
tal $125,000; will employ about three hundred men; capacity, three hun- 
dred hogs daily ; 4th, glass-works, capital, $25,000; employs twenty-five 
hands, and manufactures the finest quality of flint-glass, table-ware, etc. ; 
5th, cutler3^-works, capital, $25,000; employs thirty hands. Besides these 
are paper-mills, oatmeal-mills, woolen-mills, watch-factory, galvanized 
iron works, machine-shops, and foundries. They are all owned at home 
and operated by home capital. 



350 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

" The farmers are very pro^^ressive in breeding live stock, and improve- 
ments in the best strains are general. This applies to both horses and 
cattle, so that at no distant day this will be one of the great tine stock 
centers of the west. Jerseys and Holsteins are attracting attention for 
their milking qualities. A cow was exhibited at the fair as a milk 
and butter cow. She is a thoroughbred Holstein, four vears old. She 
calved June 13, and the trial began June 25. She gave in ten days eight 
hundred and fifteen pounds of milk, from the cream of which were made 
twenty-nine pounds and six ounces of good butter, which was also exhib- 
ited at the fair. She ran with a herd of eighty-five, and owing to the dry 
weather the pasturage was short. She was fed a mixture of common 
shorts, and during the last few days of the trial some green corn fodder. 
She increased in milk after the trial, reaching as high as ninetv-one pounds 
per day. 

"The swine mostly preferred are Poland China and Berkshire: the few 
experiments ^with Duroc met with indifierent success. The loss from 
hog cholera was quite severe in several localities. The sheep interests 
are not so great as they should be; there is one flock of Merinos, the finest 
and purest breed in the State. 

"The crops generally were good, something more than the average. 
Oats and rye, good: wheat, poor: potatoes, fine; apple crop, small: grapes, 
good." 

CENSUS STATISTICS OF 1S80. 
[Furnished by W. H. Fleming, Esq., of Des Moines.] 

Area of the count v, 618 square miles. 

City and village population 9,077 

Rural population : 16,352—25,429 

Number of farms under 3 acres 11 

" over 3 acres and under 10 acres -1:3 

" '• 10 acres and under 20 acres 55 

" " 20 acres and under 50 acres 289 

" " 50 acres and under 100 acres 560 

" " lOO acres and under 500 acres 1,213 

" " 500 acres and under 1,000 acres 42 

" 1,000 1 



Total number of farms in the county 2,809 

Number farms rented for fixed cash rent 191. 

" " " share of profit 404. 

Acres. Bushels. 

Barley 1,532 28,646 

Buck wheat 300 3,614 

Corn 108,417 4,951,472 

Oats 22,238 736,649 

Rye 4,795 73,026 

Wheat 30,250 242,229 

Irish potatoes 2,095 201,473 

Sweet potatoes 10 l»19 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 351 

Number of horses in the county 13,522 

" of mules and asses S55 

" of working oxen 4 

" of milch cows 12,695 

«« of other cattle 28,851 

" of sheep lb,142 

of swine 122,295 

The equalized valuation of real estate in ISSl was: 

Lands $4,251,825 

Town lots 1,360,085— $5,611,910 

The number of miles of railroad in the county, December 31, 1881, was 
69.86 — made up as follows: 

Name of Railroad. Miles. Value per mile. 

Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern 16.05 $ 5,500 

B., C. R. & N., Iowa Citv Division 19.59 2,000 

B., C. R. & N., Muscatine Division 7.06 2,500 

Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific 27.16 12,600 

The total railroad valuation in the county as assessed in 1882, was 
$487,321. 

LAND VALUATIONS IN 1877. 

June 15, 1877, the county board took up the equalization of the assess- 
ment of the several townships, and after a thorough examination, the fol- 
lowing was on motion adopted as the equalized valuation of the realty of 
the several townships and incorporated towns in Johnson county, the same 
rate of increase to apply to town lots, to-wit: 

Cedar township, average value $10.00 per acre; Big Grove township, 
average value $9.50 per acre: Jefferson township, average value $8.00 
per acre: Monroe township, average $9.00 per acre: Oxford township, 
average $9.25 per acre: Hardin township, average $9.06 per acre: Madi- 
son township, average $9.75 per acre: Clear Creek township, average 
$10.10 per acre; Penn township, average $10.75 per acre; New^port town- 
ship, average $8.35 per acre: Graham township, average )^11 .42 per acre; 
Scott township, average $11.6<» per acre: Union township, average $10.25 
per acre; Washington township, average $10.50 per acre: Sharon town- 
ship, average $11.50 per acre: Liberty township, average $9.35 per acre; 
Fremont township, average $10.15 per acre; Lincoln township, average 
$11.25 per acre; Pleasant Valley township, average $10.07 per acre; 
Lucas township, average $19.15 per acre; Coralville, add ]6f per cent; 
Iowa Citv, as assessed. James Lee, Cluiirman. 

A. J. Hershire, Clerk. 



I. VST - 



KTV VALUATIONS IN" IS 52. 



TOWNSHIPS. 




Scon 

Cedar 

Bij '^- e 

J- 

Up:^ 

Washington . . . . 
SharoD. . . 

Liberty 

Fremoot 

Pleasant Valley. 

Lioooin 

Madison 

Penn 

Clear Creek. 

Monroe 

Hardm 

Oxford 

Lucas 



216.S31 

las^i'o::* 

15-2.0S0 
2^1.77" 

i4':'.7:':^ 

14".: _ 
15S, :- 
15«>.353 
j 16«:«^39' 



•J < O.rJ-J 4 



i"t*,77^;sio 

2^,S13j 7 

141.9S5 13 

•?9J45 9 

1«X»,561 11 

4<:',471 7 

4o.Hc/. 1 1 

11 ^.-Sr.*? 11 

79.^3 12 

49,195 10 

79.633 10 

39.036 9 

31,':;41, li' 

47.196' 9 
30.729 

12L70S 
•:-\749 

149,736" 



11 
10 

9 

9 

17 



16 Si6 
70| S36 
23 S97 
77i 963 
31il363 
S9i 7S9 
26 7S0 
53 999 
331159 
5«V 56S 
061210 
56 6<>4 
•»6 5SS 
57. 625 
10 702 
07' 642 
73 941 
45 S34 
67 1436 
051494 



Totals 



^.216.»:-36 1.471.7SS 



TOWNS. 




T. ~ 


~ 7. 
- x 


^iorse Stadoc 


3.029 5" 
2»:;.^24 3««^^5 

4.L'73 

l.^.v" 


^4 


Sokn 


3.-3 


^nevriHe 


108 


^^iDiamstown* , , . 




Jotown* 


V.5: 




Lone Tree 


14^0581 

7161 

476 

257. 

33301 

- .- - ' V7.23(« 

1 


?17 


River JoncdoE 

Morfo«Yi9%-nie 


25 

55 


GreenCastJe^ 




North Libertr* 




Tiffin 


47 


South Liberty 


« i 


Windham. . .' 

Corahille 

Oxford - . 


33 
347 
56<^i 


Iowa City 


7123 


Toiai- 


\ 1.347/'.S^' 621,530 





*Thc tovB» CHuked viUk a star are iMiC named io the census laMee of i^). And two 
lovBs tkat an ia tkeeewos taUe. to-wit: Oaeis. 16 iBhaWtante, and Fnuik Pierce. 31 inbab- 
HaaU, are Bot naaed ia tfcia amemmtat taUe. ThgiT aaaemmeM. was not made separate 
troM tkeir unruhipa. See eompleieeaMaataUefiir a aeries of years, oa page aOi. 



mSTORY OF JOHNSON" COUXTV. 3.53 

To:aJ reaii\' :n towns Si wiT.r-.SS 

Total railroad propem- J:iX«,S35» 

Total live stock valuatioo 732,4^>i: 

Total other personal property .... S93,72-t 

ELECTIONS ox THE " HOG LAW.** 

This was a ~iocai option ~ law, to be accepted or not by eac^ county 
separatelv. The main point was, - that from and after the 15th of Octo- 
ber, 1S55, it shall not be lawftil for any sheep, goat or hog to be suOered 
to nin at iar^e within the county of JcAnson, in this State." The rest o€ 
it merelv recited details of violation, nature of penalties, ntode ot recor- 
ery, etc The election took, place on April 2d, lSo5, and resulted as 

follows: 

For the A*auBs:tke Fvtlie A*m^&e 

Township. hof lav. hof lav. Torayiip. ko^ Ikw. ho^ 1am. 



Iowa City 239 S«) 

Bier Grove .35 55 

Cedar 32 7 



Clear Creek 52 9 

Washington. - 47 

L mon 1 . bl 



Jefferson 22 10 Libertv 23 36 

Monroe 39 23 Pleasant VaDev 21 .55 

Penn 42 32 ; Newport " 34 4S 

Scott 37 11 

Total r^: ^^ 

Majority for hog law 2t'3 

But the law seemed to be not sati^ctorv in its wcH-kings, tor Oct- 12, 
1S5S, a vote was taken on a proposition to rescind the law, and the result 
in the countv was lOSi in favcw of rescinding it, and 917 against — 1':'7 
majoritv in favor of abolishing the law. And stiQ they were not happv, 
for, oa March 14, 15-59, the voters took another wrestle with die hogs- 
This time there were 93«> votes cast in favcH- of keeping up hogs and 
sheep, and 1C»6S votes against it, or a majority of 13S for bog Hberty. So 
the hogs got their oppKHients down again. 

Matters stood in this shape until October S, 1S67, when the peripatetic 
porker question was tried again at the ballot box. This time thoe were 
1125 votes cast in favor of "swine running at large,"' and 14S3 against it. 
S<^ hog libertv was beat at last bv 35S maioritv. And all the piggies wept. 

STOCK LAW. 

On October 13. IS 74, a vote was taken on a propositicm for •^restrain- 
ing stock from running at large from the first day of August in each 
year to the first day of December ibllowing.*' The result of the vote in 
the county was: 

For the stock law 1«>^ 

Against the stock law 1«>21 

Only seventy-one majcHity in so large a vote was a dose fit, but it carried. 

MR. LATHROP OX HOG CHOLERA. 

In 1S72 the State Agriculrjra! Society sent out a list of inquiries coo- 



354 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

cernincr the management of live stock, their diseases and remedies. 
There were nine general heads of inquiry. The only answer of any 
extent or importance from Johnson county was the following on the hog 
question, by H. W. Lathrop, of Iowa City: 

"Several thousand hogs have died of cholera: 500 dead hoffs have been 
used up in the lard oil factor}' here. The best preventative is succulent 
food, as pumpkins, turnips, and other root crops. For both preventative 
and cure, I give plent}' of stone-coal and wood ashes, with an occasional 
teed of lime slacked in water or slop; about once a week mix salt with 
the ashes when fed. I also use sulphate of iron, and saltpeter in slop. 
Whenever the disease makes its appearance I give the copperas twice a 
week, in doses of a tablespoonful to eight to fifteen hogs, according to 
the age. I have made frequent dissections the past twelve 3'ears, and in 
all cases have found a hepatized condition of the lungs, being filled more 
or less with dark hard bodies. The skin assumes a scarlet or purple 
appearance, accompanied with swelling about the throat. In all acute 
attacks, there has been no other form of disorganization; but in chronic 
cases the bowels have been found ulcerated and filled with worms. The 
disease begins in the lungs, and is first indicated by a cough. Among the 
preventatives, cleanliness and good shelter are important. My theory is 
that the lungs fail to purify the blood, and the other symptoms are the 
result." 

HOG NOTES. 

Charles A. Vogt made the agricultural report for Johnson county in 
1875. The following statistics printed with it were furnished by H. W. 
F3'ft'e of Iowa City, and show who did what, and with what kind of hogs: 

Number of hogs sold in Iowa City market for the months of December, 
1875, and January, 1876. 

H. A. Bradley, 29, gross weight 11,285 pounds, average 389.14 pounds; 
Mav pigs and brood sow s, were taken from grass Sept. 30, and were fed 
eighty-six days, when put in the pen they were very thin and estimated 
to weigh 150 pounds each. At the end of eighty-six days there was a gain 
of almost 250 pounds to each hog, or a fraction less than three pounds per 
day. 

Roland Reese sold, on the 6th of Januaiy, 50 head; weight 22,100 
pounds; average, 442 pounds; average age, 16 months; breed, Chester 
White. 

A. Hens worth sold, on the same day 54 head; weight, 18,468 pounds; 
average, 342 pounds: average age, 12 months; breed, Chester. 

Samuel Low, in December sold 28 head; weight, 9,640 pounds; aver- 
age, 344.27 pounds; age, 13 months; breed, Poland-China. 

Isaac Bowmen sold, in the same month, 30 head; weight, 10,332 pounds; 
average, 344.25 pounds; age, 14 months; breed, Poland-China. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 355 

E. Fry in the same month sold li head; weight, 5,235 pounds: average, 
373.92 pounds; average age, 12 months; breed, Poland-China. 

Mr. Brennan, 39 head; weight, 15,415 pounds; average, 395.20 pounds; 
age, 13 months: breed Poland-China. 

J. Zella, 25 head; weight, S,7(»0 pounds; average, 34S pounds; age, 12 
months; breed Chester. 

J. B. Miller, 30 head; weight, 11,000 pounds; average, 370 pounds; age, 
12^ months; breed, Chester. 

R. Davis, 56 head; weight, 19,750 pounds: average, 353 pounds; age, 
15 months; breed, Chester. 

E. Roup, 6S head; weight, 21,970 pounds: average, 323.09 pounds; age, 
17 months; breed, Poland-China. 

E. W.Jones, 19 head, w^eight, 5,960 pounds; average, 313.72 pounds: 
age 12i^ months; breed, Chester. 

J. Buckingham, 20 head; weight, 7,290 pounds; age, 14 months; breed, 
Poland-China. 

Mr. Welch, 35 head; weight, 11,475 pounds; age, 15 months, breed, 
Poland-China. 

John Breese sold, January 6, 60 head; weight, 19,380 pounds: average, 
323 pounds; age 13 months; breed, Chester. 

James Magruder, January 10, sold 50 head; weight, 17,705 pounds: 
average, 354 pounds; age, 16 months; breed, Poland-China. 

Richard Williams, January 20, sold 19 head; weight, 6,469 . pounds; 
average, 341 pounds; age, 15 months; breed, Chester. 

John Miller, January 25, sold 20 head; weight, 9,320 pounds: average, 
466 pounds: age, 16 months; breed Chester White and Poland-China. 

The object is to give the number, age and weights of a few lots to show^ 
the qualities of the two leading breeds of the county. The Berkshire is 
gaining favor with the farmers for their purity, as they have for many 
years been used for crossing. 

FINE STOCK ASSOCIATION. 

In March, 1S75, a Johnson County Fine Stock Associationjwas formed, 
the following gentlemen being its first officers: 

President, Capt. Phil. Shaver; Vice-President, Z. C. Luse; Secretary, 
Chas. A. Vogt; Treasurer, H. W. Lathrop; Directors, D. Cookson, Ce- 
dar count}-; John A. Myers, Washington county; A. Crawford, Wm. 
Billingsly and John H. Weeks, of Johnson county. 

This is not a premium exhibition, but a real fine stock ^how, to bring 
all of the pure blooded breeders of this and adjoining counties together, to 
exhibit the progress and standing of this section in thej^matter of fine 
stock. 

The committee on exhibition, appointed by the Association, is composed 
of Messrs. H. W. Lathrop, Z. C. Luse, and Col. E. W. Lucas. 



356 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

IOWA CITY HORSE MARKET. 

The following report made by H. W. Fyffe, on March 16, 1875, shows 
well for Iowa City as a market for horses: 

"In looking up the horse market at Iowa City, I find the amount as 
given by the parties purchasing or at the livery barns. Mr. Fisher fur- 
nished me the amount purchased by himself; Messrs. Smith & Foster the 
number purchased at their barn by other parties, and the Abbott Broth- 
ers the same. Mr. G. W. Kettlewell, the number shod at his shop. To 
all of which gentlemen I am under obligations for their kindness, and for 
the information furnished. 

Name of Parties. Year. No of Cost of Total No. 

cars. cars. cost. horses. 

O. H. Fisher 1872 8 $2,000 $ 16,000 136 

1873 17 1,900 32,300 289 

« 1874 16 1,900 30,400 272 

" to Mar. 15, 1875 4 1,800 7,200 68 

Smith & Foster's 1872 5 2,000 10,000 85 

1873 8 1,900 15,200 136 

1874 10 2,000 20,000 170 

"to Mar. 15, 1875 2 1,600 3,200 34 

At Abbott Bros 1874 3 2,000 6,000 51 

73 $140,300 1241 

Average per head, $113-67. 

DR. CLAPP'S JOLLY SPEECH TO THE STOCK BREEDERS' ASSOCIATION. 

In June, 1875, a few men assembled at Cedar Rapids and organized the 
"Iowa State Improved Stock Breeders' Association." Dec. 13 to 15, 
1881, the eighth annual meeting of this association was held in Iowa City. 
The opening address of welcome was dehvered by Dr. E. F. Clapp, who 
was then president of the Board of Trade and also Professor of Anatomy 
in the Medical Department of the State University. Dr. Clapp's address 
has so many good points, so humorously and yet effectively presented, 
that it is worthy of 'permanent preservation in this volume of history. 
The doctor said: 

Gentlemen of the Breeders^ Convention: On behalf of the Board of 
Trade I stand here to greet and welcome you to Iowa Cit}'. We con- 
gratulate ourselves, gentlemen, on the honor you have conferred upon us 
in making this your place of meeting. We congratulate you upon the 
wisdom of your choice. We congratulate ourselves upon the pleasure it 
gives us. We congratulate you upon making this educational, agricul- 
tural, comtnercial, as well as manufacturing center of Iowa — the great 
State of Iowa — the place of your annual conference. I suppose there is 
not an individual in this house but feels a just and legitimate pride in the 
noble State of Iowa, which you represent. If there be others from out- 
side of the borders of our State, certainly they cannot but feel with us a 
kind of pride in a sister State, especially since it is the younger member of 
the family, strong of limb and sturdy, giving promise of great and good 
things. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 357 

But we offer you a full and hearty welcome. We should be pleased if 
we could offer you pleasant weather — if we could make the heavens shine. 
We should have arranged this if we had attended to it sooner, for we have 
the weather clerk, who is here to attend to these things. I think Prof. 
Hinrichs should be held responsible for the miserable weather, and cen- 
sured accordingly. I understand the object you have in view to be the 
improvement of our domestic animals — the horse, the cow, swine, and 
especially the dog Certainly the object is a laudable one, indeed, a noble 
one. (Applause.) Anything that we can do to enhance the commercial 
interest and wealth of our State, or good of its inhabitants, is certainly a 
laudable undertaking. I trust you ma}- be prosperous, and succeed 
beyond your most sanguine expectations. We have only to look back a 
few years to find the time when such a thing as a stock-breeders' associa- 
tion was hardly thought of; or, if so, it was in some of the eastern parts of 
the country, where a certain number of gentlemen meeting for the improve- 
ment of domestic animals, came together in Massachusetts, or somewhere 
else; but certainly not west of the Mississippi. We can remember dis- 
tinctly when endeavoring to serve our country by eating Uncle Sam's 
rations and standing picket duty, when sent down to the commissiary 
to draw our daily rations, T could take a good-sized steer and carry it off 
without any trouble. (Applause.) 

One of the pleasant recollections of my boyhood is in regard to driving 
up the cattle, when, with a fleet horse, I used to race with them, and 
would often be outrun by them in their efforts to get away. (Applause.) 
At the present time these animals are built on a broader and more liberal 
basis. We find every day that our cattle, hogs, and especially horses, are 
being improved. They are being adapted more nearh' to the purposes 
for which they are required. I trust the ideal bullock and cow has not 
yet come to pass. I am looking forward to the time when the ideal cow, 
swine, and horse shall be reached. Then I trust some of you gentlemen 
who represent this Breeders' Association may have a little time to turn 
your attention to another class of stock which certainly stands as much in 
need of improvement as the horses and cow^s — I mean the human cattle. 
(Applause.) In the rearing and breeding of stock, whatever the class, 
due attention is paid to the parent stock — to the sire, to the dam. And it 
is with a great amount of solicitude and care that these are selected. 
They must possess certain points physically, mentally and morally — for I 
think animals to a certain extent are morall}^ constituted. You will for- 
give a doctor of medicme for talking cattle just as you allow a doctor of 
divinity to talk horses. (Applause.) I have said that I hoped that the 
day was not far distant when these subjects would be taken up. The 
careful breeder avoids the use of vicious animals and those of a bad tem- 
per. He equally avoids monstrosities and those which are deformed. I 
have sometimes thought that the same thing would apply to the human 
family, but did not dare to speak above my breath. The day will come 
when we will treat the human subject with that same kindness that we 
now treat cattle. That is to say, we do not allow the vicious, monstrous, or 
bad-tempered animal to beget his kind; and when a monstrosity appears, 
mentally, morally and physically, we should kindly put him where he 
could do no harm. We are gradually moving in this direction, and the 
time will come when this kindness will be extended. People will then 
look into this matter as carefully as they now attend to the breeding of 
23 



358 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTV. 

their swine. Such a monstrosity, if kept within a State asylum, would 
not have the power to do the injury to people that it would otherwise do. 

But, gentlemen, speaking upon a subject of this kind, one is apt to ram- 
ble and take up too much of your precious time. I suppose I am to say 
something of the city you are visiting here. Man}^ of you who have not 
visited Iowa City for ten years, remember it as the place where the capi- 
tal used to be. For some years our city slept the "Rip Van Winkle" 
sleep. But two or three years ago a change w'as brought about, through 
the enterprise of a few men of our town. They thought it best to hold 
out inducements to capitalists and manufacturers to come here and make 
it their place of abode. We were very much surprised to lind that the 
invitation was not accepted. We came to the conclusion that the only 
wav was to go to work and build these manufacturing interests ourselves. 
Then we formed what is known as the board of trade, an imperfect board 
of trade, gentlemen, but sufficiently perfect to do something in building up 
the interests of Iowa City. To-day we can point with a great deal of 
pride to the ten or twelve manufacturing interests that are carried on in 
Iowa City. We do not wish to boast. We are too modest in this respect. 
(Applause.) In this regard we resemble Cedar Rapids and Marshalltown 
to a certain extent. (Applause. ) We have as large a glucose works as 
you can find in the countr}-, and doing just as good work. It is nothing 
for them to turn out thirty or forty barrels of maple molasses from one 
barrel of New Orleans syrup. (Applause.) You who live at a distance, 
and put down buckwheat cakes lavishly covered with maple s^iup, may 
not have suspected that it came from Iowa Cit}-! We can furnish you 
with the verv best maple syrup without going outside of the corporation 
for the material. So we have our glass w^orks, not as large as we intend 
they shall be, but we send out its products throughout the entire country. 
This might not be the kind of audience to mention our brewery to, because 
you might take advantage of the knowledge. (Applause.) Besides, gen- 
tlemen, you who drink milk at home may not find that it will agree with 
3^ou. But it is not a Jersey cow, and is not expected to be drained to the 
last drop. (Applause.) 

But, gentlemen, we are glad to meet you, and are happy to make your 
acquaintance. I see among you some of our own citizens — some men 
with gray hairs, which stands for wisdom and experience: also, young 
men with bald heads, that may or may not stand for piety. (Applause.) 
I hope that this meeting will be only one of the very many interesting 
meetings we want to have like it in the future. I hope that the interest 
that you now have will only deepen and grow from year to year. And 
then, when you have perfected the thoroughbred slock, we will all join with 
you to improve the human family. You are welcome, thrice welcome. 

Hon. W. A. Morrison, mayor of Iowa City, also warmW welcomed the 
visitors, and invited them to inspect the manufactures and public institu- 
tions of the city, after which the president of the Association, Hon. Z. C. 
Luse, called upon Hon. James Wilson, of Traer, wdio represented the As- 
sociation in the following 

RESPONSE. 

Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen of the Board of Trade of this nmnicipality : 

I am called upon by our worthy president to respond in his behalf and 
ours, to the very cordial welcome you have extended us. As plain farm- 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 359 

ers, we would have felt ourselves very highly honored and vei}^ much at 
home if our welcome had onl}' come from a small fraction of the people of 
either Iowa Cit}- or Johnson county. We would have felt very much 
gratified to have been welcomed here by plain farmers ot Johnson county, 
and to have addressed ourselves immediately to the discussion of questions 
that call us together. 

But when the welcome comes from a member of the great State Uni- 
versity, we as farmers, knowing it to be the greatest educational institution 
in the Mississippi Valle}', feel on that account more highly honored. The 
scientific man who reaches up to the cloud-levels of intellect and brings 
down the facts, we have by one hand, and the worker who tills the soil 
and toils to create the wealth of this great State, we have by the other. 
We have to help us in the capacity of a Breeders' Convention in the deter- 
mining of the adaptibility of the facts, the scientific man. We want to 
take new bearings, and to see how far along the scientific man would have 
the farmer go. We want to see to what extent suggestions are practical 
before we turn to the man who works in his shirt-sleeves. We feel 
greatly honored and greatl}^ interested in the welcome from the Board of 
Trade of Iowa City. These gentlemen are doing much for us. They are 
manufacturing things which it would have been impossible to manufacture 
a few years ago. Glucose could not have been manufactured here a few 
years ago; glass could not have been manufactured here a few years ago; 
pork could not have been manufactured, but the time came when capital 
was cheap enough so that the enterprise of your citizens could go to work 
with it and establish these manutacturing institutions, too numerous to 
mention, thereb}'^ doing more for the farmer than many of us dreamed 
would be done; you are making a home product for the American farmer. 
Now, only five per cent of the home products go abroad for market— the 
home market consumes ninety-five per cent. We feel particularl}" inter- 
ested in being welcomed by the representative of the Board of Trade.' 
Our future depends, in a great measure, upon the success of the Iowa 
manufacture. We do not need to be told that Iowa City people are hos- 
pitable. 

We have had opportunities of knowing much about the towns of Iowa. 
They are different as men are different. Some towns are rushing, push- 
ing, business towns; other towns are educational towns; other towns com- 
bine both qualities. Some towns have learned the art ot being kind and 
hospitable to strangers, and some have it yet to learn. Iowa City is one 
of the most f riendl}', neighborly,, hospitable of cities it has been my for- 
tune to visit. We are not surprised when we come here to find 
30ur hands, hearts, and doors open to receive us. We appreciate with 
gratitude all these things. 

I might close here did I not desire to vindicate the Breeders" i.\ssocia- 
tion in one regard. Prof. Clapp would like to have us extend our obser- 
vations bej'ond brute life, and to have us study and discuss everything 
pertaining to mankind as well; he would like to have us study humanity. 
Well, we do this. We have commenced on ourselves, and are whittling 
away at our own hide-boandness, and just how thick-skinned and how 
hide-bound we are, we haven't determined. And if we ever get through, 
our own hide-boundness in all respects as Iowa farmers, we will be ready 
to meet him on a dead-level""', and discuss the matter farther any time he 

* Did he mean the "dissecting-table" ia the Medical Department of the State Univers- 
ity? 



360 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

wishes it. We thank vou for the cordial welcome, and hope our stay here 
will be prolitable to us and not wearisome to you. 



HORTICULTURE. 

A *• Johnson Countv Grape Growers" Association" was organized in 
Auijust, 1S67. Officers — president, H. \V. Lathrop: vice-president, Le\-i 
Robinson: secretar\-, George J. Boal; treasurer. M. W. Davis. 

Some meetings were held and questions discussed of special concern to 
crape orowers. But the organization was not long kept up. In Sep- 
tember, 1S67, thev had an exhibition in Metropolitan Hall, Iowa Citv, at 
which Dr. Kimball showed 57 varieties of apples, 25 of pears, and '20 of 
grapes, all grown in Johnson county. Many other exhibits were made, 
but this one took the lead. 

FRUIT LIST FOR JOHNSON COUNTY. 

The Iowa State Horticultural Sodet}' has dix-ided the state into twelve 
fruit districts. The n/i^ district comprises the counties of Benton, John- 
son, Iowa, Tama, Poweshiek, Marshall and Jasper. The representative 
of this fruit district in lSS<>-Sl->'2, was H. W. Lathrop, Esq., of Iowa 
Cir\-. 

Fruit lists have been made, discussed, revised, amended, at each annual 
session for a number of vears, but as it is supposed that ever\- change 
made was based on practical experience, it is hardly worth while to put 
into this historv anv but the latest revised list, which is presumed 
to be the last, best result of all the preceding years' experience. The 
Eastern Iowa Horticultural Society held its last meeting on December I'l, 
22, and 23, ISSl, at Le Grand, in Marshall county. Among the offi- 
cers elected at this meeting were two well known Iowa City pomologists, 
to-wit: H. W. Lathrop was elected secretary-, and H. Strohm treasurer. 
The fruit list as re%-ised at that time, stands now as practically the best 
varieties known for this section of countr}*, up to the present time — 
18S2. 

APPLES. 

Summer list. — Oldenburg, Benoni. Early Joe Ctop worked i. 

F'all list. — Bailev's Sweet, Dyer, Gros Pomier, Lowell, Fameuse, Utter's 
Red, Wealthy, Plumb's Cider. 

Winter list. — Jonathan, Paradise, Winter Sweet, Icwa Blush, Ben Davisi 
Willow Twig, Walbridge, Lansingburg, Robinson, Grimes' Golden, Iowa 
Russet, Flora, Bellflower. 

F'or Trial. — Constantine, Yellow Transparent, Black Annette, Shuck's 
Red June, Pewaukee, Scott's Winter, Wolf River and Magog Red 
Streak. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 361 

The following table will be useful and helpful in connection with the 
above apple list: 

Oldeiihiirg. — Medium large size: roundish oblate form; yellowish red 
color: season, September: origin, Russia: a favorite in all parts of the 
State. 

Benoni. — Medium size: roundish obtuse conical form; yellowish dark 
crimson color: season, August and September: origin, Massachusetts; is 
tree hardy on dry, light-colored soils. 

Early Joe. — Small size: obtuse conical form: yellowish red color; 
season, August and September: origin. New York. Prof. J. L. Budd, of 
our State Agricultural College, says: "It is hardy in tree, but is a slow 
grower in the nursery: the fruit has few equals for dessert." 

Bailey's S-ujeet. — i Description not known.* 

Dyer. — Medium to large size, roundish form, greenish or yellowish red 
color; season, September and October: origin, Europe. 

Gros Pc>;;//Vr.— Medium size, roundish oblate form: veUowish red 
color: season, November and December: origin, Sweden: tree p>erfect, 
fruit good for dessert if ripened in cellar. 

Lozi-cll. — Large size, roundish oblong conical form, greenish yellow 
color; season, September and October; origin, Pennsylvania i ?t 

Faiiieiise. — Medium sized, roundish oblate form, whitish red color; season, 
October and November; origin, Canada. 

Utters Red. — Medium large size, rotmdish oblate form, whitish red 
color; season, September and October: origin, lUinois; one of our best 
autumn varieties. 

Wealthy. — Medium large size; rotmdish form; yellowish-red color; 
season from October to April: origin Minnesota; a perfect iron clad. 

Plumb's Cider. — Medium large size; conical form: yellowish red color; 
season November and December. 

yonathan. — Medium small size : roundish conical form : yellowish red 
color; season November to February; origin New York; on account of its 
quality this favorite variety is on northern list for topworking. 

Paradise Wi)iier Szi'eit. — Large size: roundish form; veUowish white 
color: season December and January: origin Pennsylvania. 

loz^a Blush. — Small size: roundish conical form; whitish red color; 
season November and December; origin Iowa; tree hard}- but fruit too 
small for market. 

Ben Davis. — Medium to large size; roundish conical form: yellowish 
red color: season from December to March: origin Kentucky. 

Willozi- Tziig. — Medium large size; roimdish conical form; yellowish 
red color ; season from December to March ; origin American ; tree subject 
to blight in dark soils. 

Walhridge. — Medium size: roundish conical form; yellowish red color; 



362 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

season January and February; origin Illinois; one of our hardiest and best 
late keeping varieties. 

Lansingbm-o-. — Medium size; conical form; yellowish red color; season 
Mav; origin Ohio; is of good quality and a very late" keeper. 

Robinson. — [Description unknown.] 

Grimes'' Golden. — Medium size; roundish oblate form; greenish yellow 
color; season December and January; origin Virginia. 

Jowa Russet. — Medium size; roundish oblate form; yellowish russet 
color; season January to March; origin Russia (?); very promising. 

Flora Bellflozuer. — Prof. Budd says, "is an apple of perfect form and 
good quality, and keeps as long as Jonathan." 

Consiantine. — Prof. Budd says, "is a very valuable apple that was intro- 
duced into England from Russia, and from England to this county, and it 
would take the place of the Maiden's Blush." 

Tellozv Transparent. — Dr. T. H. Haskins of Newport, Vermont, and 
also our own Prof. Budd, vouch for it, as bemg of the same season 
(August) as Tetofsky, but earlier; medium size; clear straw yellow color. 
Is a great bearer, does not drop, and transports well for a summer apple. 
It was imported from Russia by the Department of Agriculture in 1869. 

Black Annette. — [Description unknown.] 

Shuck's Red 'June. — Small size; obtuse conical form; yellowish red 
color; season July and August; origin America; very good, but subject to 
scab. 

Pewauhee.—lyAvg^i. size; roundish oblate form; yellowish red color; sea- 
son December and January; origin Wisconsin. 

Scotfs Winter. — Dr. Haskins says, is of medium size, yellow, heavily 
striped, and sometimes covered with bright red; "hard as a rock" until 
April — sour, and only useful for cooking. Grows mellow, mild and 
aromatic in the spring. Keeps well into July when properly handled and 
stored. The tree is true "iron-clad," a profuse bearer on alternate years. 
Origin, Orleans county, Vermont, seedling. 

Wolf River. — Large size; oblate form; yellowish crimson color; season 
November and December; origin Wisconsin; promising as a strict "iron- 
clad." 

Maoog Red Streak. — Large yellow apple, with red streaks on the 
sunny side; mild rich sub-acid flavor; good keeper until April. The tree 
is hard, thrifty, and a free and early bearer. Seedling of Orleans county, 
Vermont. 

SMALL FRUITS. 

The following is the list as finally revised at the December meeting, 
1881: 

Strawberries.— V^Wson, Green Prolific, Chas. Downing^ Kentucky 
Crescent, fertilized with Downer's Prolific. On trial— Cumberland 
Triumph, Glendale, Bidwell, Endicot No. 2. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 363 

Rasfhej'ries. — Turner, Mammoth Cluster, Doolittle Improved, Ph ila- 
delphia, Greg^g. 

Grafcs. — Concord, Worden, Coe. On trial — Moore's Early, Dracut, 
Amber, Elvira. 

Currant. — Victoria, White Dutch. 

Dzvarf ywieberry.— On motion of Prof. Budd, the Dwarf Juneberry 
was added to the list of small fruits. 

Huckleberry. — J. W. Sanders: I have got huckleberry plants from 
Michigan, and from four bushes I got four quarts, and that was but half 
the crop. The plants succeed well on our prairie soil. 

The fruit lists adopted for Johnson county do not name pears, peaches, 
quinces, plums, or cherries. The reason for all these omissions is not 
apparent. But to supply in some measure these deficiencies we make 
some extracts from several personal reports on fruit matters by Johnson 
county men. 

MR. LATHROP's FRUIT REPORT. 

H. W. Lathrop, of Iowa City, made a report on the fruit crop of John- 
son county in 1S8U, and it furnishes the best summary of general results 
in this line that is attainable. He said: 

Fruits of all kinds matured early and developed to the highest degree 
their best qualities. In size, color and flavor no season on record has 
been more generous with our fruits. Early Richmond cherries in perfec- 
tion were on the market before the 10th of June. 

The Red June apple, which we have stricken from the list, was 
never larger, fairer or better than the past season. No fair brunette could 
ever show a cheek crimsoned with the beauty that adorned the cheek of 
this old discarded favorite with its entire freedom from freckles. 

As usual, the Oldenburg, Willow and Ben Davis surpassed all others 
in productiveness. 

The Jonathan, Grimes' Golden and Wealthy are varieties thaj, should be 
harvested early, and by early I mean just as soon as they attain their size 
and color., without any reference to the month or the day of the month. 

Summer and fall apples in our market sold as low as twenty cents per 
bushel, and many went to waste for want of buyers at that price. 

Many of our orchardists needed a good, cheap drying apparatus that 
would enable them to send their apples to distant markets in a dried state. 

The Miner plum that has for so long a time been the cause of fruit- 
less disappointment, this year made up for its past delinquencies by 
superabundance of fruit. In Iowa City market they sold as low as fifty 
cents per bushel. 

Grapes, which are raised in Johnson county by the ton, find a market 
in Nebraska, Minnesota, and in the western and northwestern portions of 
the State, and during the vintage the express companies are kept busy in 
their shipment. They net the vineyardists from one and one-half to four 



364 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, 

cents per pound. They have been free from rot and the depredations of 
insects the last year. Concord is the onl}- variet}'- that finds its way to 
market. All others are only raised in quantities sufficient to meet the wants 
of the grower for home consumption. 

Pears were more abundant this \'ear than usual, 3-et I know of no one 
who is raising them to any extent. The apple men on the street corners 
buy all that are offered in the market, and cannot get enough of them to 
supply their customers. 

The Snyder blackberry has been introduced to some extent and has 
given good satisfaction thus far, but in this district it has been subjected 
to no such ordeal of extreme cold as it is now passing through: nor has it 
^•et been subjected to one of our driest summers. 

Currants and gooseberries are receiving less attention than formerly, 
being crowded out by the raspberry, of which Doolittle, Mammoth Clus- 
ter and Purple Cane are the leading sorts. 

The Wilson is the standard among strawberries, but not enough are 
raised for home use, the market supply being furnished from southern 
Illinois by way of Chicago." 

In 18>«1 Mr. Lathrop reported thus: 

"The year 18S1 has not been a favorable one for fruit-growers of the 
fifth district. All our fruits, except strawberries and raspberries, were in 
very meagre quantity. It was hardly to be expected that a full crop of 
apples would immediately succeed such a bountiful one as we harvested 
in ISSO, for in that year many of our trees were so over-loaded with fruit 
that a year's rest became one of their necessities. 

The Fameuse has surpassed all other varieties in productiveness, many 
of the trees being heavily loaded. The next in order of fruitfulness were 
Grimes' Golden, Willow Twig, Maiden's Blush, Lowell and Janet. The 
price has ranged from fifty cents for summer and early fall sorts, to $1.60 
per bushel for winter varieties, and at the latter price, there are now but 
few apple9»in the market. [December 20.]" 

CYRUS Sanders' report. 

In 1858 Cyrus Sanders, of Iowa City, wrote to the fruit committee of 
the State fair, as follows: 

"I have been cultivating fruit in Iowa seventeen years, and have suc- 
ceeded best with the following sorts of the apple (all things considered): 
Early Red, Maiden's Blush, Yellow Bellflower, Red Astrachan, Daniel 
Apple, Fameuse, or Snow, Genitan, Red June, Red Stripe, Early Har- 
vest, Summer Queen, White Pippin and Vandevere, all hardy trees, good 
bearers and good truits. My orchard i^ situated on a northern slope of 
prairie, and is surrounded, except on the east, with timber, and has not 
been injured by the winters, except in 1855-G and '56-7, and then the old 
trees were most affected ; but / have not failed in a cro-p of fruit since my 
trees commenced bearing^ 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 365 

FLOWERING OF FRUIT TREES FROM 1848 TO IS 70. 







T. 


V. 






■/. 




■s. 


a 


3i 








YEARS. 


^J 


"o 


r 


cc 


y. 


% 




< 


Pea 


o 
U 


_3 

I— 1 


^j 


Qui 



1848. 

1849. 

1850 . 

1851 . 

1852. 

1853. 

1854. 

1855 . 

1856. 

1857. 

1858. 

1859. 

1860 

1861. 

1862. 

1863. 

1864. 

1865 . 

1866. 

1867, 

1868 . 

1869, 

1870 , 



Apr. 23. 
May 3 . 
May 3 . 
May 3 . 
Mav 10. 
May 4. 
Apr. 24. 
Apr. 29. 
Mav 12. 
May 12. 
MaV 4. 
jMaV 4. 
IxMav 8. 
ilNIay 1. 
I May 12. 
I MaV 3. 
LMaV 10. 
May 3 . 
May 24. 
MaV 18. 
May 10. 
May 5 . 
Mav 5. 



Apr. 16. 

May 5 . 

MaV 1 . 

MaV 1 . 

May 10. 

Apr. 30. 

Apr. 20. 

May 1 . 

May 10. 

May 8 . 

May 1. 

May 2. 

May 4. 

xApr. 25. 



May 1 , 
Mav 8 . 
MaV 1, 
May 20. 
May 18. 
Mav 7 . 



Apr. 
May 
May 
MaV 
May 
May 
Ajir. 
Mav 
May 
MaV 
May 
Apr. 
May 



18 . !Apr. 
2.1 Mav 
l.MaV 
l.;Apf. 
5. jMav 
1. MaV 



22. 
1. 
9. 
6. 
1. 



Ma^ 



iApr. 
Mav 
Apr. 
Mav 
MaV 
MaV 
Apr. 
Apr. 



Apr. 
xMav 
May 
MaV 
MaV 

30. j Apr. 
6. May 

. . . Apr. 

...iMav 

27.1 Apr. 
4. 'May 

27. MaV 
MaV 
MaV 
MaV 
MaV 



21. 

4. 

4. 
29. 

1. 

3. 
21. 
10. 
12. 

8. 
10. 
30. 

7. 
23. 

6. 



17. 

14. 

6. 

30 . 



27. Apr. 



May 

'May 

Apr. 

Mav 

May 

May 

May 

May 

May 

Apr. 

May 

30.JMay 

7 . 1 May 

l.jMay 

14. 1 May 

12.! May 

4.|May 

3. May 

25. 1 Apr. 



1. 

2. 

3. 
24. 

9. 

1. 

8. 

1. 
16. 
16. 

9. 

4. 



o. 

3. 
20. 

1. 
15. 
12 . May 10 



May 5 , 
Apr. 24. 
May 10, 
May 12, 



Mav 5 
May 8 , 
MaV 5 



May 10, 
May 17 
May 10, 
MaV 25, 



June 6, 1S67, the 

Graham township's 

Big Grove " 

Union " 

Fremont " 

Madison " 
Pleasant Valley " 

Hardin " " 

Aionroe " 
Oxford 

Scott " 

Sharon " 

Iowa City " 

Jefterson " 
Clear Creek 

Cedar " 

Liberty " 

Washington " 

Newport " 

Penn " 



LAND VALUES BY TO\VNSHIPS. 

following equalization of land per acre was made: 

av. assessed value per acre, $6.66^2 add 5 per cent. 

6.2912 add 5 per cent. 
" " " 5.64 add 5 per cent. 

" " " 5.191 as it is. 

" " " 5.901^ add 5 per cent. 

" " " 8.1514; as it is. 

'3.73>< add 20 per cent. 
" " " 4.78 J8 add 5 per cent. 

" " " 4.S7' add 5 per cent. 

" " " 8.8 Kb deduct 5 per cent. 

« " " 7.2s I > as it is. 

" 14.^4 add 10 per cent. 
" " " 6.34 as it is. 

" " " hJ^'6 add 5 per cent. 

" " " 6.56 add 5 per cent. 

" " " 7.90 deduct 10 per cent. 

" " " 6.51 deduct 5 per cent. 

" " " 8.71 deduct 20 per cent. 

" " " 7.75 deduct 10 per cent. 



366 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

June 10, 1875: The board then proceeded to the equalization of the 
assessment of the several townships as required by section 832, Code of 
1873, and it was ordered that the assessment be equalized as follows: 

Big Grove township, add 10 per cent making average per acre $9.05; 
Cedar township, remain as returned, making average per acre $9.55; 
Clear Creek township, add 10 per cent, making average per acre $9.95; 
Fremont township, remain as returned, making average per acre $10.13; 
Graham township, add S per cent, making average per acre $11.20; 
Hardin township, add 10 per cent, making average per acre $8.80; Jeflfer- 
.son township, add 10 per cent, making average per acre $7.95; Liberty 
township, add 10 per cent, making average per acre $9.35; Lincoln town- 
ship, add 15 per cent, making average per acre $11.12: Lucas township, 
remain as returned, making average per acre $20.45; Madison township, 
add 12 per cent, making average per acre $9.85; Monroe township, 
remain as returned, making average per acre $8.98; Newport township, 
remain as returned, making average per acre ^8.30; Oxford township, 
deduct 4 per cent, making average per acre $9.80; Penn township, add 4 
per cent, making average per acre $10.55; Pleasant Valley township, add 
5 per cent, making average per acre $10.08; Scott township, add 7 per 
cent, makmg av^erage per acre $11.56; Sharon township, remain as 
returned, making average per acre $11.20; Union township, add 25 per 
cent, making average per acre $9.93; Washington township, add 5 per 
cent, making average per acre $10.30 ; Coralville, corporate, add 20 per 
cent; Iowa City, corporate, remain as returned. 

THE BIRD QUESTION. 

Those farmers or horticulturists who care to, stud}' the question of 
what kinds of birds are beneficial and what kinds are crop stealers, will 
find a verv valuable report on a long series of careful experiments by Miss 
M. J. Grossman, w^hile a student in the State Agricultural College at 
Ames. Her report is published in the Transactions of the State Horticul- 
tural Societ}^ for 1881, Vol. 16, pp. 264 to 276. It is the most thorough 
work of the sort that has yet been done in Iowa, up to September 1, 1882, 
and is especiallv valuable to orchardists and small fruit grow ers, as well as 
to farmers generally. 

BEE-KEEPING IN JOHNSON COUNTY. 

From an article on his Experience with bees, written by Rev. Oscar 
Clute, of Iowa City, for the Western Stock yonrnal and Farmer^ of 
December, 1881, we quote a few passages which specially show what 
kinds of bloom occur in this region which serve for bee pasture, and their 
several seasons of blooming; and it also gives some figures of financial 
results in bee-farming: 

" 8. This year ' winter lingered long in the spring.' Great snow-banks 
were on my lawn until April 10. April 15 the bees, which for more than 
five months had been in the cellar, were set out. iVpril 17 they began to 
bring in pollen. At a single bound the weather passed from winter to 
summer. The last half of April and all of May the weather was warm 
and clear. There w^as hardly a dav on which the bees could not fly. The 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 367 

spring bloom was profuse. Willows, elms, cotton woods, boxelders, cherries, 
apoles, raspberries opened in rapid succession and gave sufficient honey 
and pollen to keep up brood-rearing- and to allow a little to be stored. 
Honey from raspberries had ceased but a short time before the earliest 
white clover was open. Soon the fields were covered with its starry car- 
pet of green and white, but it vielded honev only moderately. At no 
time during the season did it yield so largeh' as is sometimes reported. 
Linn gave an abundance of bloom and it seemed to ^^eld honey, but sev- 
eral rainv and windy davs kept the bees in the hives, and washed the 
honev from the bloom. It yielded but a moderate surplus. White clover 
continued to yield in small quantities after linn was gone, the season seem- 
ing to be prolonged by copious rains. After the middle of July the weather 
became drv, but the ground was so saturated that the clover continued to 
bloom for some time. The drv weather was severe and long-continued. 
Very little rain fell for six weeks. I had expected that there would be 
scarcely any fall bloom, and no fall honey worth mentioning. But the 
reverse w^as the case. We had a heavv flood in the Iowa river about 
July 12. The water swept evervthing before it. The bottom lands were 
cleaned of all crops and weeds. Then heartsease grew up in great pro- 
fusion. There were man}- acres of it. It began to 3-ield soon after white 
clover ceased. The flow from it was not ver}- copious, but it was steady' 
Frosts held off for full a month longer than usual, and during this added 
month the days were mostly clear and warm. 

•' 0. From the thirty colonies I increased to one hundred and forty. I 
took two thousand and five hundred pounds of honey, nearly all extracted. 
Tiie honev is selling at 1.5 cents a pound. The crop is worth $375. The 
bees are worth $S a colony, making the one hundred and ten colonies of 
increase worth $SSO: total, $1,'255. My expenses for hives, frames, foun- 
dation, paint, labor and sundries were $305, giving a net gain of $950. 
Mv bees in the spring were worth $l<.i a colony or $300 for thirty colo- 
nies. The gain has therefore been 316 per cent." 



368 HISTORV OF JOHNSON COUNTY 

CHAPTER VL— PART 1. 



Newspapers and Libraries — History of the "Iowa City Republican" — History of the "State 
Press" — Other Newspapers, etc. — History of the Masonic Library — Ot the State Uni- 
versity Library — Of the State Historical Society's Library — State Librarians, Prof. Par- 
vin and Mrs. Norlii. 

THE IOWA CITY REPUBLICAN. 

The lotva Standard was started October 23, 1840, at Bloomington, 
[now Muscatine] by Wm. Cruni and W. D. Bailey, as an organ of the 
whig party. Twenty-seven numbers of the paper were published at 
Bloomington, or till Thursday, April 2!), 1841. This number contained 
the announcement of the death of President Harrison, and had all its 
column rules turned bottomjupwards, making sorrowful black lines, indica- 
tive of the nation's deep, sad mourning. 

Mr. Crum had now become the sole proprietor, and had decided to 
move to Iowa City, and cast his fortunes with the rising young capital 
city of the newest territory. Accordingly the next number of the paper 
is called The loxua City Standard, and is dated Iowa City, I. T., Thurs- 
day, June 10, 1841. 

The press and types were hauled up from Muscatine by Ebenezer M. 
Adams, with his ox team, and the first printing office was located on Clin- 
ton street, in a building owned by Charles H. Berryhill. 

In December, 1842, the paper was enlarged to six columns, assuming 
the motto, — "Principles and Men," in opposition to the detnocratic 
creed of "Principles, not Men." In August, 1842, Mr. A. P. Wood, a 
journeyman in the office, became associated in the editorial management 
of the paper. In June, 1843, it again suspended for a few weeks, owing, 
Mr. Crum told his patrons, to the "great difficult}^ experienced in collect- 
ing means for its maintenance." 

In the presidential campaign of 1844, the Standard supported Clay and 
Freviinghuysen, the editor graciously acknowledging on November 20, 
that he was "candidly of the opinion" that Henry Clay was beaten. On 
December 26, 1844, Mr. Crum sold out his interest to Wood. Of the 
original proprietors, we lose sight of Mr. W. D. Baile}^ immediately upon 
his disposing of his interest. Mr. Williarn Crum resided in Iowa City 
until his death. 

About 1854, the late Hon. Rush Clark became temporarily the editor, 
although he was not yet twenty years of age. Mr. A. P. Wood, after 
managing the paper alone for a short time, associated with him Mr. W. 
Penn Clarke. The two continued to conduct the Standard until June 17, 
1856, when it passed into the hands of Mr. Silas Foster. Col. Wood is 
now a resident of Dubuque, and is the author of the war history of Iowa, 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 369 

in the earlier pages of this volume. Mr. W. Penn Clarke now resides in 
Washington, D. C. Mr. Foster, soon after taking charge of the paper, 
secured the services of the late General Easten Morris in an editorial 
capacity. The year 1S4S, the time of the Taylor campaign, found the 
Standard^ tinancially speaking, in a precarious condition, and sometime 
during the summer of that year, between April and July, the Standard 
was transferred to an entirely new management, and after another short 
suspension, appeared under the editorial charge of S. M. Ballard, with the 
new caption of The Republican. From Mr. Ballard's charge it passed to 
the management of Mr. H. W. Lathrop, then to Mr. John Teesdale. Mr. 
Lathrop, we believe retaining editorial management. In 1856, on June 
the 6th, The Republican first appeared in a daily edition, under the loca- 
editorship of C. W. Hobart, Esq., and was kept up about one year. 

On March 10, 1858, TJie Republican passed into the hands of Messrs. 
Jerome & Duncan. Mr. Teesdale removed to Des Moines and became edi- 
tor of the State Reoister. Mr. Lathrop retired to his farm near Iowa City, 
where he still resides an honored authority on almost all agricultural topics. 
On December 9, 1863, Messrs. Jerome & Duncan disposed of The Republi- 
can to Mr. N. H. Brainerd. In December, 1864, Mr. Brainerd associated with 
him Mr. Breitigan, who remained in part proprietorship until May 4, 1865, 
when the senior partner assumed exxlusive control. In 1870, Mr. Brain- 
erd disposed of a half interest in the paper to J. H. C. Wilson, Esq. The 
firm continued to conduct The Republican until October, 18'?4, running a 
dail}' for a short time during the campaign of 1872. During this period 
of its existence it was troubled by serious "domestic infelicities," of such 
importance that it seemed for a time that the days of the paper were num- 
bered; this result was averted, however, by the purchase, in the month 
above mentioned, of Mr. Brainerd's interest by Capt. Sam. D.Pryce, Mr. 
Brainerd retiring to private life, after a semi-public experience of eleven 
years, and a longer proprietorship of The Republican than any one previ- 
ous. It next passed into the hands of Wilson, Rogers & Shields. The 
Republican printing office, for some years, occupied rooms on Clinton 
street, in the block adjoining the St. James hotel — the same rooms where 
this book of history was written. 

On the 15th day of September, 1879, the office was purchased by a 
joint stock companv, and removed to its present eligible and commodious 
quarters on the corner of Washington and Dubuque streets. The new 
ownership was styled " The Republican Publishing Company," and con- 
sisted of Capt. S. D. Pryce, president; C. D. Close, W. R. Shields, S. J. 
Kirkwood, T. C. Carson, D. W. C. Clapp, W. A. Fry, W. H. Hubbard, 
J. E. Stuart, H. H. Seeley, W. J. Haddock. J. C. Cochran, J. C. Shrader, 
E. G. Fracker, J. C. Stoufter, E. Whitaker, S. E. Woodstock, J. E. Stew- 
art, J. A. Stevenson, J. H. Whetstone, J. H. C. Wilson, J. W. Durham, 



370 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, 

H. W. Lathrop, G. W. Marquardt, R. H. Finkbine, Dr. E. F. Clapp, D. 
A. Jones, O. A. Price, P. Shaver. 

The management of the paper was oiven to the board of directors, who 
employed a full force of workmen. The editorial management was 
entrusted to Mr. Welker Given, of Des Moines [son of Gen. Josiah Given, 
who is now circuit judge in the 5th judicial district], with Mr. I. S. Gilli- 
land, a university graduate, as city editor. For business manager, Mr. 
Wm. H. Hubbard was selected. 

Early in May, 1881, Messrs. Pryce, Wilson, Hubbard, Kirkwood and 
other stockholders disposed of their stock to H. S. Fairall. The board 
of directors was reorganized with Geo. W. Marquardt, Esq., as president. 
Mr. Fairall was chosen editor and manager of the paper, and Mr. J. F. 
Hoover superintendent of the mechanical department. It is a curious 
coincidence that Mr. H. S. Fairall, the present editor of the Republican, 
is son-in-law to Ebenezer M. Adams, the man who hauled the printing 
material of the Standard o^at up to Iowa City from Muscatine wilh his 
ox-team, in 1840. 

At the annual meeting of the stockholders in January, 1882, the follow- 
ing officers were chosen: 

President— Dr. E. F. Clapp. 

Secretary — E. E. Brainerd. 

Treasurer — Wilbur R. Shields. 

Board of "directors — E. F. Clapp, E. E. Brainerd, J. F. Hoover, and H. 
S. Fairall. 

Messrs. Fairall and Hoover were continued in their old positions, and 
Mr. Zach. Seeman was given the management of the bindery, a new and 
complete branch of the office, which had just been added. Mr. H. S. 
Kneedler was chosen city editor. In August, 1882, J. C. Cochran appears 
as treasurer, and Fred O. Newcomb as business manager. 

The office contains two large Potter cylinder presses — one for news- 
paper and one for book work; also two smaller job presses — all driven by 
steam power. The outfit of types is very complete, having cost, together 
with the machinery, it is claimed, $10,000. From this office are published 
the Republican, (daily and weekly — a state edition and a home edition of 
the latter); the Videlte-Rcporter. (weekly — the University paper); the 
Volksfreund, (weekly — German Republican paper); \.\\<t Lutheran Home, 
(monthly); the Iowa Methodist, (monthly); the Annals of Iowa, (semi- 
occasionally), the Souvenir and Annual, (yearly). 

Attached to the printing office there is also a book-bindery, provided 
with facilities for doing all kinds of work in this branch of industry. 

THE STATE PRESS. 

On December 4, 1841, was issued the first number of a democratic 
paper called the lozva Capital Reporter, edited and published by Gen. 
Verplanck Van Antwerp and Thomas Hughes. Their printing material 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 371 

was brought from Burlington, and George Paul, now [1882] a farmer, of 
Clear Creek township, was foreman of the printing office. But some 
time previous to this, Dr. Nathan Jackson had brought some printing 
material from Lafayette, Indiana, and started a Democratic paper called 
the lozva City Argus. The Whig paper called the loiva City Standard 
had been moved here from Bloomington (Muscatine) as early as May of 
this same year. Isaac V. Dennis, now a farmer in Lucas township, (west 
precinct) had been a type-setter on the Whig paper; but when the Argus 
office was "brought here he was emplo3^ed as foreman or "boss printer," 
on it. When the first session of the territorial legislature met in Iowa 
Cily (winter of 18-1-1-12) there was a red-hot contest among these three 
printing offices for the State printing. The Burlington party, or Van 
Antwerp & Hughes, of the Capital Reporter office, won the stake. This 
left Dr. Jackson and his Argus "out of a job," so to speak; and in a short 
time he sold out to the Reporter office and went back to Indiana, "unwept, 
unhonored, and unsung." 

On October 1, 1842, Gen. Van Antwerp sold his interest to the late Col. 
Jesse Williams, who became Mr. Hughes' partner. June 8, 1844, Jesse 
Williams became editor and proprietor. May 3, 1845, it was Williams & 
A. H. Palmer, and on June 25, 1845, it became the property of A. H. & 
G. D. Palmer, and on March 25, 1846, A. H. Palmer, and finally, in 1850, 
Richard H. Sylvester took editorial charge, and the Harrison boys 
became proprietors. Finally came the fated year, 1860. The democratic 
party had lost the State in 1854. It had lost Johnson count}-. The pres- 
idential campaign was on, and one fine morning the democrats woke to 
find the Reporter (owned by the Harrison bo3's) sold out to the republi- 
cans, supporting Lincoln, and Sylvester adrift. Blood was too hot to 
stand it. A meeting was held. Mr. Templin (then active in politics), 
Hon. Legrand Byington, and others, came to the fore. Mr. Byington 
declared that there should be a democratic paper here, if it took the last 
bull on Pleasant Valley farm. The republicans w^ho supported the old 
Republican were as mad at the gain of an organ as the democrats were 
at its loss. Mr. Jerome, editor of the Republican, declared that the party 
needed another organ about as much as a wagon needed five wheels. An 
office was gathered together, and located in the block south of the Uni- 
versity campus. A name was needed. Capt. F. M. Irish and others, 
foreseeing the short life of the prostituted Reporter, proposed to call the 
new sheet the True Reporter, but finall}^ Hon. Gilman Folsom suggested 
the Press. [The first number of the Press was issued August 15, I860.] 
"Hickorv Sprouts" was the name given to the company of democratic 
boys who carried camphene lamps for torches and opposed the republican 
"Wide Awakes." The first issue of the Press called out a procession of 
"Sprouts," and the procession called out orator3\ Judge Buttles made a 
speech full of wisdom and good advice, for he was an old editor. Mr. 



372 HISTORY OF johnson county. 

Templin addressed them upon many mighty parallels to the occasion in 
Greek and Roman history; Mr. Byington made a characteristic speech, 
and Mr. Fleishman closed the meeting. The apostate Reporter was 
edited by " Linkensale," [L. D. Ingersoll], who enjoyed his intrusion upon 
the respectable regularity of the old Republican^ and the vindictiveness of 
the democrats. He was a choice lampoonist, and his description of the 
"dedication" of the Press presented the "Song of the Hickory Sprout" 
thus: 

'' I come, with many a yell and shout, 

With dripping grease from my dirty snout, 

And a yard ot shirt tail sticking out, 

A roaring, rattling. Hickory Sprout." 

Poor "Link!" he looked his last on earth and sky in the Colorado 
mountains. So the kaleidoscope of politics changes in infinite combina- 
tions. The Reporter went down, soon- enough to satisfy the most revenge- 
ful democrat, and the Press struggled on. Sylvester edited it. It being 
a joint stock company, everybody that held stock felt it his privilege as 
well as his duty to volunteer friendly advise, and help to kill the paper, if 
the editor did not follow in the wake of their suggestions. Too many 
cooks always aid to spoil the broth, and so in the early days of the Press 
there were too many cooks. It changed hands often and suddenly. 

February 13, 1861, Van Hozen & Given came on deck. August 7, 1861, 
John G. Given was alone with Sylvester as editor. It seems that Richard 
H. Sylvester was always* on hand and counted on in an emergency. 
December 11, 1861, it became Williams & Given. August 22, 1863, one 
Ira C. Mitchell, in company with others, gave the people a paper full of 
genuine democratic ideas as was current with that party during the war. 
But the investment was a losing one, and the stock-owners were glad to 
have any man assume the debts of the printing office and take it. John 
P. Irish, then teaching school in Iowa City, was young, ambitious, and a 
rising oratorical star in the democratic firmament. To him they offered 
the oHice as a free gift, andhe accepted it, assuming also its debts. 

On July 6, 1864, John P. Irish became editor and proprietor of The 
State Press. He at once took rank as the "Black Knight" on the demo- 
cratic side of ever}'^ political tournament in Iowa; and wherever he thrust 
his lance it fetched blood. The political memories of Johnson county and 
the State are seamed and scarred all over with cicatrized mementoes of his 
editorial flesh knife — -sometimes justly deserved, and sometimes not, but 
always cut to the bone. [See a sketch of his life in another place.] He 
continued to edit the paper from July 6, 1864, to Sept. 6, 1882 — a period 
of over eighteen years, and which is said to be the longest continuous 
editorship of one paper that has yet occurred in Iowa. Mr. Irish com- 
menced issuing the Daily State Press on May 1, 1871, and stuck to it 
with the pluck of clear grit until April 3, 1880, when he yielded at last to 
the weary struggle and pecuniary rewardlessness of the work, and laid 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 373 

his pet daily sadly away in its little bed, where it still sleeps the sleep of 
the beloved. The weekly edition of course was continued. 

September 6, 1882, Mr. Irish sold the paper to A. J. Hershire and John 
Springer. Mr. Hershire had served the county faithfully and well, both 
as auditor and as treasurer. He has the repute of being a masterful 
party leader "on a still hunt." This is in contrast with Mr. Irish, who 
wielded the party lash with open hand, and made every crack heard from 
Iowa City to the four corners of the county line. Mr. Springer is a prac- 
tical printer, and had been connected with the office fifteen or sixteen 
years before he became joint proprietor. [No statement of machinery, 
materials or value furnished.] The lotva Cify Post (German, weekly) 
and Slovan Americky (Bohemian, weekly) are both printed in the State 
Press office. Power presses run by steam. 

John P. Irish immigrated to California, and bought the Oakland daily 
and weekly Times, a republican paper, and changed it to a democratic 
paper, and engaged in making a warm fight on the Chinese immigration 
question. 

THE COLPORTEUR. 

This was a small religious paper started in November, 1844, by the 
founders of the Snethen Seminary. The first issue of the paper said : 

"The politics of the Territory of Iowa, occupy eight or ten papers, each 
of greater size and frequency than this; in the same extent of country 
there is hitherto, we believe, no religious periodical. Is it then true, that 
our political interests are esteemed more deserving of attention than those 
of religion?" 

It does seem to have been "then true," for the paper was not sustained. 
It was published monthly at 50 cents a year in advance; no name was 
given either of editor or publisher. 

ANNALS OF IOWA. 

A quarterly magazine with this title was started in April, 1863, by the 
Iowa State Historical Society, the four numbers issued in one year (48 
pages each number) to be bound together and constitute one volume. 
Subscription 50 cents a year. This was kept up under the auspices of 
the society about fifteen years, but finall}' abandoned. It is now published 
at irregular intervals, as a private enterprise, by Rev. S. S. Howe. Printed 
at the Iowa City Re-publican office. 

THE WESTERN STOCK JOURNAL AND FARMER. 

This paper was originally started at Cedar Rapids, in May, 187?, and 
was published by the "Farmers' Publishing Co.," with W. J. Abernethey 
as editor. In September, 1873, Col. John Scott became editor; and in 
July, 1874, Alexander Charles, of Cedar Rapids, appears as editor, asso- 
ciated with Col. Scott — the latter retiring November, 1874. October, 
1875, the name of this paper was changed to the '■'■Farmers^ Stock Jour- 
24 



S74: HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

nal^'' Mr. Charles as editor, until August, 1876, when J. T. Mitchell was 
taken in as associate editor. In September, 1876, Prof. S. A. Knapp, 
editor and owner of the Fine Stock Gazette^ of Vinton, Iowa, consolidated 
his paper with the Farmers' Stock yourmil, and chant^ed the name to the 
H ester)i Stifck journal and Farmer. In January, 1877, removed to West 
Liberty, and soon thereafter Mr. Charles sold his interest to Prof. Knapp, 
and in June, 1877, returned the paper and material to Cedar Rapids. In 
May, 1878, Z. C. Luse, of Iowa City, who had been a contributor to said 
paper for several years, became president of the "Journal Publishing Com- 
pany," and associate editor, and in September, 1879, became the editor 
and business manager, the entire stock being owned by Judge Z. C. Luse 
& vSon, of Iowa City. In March, 1880, Judge Luse moved the 'Journal 
to Iowa City, and sold a half interest and organized a new company, under 
the name of the "Stock Journal Publishing Company," wath Judge Z. C. 
Luse as president, Cary R. Smith, vice-president, L. H. Jackson, secre- 
tarv, John N. Coldren, treasurer, Hon. J. P. Irish; L. H.Jackson and Z. 
C. Luse, executive committee; with Judge Z. C. Luse as editor and busi- 
ness manager, and Cary R. Smith as associate editor. In November, 
1881, Judge Luse, on account of ill health, sold his interest to the other 
stockholders and resigned his position as editor and business manager, 
and was succeeded b}^ Cary R. Smith, his associate. Soon thereafter the 
Rev. O. Clute, of Iowa City, purchased an interest and became associated 
with Mr. Smith. Editorially the yournal was ably conducted by these 
gentlemen until April, 1882, when a majority of the stockholders sold out 
to the Homestead Company, of Des Moines, to which place the paper was 
taken, and is now under the management of the Hon. B. F. Gue. 

THE VIDETTK REPORTER. 

A monthly paper called the Reporter., was started in October, 1868, as 
a representative publication by the University students. In 1873 it was 
issued part of the time semi-monthly. Each University class appointed 
one editor, and they together elected a manager. 

In the fall of 1879 another University paper (^monlhly) called the Vidette, 
was started by the Zetagathian and the Hesperian societies. After one 
year the societies declined to carr}^ it; then it was continued as a private 
enterprise, and published weekly during 1880-81, by S. B. Howard and 
A. T. Horton. 

In the fall of 1881, these two papers were merged into one, and called 
the Vidette Reporter. The first number of this new issue was dated 
September 17, 1881, and it was published weekly by a company, consist- 
ing of S. B. Howard, C. N. Hunt, F. O. Newcomb, I. B. Richman and 
A. J. Craven. 

The first number for the collegiate year 1882-83, was issued on Satur- 
day, Sept. 16, 1882. The editors were— S. B. Howard, of the class of 
1883; I. B. Richman, class of 1883; Rush C. Lake and J. T. Crischilles, 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 375 

class of 1884; C. W. Wilcox, class of 1885. The paper is printed in 
eight-page form — four columns to the page — at the Republican office; 
weekly; $1.00 per year. It is a private enterprise. 

Shvan Ainerickv, Bohemian, semi-monthly. This paper is published 
by |. B. Letovsk}^ & Son, is independent in politics, and has a circulation 
of about 2,000 throughout the State. Size of sheet 28x13. Was started 
in 1869. 

The Anti- Monopolist was a small paper published at Iowa City, by J. 
G. Schom & Co., first issue was Sept. 20, 1873, and the last issue was 
Nov. 26, 1874. It was the organ of the Anti- Monopolists of Johnson 
county. That part}- was well organized and had a full ticket in the field 
in 1873. J. G. Schom now edits the Marengo Democrat. He was born 
in Johnson county, Iowa, April 1, 1842. 

loxva City Volksfreiind, German paper, was established in 1874, and 
was edited and published by Henry Brede, until Jan. 1, 1880, when he 
died. It is now under the management of Mrs. Henry Brede. It is cir- 
culated in the cit}^ and county, having a subscription list of about 650. 
The paper is an eight column four page sheet, and is printed m the 
Republican office. It is the oldest German paper in the county. 

THE OXFORD JOURNAL. 

In the spring of 1877 a paper called the Herald was started in Oxford 
by Messrs. Witter & Holton. Mr. Holton soon afterward withdrew from 
the paper, and it was published the remainder of the year b}- G. S. Witter. 
In the spring of 1878 George Trumbo bought the subscription list and 
good will of the Herald., and about May 1st, he started the Oxford yoiir- 
nal, a weekly five-column newspaper, which was printed on a half- 
medium " Peerless " job-press. That means that his press was so small 
that he could only print one page at a time, letting one-half of the news- 
paper sheet flop outside of the press while taking the impression; and this 
required each sheet to go through the press four times before it was 
ready for deliver3^ In April, 1879, the office was purchased bv Wilson 
& Templeman, who bought new presses and new material and enlarged 
the paper to a seven-column all-printed-at-home-paper. Then, on the 1st 
of January, they further enlarged it to an eight-column folio, or 
thirty-two columns in all. About the first of March, 1881, I. M. Temple- 
man bought out his partner, J. W. Wilson, and became the sole proprie- 
tor as well as editor. The Journal is an independent republican paper, 
and has won a good name among its compeers for outspoken vigor and 
ability. It has also proved itself diHgent and enterprising as a local sheet, 
wherein lies the real home success and value of such a paper. In its 
issue of December 4, 1879, which was a six-page edition, they published 
a ver}- complete sketch of history of Oxford and its business firms. 

THE OXFORD DEMOCRAT 

was organized in December, 1880, and commenced pubHcation January 



376 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

26, 1881. Hon. L. R. Wolfe, H. Vanderlip, Joel Linkhart, and Louis 
Wao-ner were the stockholders. The local interests of the democratic 
party required that they should have a newspaper of their own, and not 
be dependent on a republican editor for all their newspaper favors. In 
September some change became necessary on account of the business 
manager of the company moving away, and accordingly, on October 1st, 
the paper and printing office passed into the hands of M. W. and G. 
Trumbo, who now conduct it. It is a seven-column weekly folio, 
devoted to democratic politics, and the local interests of its home com- 
munity. 

THE IOWA CITY POST, 

German, was started in 1881, and the first issue dates April 1, of that 
year. It is edited by Max Otto, and published by Otto & Fieseler. Size, 
22x28. The circulation is over 1,500, mostly throughout Johnson and 
adjoining counties. It is democratic in politics. Ofiice in the "Press" 
building. 

THE IOWA METHODIST, 

pubHshed monthly, by H. H. Fairall. Started in June, 1882; size, eight 
pages, 16x12. Circulation about 1,000 throughout the State. Printed at 
the Republican office. H. H. Fairall, D. D., editor; S. M. Fellows, D. D., 
associate editor. Seventy-five cents per year. 

THE SOLON REAPER. 

Solon, the "capital of the State of Big Grove," blossomed out in a 
sprightly and wide-awake newspaper of her own, on July 28, 1882. Pub- 
lished weekly by J. F. Kohler, editor and proprietor. Politics, independent. 
Subscription, $1.50 a year. Size 24x35 inches; seven columns to the 
page. 

STOCK JOURNAL. 

A publication devoted to live stock interests was published awhile at 
Iowa City, by Luse & Co., and then transferred to the Iowa Homestead 
and Western Farm yournal ofiice, (Ex-Gov. Gue's establishment), at Des 
Moines, in 1882. [No particulars furnished.] 

LIBRARIES. 

The University students are fond of calling Iowa City the Athens of 
Iowa, because of the amount of classical study going on here. It may 
also well be called the Alexandria of Iowa, because of the three great 
libraries established here, to-wit: The Masonic Grand Lodge library, 
the State University library, and the State Historical Society's library. 

THE MASONIC LIBRARY. 

First in order of time is the Masonic library, which was started in 1845, 
by Prof. T. S. Parvin, with the small beginning of t/ircc volumes — but this 
small nucleus has proved a very prolific nest-egg. The library went on 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 377 

increasing slowly, but steadily fi om year to year, and catalogues ot it have 
been published in 1849, 1854, 1858, and 1873. The Grand Lodge in 1882 
purchased for $4,000 a library said to contain 5,000 volumes — a large pro- 
portion of them having some quality of special Masonic interest. This 
was known as the Bower library, collected by R, F. Bower, of Keokuk, 
who died in May, 1882. At the time of his death he held the highest 
office known to Royal Arch Masonry in the United States. Prior to this 
accession 'the Masonic library was reckoned at 3,000 volumes. A great 
deal of the new material added consists of unbound magazines, journals, 
reports, pamphlets and monographs. And many of those as well as of 
the bound books, are duplicates of works already in the library. Hence 
Prof. Parvin only computes the library now at 5,000 volumes, besides the 
unbound matter, above referred to. It is a matter of marvel, and well 
worthy of historic note, that from the small beginning of three volumes 
which he himself donated in 1845, this work has gone on without inter- 
mission for more than thirty-seven years, entirely under the care and man- 
agement of the same faithful hand. It stands now the largest Masonic 
library in the world, and the only one listed in the reports of the National 
Bureau of Education at Washington. 

During the summer of 1882, Prof. Parvin had commodious rooms fitted 
up in the block on Clinton street next south of the Opera House, with 
shelves and cases for the proper arrangement of the whole collection, 
including the Bower addition. But before this the books had to be "piled 
in head-over-heels," for want of room. It is now in good shape — a credit 
to the Masonic order and the pet pride of its members. 

THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY. 

The first inkhng we get of there being a library here is on July 6, 1857, 
when Frederick Humphrey was elected professor of mathematics, and 
was "also appointed librarian of the University." The current expenses 
for the year ending November 1, 1857, "including appropriations for the 
library^ apparatus, and all other objects, were $8,577.91." This would 
indicate pretty strongly that the library didn't get very much money. 

In February, 1859, a committee reported that there were 484 volumes 
in the library, purchased at a cost of itJ676.81. The books were thus clas- 
sified: 

Theology 14 vols. 

Jurisprudence, government, and politics 48 " 

Science and arts 145 " 

Belles-letters . 90 " 

History 187 " 

At this time Theodore S. Parvin, then of Muscatine, was elected to be 
curator of the cabinet of natural history and librarian. He was instructed 
to have a room prepared in the Universit\^ building for the library, and 
to procure the books donated to the University by the state. 



37S HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

During the year 1S60-61, the sum ot' $600 was spent for replenishing 
the Hbrary, and it was then reported as containing 1,500 volumes. In 
December, 1861, the secretar\' of the Universit}^ board was madef.v officio 
librarian. Mav 4, 1S64, the faculty was authorized to appoint a librarian. 
In an itemized list of expenses for the year ending June 20, 1S5S, we 
find: 

Library $750 

Removing library to another room 50 

It appears that for some years the library was entrusted to some relia- 
ble student of advanced standing, but in June, 1S79, Mrs. Ada North was 
appointed librarian of the University, and still holds the office. She had 
previously served seven years as state librarian at Des Moines. During 
the summer vacation in 1882 adjustable alcove cases were put into the 
north half of the University chapel, and the general library was removed 
from the central building into the chapel building. This change gave more 
room to the law and natural science departments, which was imperatively 
needed, and it made the library more convenient and available for its own 
uses. 

The catalogue announcement of 1881-82 estimates the general library 
as now contaming about 14,000 volumes in charge of the librarian. The: 
law library is given at 2,700: the scientific library, and the two medical 
libraries ( AUopathic and Homoeopathic ), ought certainly to count up 2,000 
more, \vhich would make a total of 18,700 library volumes connected 
with the University. And the number is now rapidly increasing every 
year from State and United States, and Smithsonian publications, and 
those received from other States and countries by exchange, besides fre- 
quent purchase of new books, and the annual binding of about seventy 
American and European periodicals that are taken for the reading room. 
Twenty -five newspapers, mostl}' Iowa daihes and weeklies, are regularly 
donated by their publishers to the reading room. 

HISTORICAL SOCIETY LIBRARY. 

The State Historical Societ\- was established by act of the legislature, 
January 28, 1857. $250 were appropriated towards its Hbrary, and 55500 
per annum were allowed besides, for rent of rooms and other necessary 
current expenses. No catalogue has ever been prepared of either its 
library or its collection ot relics and curiosities. Its secretary of ten years 
ago. Dr. Huff, claimed 30,000 volumes in the library, and 20,000 speci- 
mens in the museum. But this claim is so preposterously extravagant as 
to make the whole thing ridiculous. A report published officially on De- 
cember 1, 1859, says, "our library contains about 2,000 volumes." The 
next report, which was for the two-year period ending December 1, 1861, 
says, "the shelves show an increase of about 450 volumes." The next 
report is dated December 1, 1863, and says: "Number of volumes received 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 379 

the last year, 460. Papers, pamphlets, etc., 152." Again it sa3-s: '"Whole 
number of books in the librar}-, 2,204." We also find this statement: 
"Articles for the cabinet — minerals, 14: flags, 5; portraits, 120; curiosi- 
ties of nature and art, 49; total, ISS." The last report, that of December, 
18S1, does not give any figures, but gives us a "glittering generality" in 
these words: "Our already extensive and valuable library." 

The first librarian, 18.57, was John Pattee, of Iowa Citv, afterward Colonel 
of the Seventh Iowa Cavalry Volunteers, and also State Auditor. The 
librarian in 1882 is Col. S. C. Trowbridge, of Iowa Citv : he estimates 
that there are about 1,500 volumes of bound newspaper files now in the 
librarv. The records do not show, and he would not venture a guess at 
the total number of volumes now in the library, or of specimens in the 
cabinet. This historian thinks the librarv at present contains between 
3,<'00 and 4,000 volumes, one of them dating back to the thirteenth cen- 
tur}^ and others one, two and three hundred years old. The upper rooms 
of the new iron front building on Washington, between Linn and Dubuque 
streets, erected in 18*32, were specially designed for the use of the His- 
torical Society, which had for some years occupied an old stone building 
near the corner of Burlington and Clinton streets. But reallv this librarv 
ought now to be added either to the State Universitv librar}- at Iowa City 
or else to the State library at Des Moines, so that it could be catalogued 
and properly cared for. 

STATE LIBRARIANS. 

Governor Robert Lucas was one of the pioneer settlers of this countv, 
being even a member of the historic " Land Claims Association," before 
the government had ever run a section line in the counts-. And again. 
Prof. T. S. Par\'in has been so long and favorabh' known as an honored 
citizen of Iowa City that " luck for him is luck for us." Now, here is a 
venerable document to which both of these worthy men of Johnson 
county were -particefs cri?mnis, as the law^-ers say, and hence its right to 
be here made of record: 
Robert Lucas, Governor of the Territory of lozva. — To all to zvhom 

these -presents may come, greet ins:: 

Know ye, that reposing special trust and confidence in the integrity and 
ability of T. S. Parvin. I have nominated and appointed him librarian of 
the territory aforesaid. And I do hereby authorize and empower him to 
execute and fulfill the duties of that ofiice according to law: to have and 
to hold the said ofiice, with all the rights, privileges and emoluments there- 
unto belonging, until the end of the next session of the legislative assem- 
bl}-, unless the governor of the said territory, for the time being, should 
think proper sooner to revoke and determine this commission. 

In testimon\- whereof, I have caused these letters to be made patent, and 
the great seal of the territory to be hereunto affixed. 

Given under my hand, at Burlington, the tenth dav of April, in the year 
of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirtv-nine, and of the inde- 
pendence of the United States of America the sixt}--third. 

[seal.] By the Governor, Robert Lucas. 



3S0 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

This was a State office, and of course when there was a change of 
administration there was a new set of men all around. We next find Mr. 
Parvin appointed librarian of the State University in 1859, and he at once 
began to organize order out of chaos in that small nucleus of a great 
bookery. 

Prof. Parvin seems to be a constitutional library builder, for in addition 
to the above, and also to a vast amount of labor and assistance given 
toward the library of the State Historical Society, we find that as early as 
1844 he had actually commenced with the small beginning of three books 
to establish the Masonic Grand Lodge library of Iowa. Thus for thirty- 
eight years he had steadily and faithfully worked at that favorite project, 
and now lives to see this child of his own thought and indefatigable 
industry known and recognized as the largest, finest and most complete 
Masonic Library on this continent, or indeed in the world. Thus the 
name of T. S. Parvin is indissolubly linked with the rise and progress of 
three great libraries whieh give an Alexandrian fame to Iowa City. 

The present librarian of the University, Mrs Ada North, was appointed 
State librarian at Des Moines by Gov. Samuel Merrill, Sept. 14, 1871; 
and she was re-appointed by Gov. C. C. Carpenter, May 1, 1872. On 
Nov. 1, 1875, she submitted a report to the legislature which consisted 
chiefly of a complete history of the State Library up to that time. [This 
report may be found in Vol. 1 of Iowa Documents, 1876.] When John 
H. Gear became Governor, it suited his poHtical interests to make a 
change, and Mrs. North was superseded as State librarian by Mrs. S. B. 
Maxwell, July 1, 1878. In June, 1879, Mrs. North was appointed Hbra- 
rian of the State University, and came to Iowa City at the opening of the 
session in September, since which time she has filled the place well and 
satisfactorily. Mrs. North's father. Rev. N. M. Miles of Des Moines> 
graduated at Yale College in 1831, and Princeton Theological Seminary 
in 1834. She graduated at the Ohio Female College, near Cincinnati, 
Ohio, in 1859. Her husband was secretary to Governor William M. 
Stone, 1864 to 1868, and died in 1870. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 381 

CHAPTER VL— PART 2. 

EDUCATIONAL MATTERS. 

First Schools and Colleges. — Public Schools. — Local History of the Stale University. — 
Johnson County People in other State Institutions. 

FIRST SCHOOL. 

The first school in Johnson county was established by Jesse Berry, in 
1840, in a small frame building, situated on College street, Iowa City. 
This house was still standing, in October, 1882, being then in use by J. 
B. Schofield as a rag carpet weaving house. The building is sided with 
oak clapboards which were split and shaved by David Cox, Esq., who 
now lives in Pleasant Valle}' township, on the site of the old Poweshiek 
Indian village and Gilbert's trading house. [See diagram on page 207.] 
He also made the shingles in the same way. The original floor and the 
laths were also split lumber instead of sawed. The house is only one 
story high; stands on the north side of College street between Clinton and 
Capital streets; was used for some years as sheriff's office, and for other 
public purposes; is an interesting relic and landmark of the city's early 
days; and is probably the oldest house now standing in the city. 

mechanics' ACADEMY. — [nOW, MERCY HOSPITAL.] 

In 1811 the Mechanics' Mutual Aid Association was organized by the 
mechanics of Iowa Cit}'. James M. Ball was president, and Thomas 
Combe, secretary. They applied to the Legislature for a donation of 
land on which to erect a building exclusivel}'' for school and library pur- 
poses. They were given the half block next east of the city park, where 
Mercy Hospital now stands; and in 1841 the Association erected the two- 
story brick building, which now forms the front or westward of Mercy 
Hospital. The Association failed ultimately to comply with the terms of 
the grant, and hence the property reverted to the State. In 1860 the Uni- 
versity board leased this building for a term of five years, for the use of 
the Normal department, at an annual rental of iJJSOO; but by an act of the 
General Assembly, March 26, 1866, it was donated to the University. 

When the building was erected, it was said to be the finest school 
building then in the territory of Iowa. The corner stone was laid on June 
14, 1842. There was so much public interest and enthusiasm about it 
that the occasion was made a general gala day, as will be seen from the 
following newspaper report published at the time: 

LAYING OF THE CORNER STONE OF THE MECHANICS' ACADEMY. 

"Tuesday last [June 14, 1842,] was a proud day for the members of the 
Mechanics' Mutual Aid Association of this city. Agreeably to invitation, 
the citizens assembled about 2 o'clock, in the temporary State-house, for 
the purpose of forming a procession and marching to the building, to wit- 



382 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

ness the ceremonies of laying the corner stone of the Mechanics' Academy. 
Business was suspended and all classes left their occupations, and devoted 
the afternoon to the recreations attendant upon the occasion. 

" The procession formed about -i o'clock, and after marching through the 
principal streets of the city, proceeded to the ground. At the head of the 
procession we noticed different clergymen of the city, next came the 
invited guests of the association, then the officers of the association, the 
teachers and children of the different schools, and a large concourse of cit- 
izens brought up the rear. The choir of the Methodist Protestant Church 
lent their aid in the entertainment," 

The following was the announcement of the opening of the school: 
"The trustees of the Mechanics' Academy of Iowa City beg leave to 
inform the public that they have made such arrangements as will enable 
them to open the female department of the institution on the first Monday 
of June next [1843]. The services of an accomplished lady, favorably 
known as teacher, both here and elsewhere, have been secured, and so 
long as she remains principal of the female department, parents can have 
no excuse for withholding their patronage. The academy edifice is beau- 
tifull}^ situated on the east side of the park, in the center of the city. It is 
entirely new, and the superiority of its size and style of architecture never 
fails to attract the favorable notice of strangers. Surrounded by prairie 
scenery too splendid for description, and favored by a pure and salubrious 
atmosphere, this institution enjoys advantages seldom combined. The 
trustees assure the public that every exertion will be made by the 
Mechanics' Mutual Aid Association, to render their academy the first and 
best literary institution west of the Mississippi. 

IOWA CITY COLLEGE. 

• 

This is the next in order of time. There was an "academic mania" in 
Iowa City from about 1842 to 1845, and so many crazy starts were made 
that they fizzled each other out, and all came to naught at last. The fol 
lowing official report explains itself: 

At a meeting of the board of trustees of the Iowa City College, held 
On the first Monday (3d day) of April, A. D., 1843, present. Rev. JameS 
L. Thompson, John M. Colman, Geo. B. Bowman, William C. Reagan, 
Edward K. Hart, Anson Hart, Augustus E. Mc Arthur, Curtis Bates, 
John Demoss, Leonard Jewett, Peter H. Patterson, Robert Hamilton, Jesse 
Bowen, Stephen B. Gardner, and James P. Carleton, who were all 
duly sworn in pursuance to the charter, by Fernando H. Lee, a justice of 
the peace in and for Johnson county, territory of Iowa. 

On motion of Stephen B. Gardner, the meeting was organized by 
appointing Jno. M. Colman, president fro tcin^ and James P. Carleton, 
secretary fro tern. On motion of P. H. Patterson, the meeting proceeded 
to an election of officers, Jesse Bowen and A.E. McArthur acting as tellers* 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 38^ 

On the first ballot Rev. Jas. L. Thompson was elected president; on the 
first ballot Anson Hart was elected secretary, and on the second ballot 
Augustus E. McArthur was elected treasurer. 

The officers having taken their seats, on motion, a committee was 
appointed to draft a code of by-laws for the government of the board, and 
required to report the same at the next meeting. John M. Colman, Wil- 
liam C. Reagan, James P. Carleton, Jesse Bowen and Joseph Williams 
were appointed said committee. On motion of P. H. Patterson, it was 
decided that measures be adopted to procure as soon as practicable, a 
competent professor of languages; whereupon a committee was appointed 
for that purpose, consisting of Peter H. Patterson, John M. Colman, and 
Jas. L. Thompson, with power to make arrangements with the trustees 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in this city, for suitable rooms in said 
church, for college purposes, until such time as a college edifice shall be 
erected; said committee was also authorized to solicit donations either by 
the employment of an agent, or otherwise, as they may think proper, for 
the purpose of carrying into effect the objects of the charter, and also to 
employ forthwith a male and a female teacher for the primary department 
of the college. 

A committee, consisting of Rev. B. Weed and George B. Bowman, 
was appointed to la}- before the Rock River Conference, at its next annual 
meeting, the charter of this institution, and the proceedings of the board, 
and to solicit the conference to take the institution under its patronage. 
On motion, a ten cent piece with the name of the president written across 
it was adopted as a seal for the present use of the board, and Jesse Bowen 
appointed to procure from an artist of this city, a permanent seal for the 
institution. It was oi'dered, that the secretary procure the publication in 
the papers of this city of the proceedings of this meeting, signed by the 
president and countersigned by the secretary. On motion, the board 
adjourned to meet on the last Monday in May next, at 1 o'clock P. M., at 
the office of Patterson & Carleton. 

James L. Thompson, President. 

Anson Hart, Secretary. 

SNETHEN SEMINARY. 

In 18i4 the Methodist Protestant denomination established a school at 
Iowa City with the above title. 

A religious paper, called The Col-porteur^ was commenced to be published 
at Iowa City in November, 1844, and the first number of it speaks thus of 
the " Snethen Seminary:" 

After the Rev. Mr. Talbot had contracted for the Mechanics 
Academ}^, in Iowa City, for a common school department, as well as for a 
department to qualify youth to enter upon their collegiate course of study, 
the quarterly conference in the M. P. Church of Iowa Citv, in order to 
afford to young men the facility of completing their whole course of study 
without removal,, resolved to establish a collegiate and theological 



384 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

department in their meeting-house, both stories of which were to be fitted 
up for the purpose, and occupied till other necessary buildings could be 
obtained. It was also resolved to throw the seminary, thus orf^anized, 
under the control of the annual conference. 

The conference adopted an elaborate plan of organization and manage- 
ment, providing a preparatory, a collegiate, and a theological department, 
with a specially extensive curriculum for the latter. The managers 
appointed were: 

Trustees. — William Patterson, John C. Coleman, Wm. B. Snyder, 
Thomas Snyder, treasurer; E. Metcalf, L. S. SwafTord, John Conn. 

Professors. — Nicholas Snethen, president; Wm. K. Talbot, John N. 
Coleman, Ward D. Talbot, W. B. Snyder, of sacred music. 

The same pauper contams report of $200 contiubuted for this seminary 
in small sums by members of the M. P. denomination in Illinois. But nev- 
ertheless it was a "weak sister," and never gained any very substantial 
foothold or fame as an institution of learning, and soon died out entirely. 
The M. P. denomination was a combination of Methodist doctrine with 
Congregational church polity — that is, Methodists who rejected the epis- 
copacy or government by bishops. 

INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND 

Was established at Iowa City, January 10, 1853, with Samuel Bacon as 
principal. Mr. Bacon himself was a blind man; and it is remembered 
as a remarkable circumstance that he would go alone all over the city, 
would find any store or office he wished to, and could recognize persons 
he was acquainted with by their walk, even before hearing them speak. 
The legislature appropriated $3,000 per annum for the support of this 
institute, to which was added $25 admission fee for each pupil. By the 
judicious management of Mr. Bacon, a surplus of $5,000 was deposited in 
the treasury at the time of his relinquishing the charge of the institution. 
It was removed to Vinton, Iowa, in 1862. 

Mr. Bacon afterward went to Nebra^^ka and the State blind asylum at 
Nebraska City was established under his management in 1875. The writer 
hereof has often seen him going about the streets of that city entirely 
alone, just as he used to do here. His facility in this regard was a stand- 
ing marvel to the people. 

The following additional points are of Johnson county interest. 

First Board of Trustees. — Robert Walker, of Johnson county, president; 
Geo. W. McCleary, of Johnson county, secretary; Robert Huchinson, of 
Johnson county, treasurer. Samuel Bacon, principal of the institution. 

Number of blind reported in the State in 1859, 190; number of pupils 
in the institution, 'M\. From the report of Mr. S. Bacon, superintendent, 
made to the legislature in December, 185-1, the following is taken: 

"The course of instruction and division of time is as follows: The pupils 
rise at half-past 5 o'clock a. m.; geography from 6 to 7, breakfast and 
recess from 7 to 8, arithmetic and algebra from 8 to 9, recess ten minutes, 
one hour grammar and writing, ten minutes recess, one hour instrumental 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 385 

music and reading print; from 12:30 to 2 p. m., dinner and recess; from 2 
to 5 the pupils are engaged in some kind of work, the males in the manu- 
facture of brooms, &c., the females in sewing, knitting and bead work; 
supper and recess from 5 to 7, history from 7 to 8. The younger pupils 
retire at 9, the older ones at 10 p. m. In addition to the above course, the 
pupils '■eceive instruction on the piano, and geometry is taught to a small 
class. The news of the day is read to the pupils from the various papers 
sent to the institution, gratis. The pupils evince a great interest in their 
various pursuits, and feel grateful that there is a place provided for their 
education. 

"For the support of the institution the legislature made an appropriation 
of $3,000 per annum, to which was added a charge of $25 as an admis- 
sion fee for each pupil. This sum, together with the amount realized from 
the sale of articles manufactured by the pupils, such as brooms, brushes, 
&c., proved sufficient, under the judicious management of Mr. Bacon, to 
defray all the expenses of the institution, and leave an annual surplus in 
the treasury, which amounted, at the time of Mr. Bacon's removal, to 
$5,000. Mr. Bacon is blind, having lost his sight in the eighth year of his 
age. He was educated at the Institute for the Blind, at Columbus, Ohio. 
He organized and established the Blind Asylum at Jacksonville, 111. Mr. 
B. is a ripe scholar, and as a mathematician is excelled by few. In his 
removal from the superi.. tendency of the institution, the public have sus- 
tained a great loss, and the pupils have been deprived of a most efficient 
manager and sincere friend. 

"By an act of the legislature, the institution was removed to Vinton, in 
Benton county, in the year 1862." 

DEAF AND DUMB INSTITUTE. 

The Institution for the Deaf and Dumb was established at Iowa City 
by an act of the legislature of January 24, 1855. The number of deaf 
mutes then in the State was 301; number of pupils attending the institu- 
tion, 50. The first board of trustees was composed of the following 
named gentlemen: Hon. S.J. Kirkwood, Hon. E. Sells, W. Penn Clarke, 
J. P. Wood, H. D. Downey, Wm. Crum, and W. E. Ijams, principal. On 
the resignation of Mr. Ijams in 1862, the board appointed in his stead Mr. 
Benjamin Talbot, for nine 3'ears a teacher in the Ohio Institution for the 
Deaf and Dumb, who came well recommended as a suitable person to fill 
the position. He pledged to the institution a hearty devotion to its inter- 
ests, and the most earnest efforts to secure its advancement; and right 
well has he redeemed his pledge. The number of admissions to the insti- 
tution for the year 1862-3 was 63; for the year 1863-4, the number was 
6i. The following is a list of the trustees and officers for the year 
1866-7: 

Trustees — Gov. Wm. M. Stone, ex-officio, Hon. Ed. Wright, secretary 
of state, ex-officio, Hon. D. F, Wells, superintendent of public instruction, 
ex-officio. 

Officers. — N. H. Brainerd, president; B. Talbot, ex-officio, secretary; 
Thomas J. Cox, treasurer; T. M. Banbury, M. B. Cochran, M. D., Ben- 
amin Talbot, A. M., principal. 



386 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Assistant Teachers^ etc. — Edwin Southwick, Ellen J. Israel, Conrad S. 
Zorbaugh, Henry A. Turton, Miss Lou J. Turton, Mrs. Mary B. Swan, 
matron; Mrs. Mary M. Askens, assistant matron; T. S. Mahan, M. D., 
physician. 

FIRST SCHOOL FUND APPORTIONMENT. 

March 1, lSi7, all of the townships except Monroe had made return 
of their school census — children between the a^es of 5 and 21 years — 
according to law, and received their first apportionment of school funds. 
(Naughty Monroe got none.) The following report of the county treas- 
urer shows from what sources the school fund was at that time derived: 

Am't rec'd for grocery licenses, fines, etc., in my last report $141.60 

x\m't rec'd for school tax in my former report 166.86 

Am't rec'd for grocery licenses and fines since my last report .... 80.00 
Am't rec'd for school tax since my former report 125.00 

Total $463.i6 

The record then continues: 

The whole amount of school funds as reported by the treasurer in his 
hands on the Sth day of March, 18-17, being $46:3.46, and the whole num- 
ber of children in ten townships as returned by the school inspectors in 
the township on and before the first day of March, 1847, being 1,142. 

I have proceeded on this 9th day of March, 1847, to make an appor- 
tionment of the above fund among the townships, as follows, to-wit: 

To Iowa City township, having 413 children, the sum of $170.60 

~ ~ ' ' « u a 4t go J3 

" " " " 45.86 

" " " 39.57 

" " " •' 37.61 

" " " " 24 38 

" u u cc ... 24.38 

" " " " 24.38 

" " " " 19.42 

" " " 16.53 



Big Grove 


i<. 11. 


147 


Libertv 


c( c; 


111 


Washington 


L ii. 


96 


Newport 


1. l( 


91 


Pleas'nt Valley 


U (C 


59 


Scott 


C (( 


59 


Penn 


<• <( 


59 


Clear Creek ' 


( c 


47 


Cedar 


( . (( 


40 



Whole number returned . .1122 Whole am't sch'l fund . .$463.46 

March 9, order given to Isaac Bowen, chairman of school inspec- 
tors in Scott twp., on treasurer for $ 24.38 

March 11, order given to Robert Walker of Pleasant Valley twp. 24.38 

March 31, order given to A. Gilliland of Clear Creek twp 19.42 

April 12, order given to F. Bowman of Penn twp 24.38 

May 4, order given to Wm. B. Ford of Liberty twp 45.86 

June 16, order to J. H. Stover of Iowa City twp 170.60 

Jul}' 9, order to B. Henyon, Newport twp 37 61 

Sept. IS, order to S. H. Bonham, Washington twp 39.57 

Nov. 13, order to D. W. Spurrier, Big Grove twp 60.73 

SCHOOL FUND APPORTIONMENT — 1875. 

"The following is the April apportionment of school funds for Johnson 
county, for the year 1875. This apportionment includes the collections 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 387 

of teachers, school house, contingent and special teacher's funds, for the 
quarter ending April 1, 1875, and the first semi-annual apportionment of 
the temporary fund for 1875: 



Township. Amount 

Cedar 2,200.27 

Big Grove 1,976.57 

Jefterson 1,201.06 

Monroe 1,919.66 

Oxford 2,182.08 

Hardin 860.40 

Madison 1,240.56 

Penn 988.53 

Clear Creek 1,229.52 

Newport 1,403.04 

Graham 2,403.05 

Scott 1,732.69 

Union 3,035.72 



Township. Amount 

Washington , 2,088.70 

Sharon 2,358.70 

Liberty 1,555.24 

Fremo'nt 2,392.08 

Pleasant Valley 894.67 

Lincoln I,418.b4 

Lucas 3,861.10 

Iowa City 11,696.03 

Ind. Dist. Coralville 666.22 

Ind. Dist. West Branch. 77.45 



Total $49,102.18 

LovELL Swisher, Trcisurer. 



SCHOOL FUNDS IN 1881. 

The State Auditor made in 1881 two apportionments of interest from 
the permanent school fund of the State. One of these apportionments 
was made on the 7th day of March, and the other on the 5th of Septem- 
ber. Johnson county was apportioned $4,146.40 for the year, on the 
basis of forty cents for each youth of school age, the total number of whom 
as reported was 10,366. But it seems that the amount of the State school 
interest fund only admitted of the sum of $2,208.34, being apportioned to 
Johnson county, leaving a deficiency due her of $1,938.06 for the 3'ear; 
and accordingly warrants on the revenue were drawn in her favor for this 
deficiency. 

This historian requested the countv superintendent to furnish for this 
history a statement for 1882, of total number of school children in the 
county; number, value, and location of school houses; number of teachers 
employed; average salaries; school tax levy; etc., etc. But no such state- 
ment has been received. The following statement published in 1870 is 
worth preserving here: 

In 1869, there were 136 schools, and 129 school buildings; nine of brick, 
two of stone, 115 frame, and three of logs, with an average attendance of 
6,843 pupils, and 117 teachers. In addition to this there are seven private 
schools and two colleges. The average cost of tuition per pupil was 
thirty-five cents per week, and $28,739 84 was paid for instruction in the 
county schools. Value of school buildings $112,478 00. 

THE JOHNSON COUNTY TEACHERs' ASSOCIATION. 

At the teachers' institute in August, 1880, Supt. Wilson Blaine sug- 
gested that a teachers' association of Johnson county be organized; and 
by his personal eflbrt an organization was effected. J. C. Armentrout was 



388 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

elected president; and the vice-presidents were, Miss Lydia McKray, 
Miss Tillie Dearman and Miss M. L. Slaight. Recording secretary, J. F. 
"Wicks; corresponding secretary, Ed. S. Loyd; treasurer, Miss Allie 
Hazen. 

During the first year of its organization the association held two regular 
meetings at Iowa City. Under the direction of the executive committee, 
township organizations have been formed in Union, Washington, and 
Fremont townships. The regular meetings of these associations have 
been well attended, and the teachers have responded cheerfully to the 
work assigned them by the executive committee. 

The Johnson County Teacher's Association met at the Iowa City High 
School building, Friday, August 25, 1882. The forenoon was devoted to 
literary exercises. The afternoon session closed with the election of offi- 
cers, as follows: 

President — Wilson Blaine. 

Vice-Presidents — Miss Carrie Lewis, Ima Brooks and Maggie Paulus. 

Recording Secretar}^ — Miss Nellie Clearman. 

Corresponding Secretary — Mr. Roland Sherburn. 

Treasurer — Miss Hattie Applegate. 

Executive Committee — Prof. J. C. Armentrout, Prof. Amos Hiatt, Miss 
Hattie Smith and Miss Emma Vandenburg. 



LOCAL HISTORY OF THE STATE UNIVERSITY. 

The origin and general history of the State University is given in the 
general State history which occupies the earlier pages of this volume. 
But there are many matters pertaining to the University, which are more 
especially local to Iowa City and Johnson county — and these are presented 
here. 

THE OLD CAPITOL BUILDING. 

The old capitol building, now the key-stone of the University group, 
will doubtless continue for many years to be the most important edifice in 
Johnson county. Hence, the following report on the progress of its erec- 
tion, the difficulties encountered, where building materials were procured, 
etc., is worth preserving: 

report of the superintendent of public buildings. 

Office of Superintendent of Public Buildings, ) 
lowA City, December 1, 1842. f 

To the Honorable^ the Council and the House of Representatives : 

In obedience to law, I hereby submit my annual report, as Superintend- 
ent of public buildings at Iowa City. On entering upon the duties of 
my office, I received from my predecessor tools used in the quarry, and 
for the workmen in the building; also, a set of blacksmith tools, some 
iron, and some steel; likewise, the window frames and sash for the two 
upper stories of the capitol, a portion of the timber for the roof, which was 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 389 

partly framed, some oak flooring, and some rough boards, and other tim- 
ber on and about the building. My first obiect was to consult the territo- 
rial agent, in relation to the means within his control for carrying on the 
work. I examined the old quarry, and found that the means of the oflice 
would not justify even a commencement there. I lost no time in making 
the necessary examinations, and succeeded in finding a fine bed of rock on 
the bank of the Iowa river, about ten miles northeast of the city, which 
presented a very promising appearance. Immediately, I set hands to 
work to open the quarry, and also in preparing boats for the transporta- 
tion of the rock, and on the first day of April commenced stone cutting at 
the capitol. On the commencement of the masonry, the walls of the cap- 
itol presented a very irregular appearance, varying in height about seven 
feet, the east front being to the top of the upper windows, while a part of 
the west front was but a little above the lower part of the same tier of 
windows. The east front has been carried up fi-om the lower part of the 
antcC-caps a height of eight feet, and a portion of the west front has been 
carried up fifteen feet. I succeeded in completing the south gable, but 
owing to the low stage of the river in the fall, it was impossible to trans- 
port rock down, for the north gable end, except at an increased expense, 
which would have been incompatible with the state of the funds in the 
hands of the agent. I therefore enclosed it roughly with boards. 

The whole number of cubic feet laid into the walls of the capitol, since 
the first of last April, are fifteen thousand, eight hundred and eighty-three. 
Of superficial feet of cut stone, t'our hundred and fifty-six, and of superfi- 
cial feet in moulded cut stone, or antee-caps, four hundred and eight. The 
masonry of this part of the building has been the most expensive, it being 
nearly all solid, and the face of it all cut stone. 

The roof is substantially framed, and braced with strong iron bars and 
bolts at every part where it was thought to be necessary to add to its 
strength and durability. It is covered with Alleghany pine shingles, which 
were purchased at Cincinnati. The roofs of the porticos are framed and 
extended to the front of the building, in a situation to be joined to, with 
convenience, when the porticos are ready for covering. The cornices are 
in an unfinished state. The cupola is completed to its first contraction or 
diminish, and temporaril}^ covered. 

Four rooms have been prepared, and every arrangement made for the 
accommodation and comfort of the legislature in the new edifice that has 
been in my power to make. And I mainly attribute the consummation of 
the favorable result, to the untiring energy and skillful management 
of the territorial agent in the financial department. The law defin- 
ing the duties of the Superintendent of Public Buildings, requiring him to 
keep an account of the expenditures, has to some extent been superseded 
by the act of last session, which requires the territorial agent to sell lots 
for work and materials on the capitol. I therefore refer your honorable 
body to the report of the territorial agent for an exhibit of the expendi- 
tures on the capitol for the present year. All of which is respectfully sub- 
mitted, 

W. B. Snyder, 
Superintendent of Public Buildings, 

25 



390 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, 



Stone- 
quarry. 



CHURUH STREET. 



FAIRCHILD STREET 



BLOOMINGTON STREET 



a 




zl 






Q 


■Jl 





MARKET STREET. 



I 







EXPLANATION. 

A, Central liall (the old state house, but 
now the main university building.) 

B, Library hall (old north hall). 

C, Clasgical hall (old south hall). 

D, Medical hall 

E, Armory, and art hali. 
P, Homeopathic medical department. 

0, Mercy Hospital (clinic hall). 
H, Observatory (Sidereal Hall). 

1, Professor Hinrich's central station of 
the Iowa state weather service. 

K, Unitarian church. 
L, Congregational church. 
M, Methodist Episcopal church. 
N. Catholic church. 
P-O, Post-office. 
Q. Presbyterian church. 
R, Iowa City Academy (University pre- 
paratory). 
S, St. Joseph's Institute (catholic). 
T, St. Agatha's Seminary (cathoHc). 
U, City hall (city offices, fire-engines, etc.) 
W, City High School Building. 



c« 


JEFFERSON 


STREET. 








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S 


B : 






1 1 ■■ 


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A 1 • 






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IOWA 



AVENUE. 





WASHINGTON 



STREET. 



Diagram showing the location of all buildings connected with the State University, and 
other public buildings or places in the same vicinity. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 391 

NOTES ON THE DIAGRAM. 

A. The central edifice — formerly the State Capitol — is of the Doric 
order in architecture; John F. Rague, of Springfield, Illinois, was the 
architect. It is 60 feet east and west, by 120 feet north and south, and 
two stories high above the basement, facing Iowa Avenue, which corres- 
ponds in width to its length. It is built of limestone, rough hewn, except 
the basement, facings, pilasters and gables, which are of cut stone. The 
foundation walls are six feet thick, and sunk to an average depth of six 
feet below the natural surface of the ground, and thoroughly grouted. 
Those of the basement are four feet thick, and ot the lower story three, 
and of the upper, two feet. The basement walls are capped with a water 
table of cut stone sixteen inches thick, which projects sixteen inches from 
the exterior face of the walls. The stone used is all fossil-bearing lime- 
stone of the Devonian age of geology. 

At the main entrance from the east is a portico, supported by four mas- 
sive columns, 12 feet in advance of the walls of the upper stories. The 
east and west fronts are the same in style and finish, except that the west 
portico, deemed superfluous, has not been constructed. On each of the 
fronts are eight pilasters, each four feet wide, and projecting ten inches 
from the face of the walls, with cut stone caps supporting the architrave. 
Through the centre of the first and second stories from east to west is a 
vestibule, 30 feet wide, intersected by a hall, 7 feet wide, through the 
center of the first story from north to south. On either side of the hall is 
a suite of rooms, one of which has been appropriated for the President's 
office, and the others for recitation. The entire north half of this floor 
is devoted to lecture room, laboratory, working cabinet, and working 
library of the department of natural science, under Prof. Samuel Calvin. 
The hall and vestibule are formed by interior brick walls, eighteen inches 
thick. Those of the vestibule extend to the roof, and support the base of 
the cupola. In the center of the vestibule is a flight of spiral stairs, lead- 
ing to the upper apartments. The upper story originally consisted, aside 
from the vestibule, of two large rooms, each -13 by 52 feet, the one on the 
north occupied by the Senate, and on the south by the House of Repre- 
sentatives. These have since been sub-divided and appropriated for lec- 
ture room and library of the law department; and the large northeast 
room to the cabinet or museum of natural history. 

B. Library hall, the north building, is 61x90 feet, of brick, and two 
stories above basement. The first floor is entirely occupied by the depart- 
ment of physics and chemistry, in charge of Prof. G. Hinrichs. The 
second floor was originally designed and built for a chapel, its internal 
plan being of the approved English type of church architecture, with 
elaborately ornamental stained glass windows allowing only a very '•'■dim 
religious light" within. But that foolishness was all changed in 1882, and 
this grand room now serves the triple uses of library, reading-room, and 



392 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

chapel. The general University hbrary occupies the north half of the 
room, all conveniently arranged on adjustable alcove shelves. The south 
half is the chapel and reading room, with open access to cyclopaedias, 
dictionaries, and other standard reference books. The gallery occupies 
the space over the vestibule, 13 feet deep, and is entirely occupied as a 
special librar}' and conservatory of State publications. 

C. Classical Hall, (formerly called the south building,) was erected 
under the superintendence of Thos. M. Banbury, is 45 feet east and west, 
bv lOS feet north and south, and is three stories high above the basement. 
The basement and facings are of cut stone, and the superstructure of 
brick. It was gotten up on the "cheap" order, for want of funds, and is 
a perpetual eye-sore to tastes aesthetic. Its most striking architectural 
feature is a duodecennial verbosity of chimneys. One large room is 
devoted to the department of elocution and oratory, serves also as gym- 
nasium for the lady students. The classical department, the engineering 
department, and the college society rooms, are likewise in this building. 

D. Medical Hall, 60x84 feet, four stories high, with French roof. Con- 
tains two large amphitheater lecture rooms, anotomical museum, medical 
library, professors' rooms, etc. Erected in 1882. Cost, $30,0U0. 

E. Armory, 30x40 feet, two stories; brick; French roof. The base- 
ment contains three large tubular boilers, from which all of the buildings 
grouped here in the campus are heated by steam conveyed to them sever- 
ally by underground pipes. The first floor is devoted to storage of arms, 
in-door drill, and g3aTmasium. The second floor is the drawing room or 
school of art. 

F. Homeopathic Medical Department, brick, 25x42 feet, two stories. 
Lecture room, special librar}^, offices, etc. 

G. Mercy Hospital, or "Clinic Hall." [See history of this institution 
in another place.] 

H. Observatory, or "Sidereal Hall;" brick, 26x60 feet, one high story, 
with rotunda 14 feet in diameter to give sky sweep for telescope. 

I. Prof Hinrich's residence, and the central station of the Iowa 
Weather Service. [See weather statistics, and cut of the building, in 
another part of this volume.] 

The other public buildings noted on the diagram are only such as hap- 
pened to fall within the plat which was necessary to show the relative loca- 
tion of all buildings connected with the State University. 

In 1882 a Dental department was added to the University, with a com- 
plete facult}^ and curriculum of its own. And a school of elocution and 
oratory was added to the collegiate department. 

The present working capital of the Univ^ersity is about $220,000, and 
the estimated value of its unsold lands, $15,600. In addition to this the 
University receives by law $20,000 annually from the State, and biennially 
an appropriation from the legislature for needed buildings and general 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 393 

improvements. The annual income from various sources is estimated at 

$55,000. 

PREPARATORY SCHOOLS. 

The University does no college preparatory work. This is done 
by minor institutions; and up to 1881-82, the foUowinij^ schools through- 
out the State had established an adjunct preparatory relation with the 
State University, so that their graduates will be admitted to the Univers- 
ity freshman class without further examination: 

The Public High Schools of Anamosa, Bellevue, Burlington, Cedar Falls, 
Cedar Rapids, Charles City, Clinton, Cresco, Davenport, Des Moines 
(West), Greene, Hampton, Independence, Iowa City, Keokuk, Marengo, 
Marshalltown, Mason City, Muscatine, Onawa, Oskaloosa, Tama City, 
Waterloo (East), Waterloo (West). 

OTHER INSTITUTIONS — ^PREPARATORY. 

Algona Academy, Algona, Kossuth county. 
Burlington Collegiate Institute, Burlington, Des Moines county. 
Callanan College, Des Moines, Polk county. 
Decorah Institute, Decorah, Winneshiek county. 
Denmark Academy, Denmark, Lee county. 
Garden Grove Academy. 
Griswold College, Davenport, Scott county. 
Hopkinton Collegiate Institute, Hopkinton, Delaware county. 
Iowa City Academy, Iowa City. 
Springdale Seminary. 

Washington Academy, Washington, Washington county. 
W^ilton Academy, Wilton, Muscatine county. 

The number of University preparatory schools increases every year. 
professors' salaries, students, etc. 

Name. Elected. Chair. Salary. 

Josiah L. Pickard 1878. .. .President $2,800 

N.R.Leonard 1860 Mathematics 1,615 

L. F. Parker 1870 .... Greek language 1,615 

A. N. Currier 1867 .... Latin language 1,615 

S. N. Fellows 1867 Mental and moral philosophy 1,615 

G. Hinrichs 1862 Physics 2,065 

C. A. Eggert 1864 .... Modern languages 1,615 

Susan F. "Smith 1881 English Hterature 1,615 

Samuel Calvin 1873 .... Natural Science 1,615 

P. H. Philbrick 1873 Civil Engineering 1,615 

Lewis W. Ross 1881 .... Law Department 2,300 

W. F. Peck 1870 Surgery 902 

Five additional medical professors receive same salary. 
A. C. Cowperthwaite 1877 Homeopathy 1,330 

In addition to the above, there are many minor salaries paid to the 
assistants of the various chairs, and to otiicers and employes of the Uni- 
versity, as shown by the following table: 



39i HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Collegiate department, total salaries $22,535 

Law department, total salaries 5,515 

Medical department, total salaries ... 7,015 

Homeopathic medical department, total salaries 2,232 

Officers and employes 3,500 

Total of annual salaries, 1881-82 $40,797 

In addition to this sum for salaries, there was expended in the same time, 
for supplies and incidental current expenses in the several departments the 
sum of $8,330. 

The above items, together with the fact that the University brings from 
six to seven hundred students to be fed and clothed in Iowa City every 
year, will serve to show how largely and mtimately the business welfare 
of the city and surrounding countrv are dependent on the University. 
The number of students in 1881-82 was, in — 

Collegiate department 242 

Law department 158 

Medical department • 151 

Homeopathic medical department 46 

Total 597 

During the year 1874-75 there were 623 students in the Universit}^ — 
seniors, 33; juniors, 36; sophomores, 37; freshmen, 40; sub-freshmen, 187; 
not in course, 90; law department, 106; medical department, 94. Of the 
whole number, 140 were female students. 

In the collegiate department, from 1860 to 1877 inclusive, the total num- 
ber of students was 2,994 ladies and 3,941 gentlemen. And this will show 
about the usual proportion of male and female students in this department. 
In the law and medical departments, of course the ladies are in much 
smaller proportion. 

At the opening of the fall term, 1877, there is a published record of the 
church preferences of the students, as follows: 

Episcopalian, sixteen; Christian, twenty-three; Congregational, seventy- 
five; Catholic, nine; no preference, fifty-three; Lutiieran, two; Baptist, 
thirty; Universalist, five; Presbyterian, sixty; Unitarian, one; Methodist, 
seventy-five; United Brethren, one; United Presbyterian, five. 

WHERE WERE THE BOYS? 

It is an interesting historic incident to note, that for several years of the 
great war period there were more girls than boys as students in the Uni- 
versity. But this is easily explained by the fact that the young men of 
the State were so largely drawn upon to serve in the nation's grand strug- 
gle for its life. In 1863 there were 124 of the University students serving 
as soldiers in the Union army. The following table will serve to show 
how the proportion of the sexes ran at this time: 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 395 



Year. 


Male Students. 


Female students. 


Total. 


1861 


86 


86 


172 


1862 


118 


136 


254 


1863 


101 


187 


288 


1864 


177 


255 


432 


1865 


164 


275 


439 


1867 


362 


306 


668 


1867 


370 


268 


638 



The war was over; the boys had returned from the army; the pursuits 
of peace again held sway; and from 1866 onward there were more male 
than female students, as there also had been before the war. 

TOTAL NUIVIBER OF GRADUATES. 

In 1858 there were six graduates from the University — one from the col- 
legiate department, and five from the normal department. This was the 
first year that any students received diplomas. In 1859-60-61-62 there 
were no graduates, except from the normal department, and in 1873 this 
department was discontinued. [The State Nonnal School at Cedar Falls 
not established until 1876.] 

The following table shows the total number of graduates from the dif- 
ferent departments of the State University, from the first year, 1858, up to 
June, 1882: 



Year. Normal. 


Collegiate. 


Law. 


Medical. 


Horn. Med. 


Total 


1858 to 1875.. 172 


139 


331 


93 




735 


1876 


21 


55 


22 




97 


1877 


24 


74 


33 




111 


1878 


22 


84 


19 


1 


126 


1879 


19 


100 


15 


3 


137 


1880 


45 


ni 


22 


9 


187 


1881 


32 


88 


35 


16 


171 


1882 


40 
342 


132 

975 


48 
267 


16 
45 


236 


Total 172 


1801 



LIBRARY. 

The general library was estimated, in 1881-2, to contain about 14,000 
volumes, and the special libraries of the several departments, about 2,500 
volumes — making a total of 16,500. Twenty-five newspapers, comprising 
dailies, semi-weeklies, weeklies and monthlies, are regularly donated to 
the library and reading-room. [See chapter on "Newspapers and Libra- 
ries."] 

MERCY HOSPITAL. 

June 25, 1873, Drs. J. C. Shrader and E. F. Clapp submitted to the 
count}'^ board the following: 

"1st. That through the munificence of the board of regents of the State 
University, the west half of the block in Iowa City heretofore known as 
the Mechanics' Academy, has been set apart for hospital purposes, to be 



396 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

managed by the members of the medical department of the University 
and b}'- such members of the reonJar ■profession in Iowa City as may be 
necessar}' to insure the successful operation of the same. The nursing to 
be conducted by ladies especially educated for the care of the sick and 
known as the Sisters of Mercy. 

"2d. To guarantee the successful operation of the hospital it is necessary 
that the county agree to pay for six patients per week at the rate of four dol- 
lars per week, each patient, throughout the }'ear, and at that rate per 
patient, per week sent there by the county. 

"There are in the Insane Asylum from this county quite a number of 
insane patients that could be returned to their own county for treatment. 

"From a financial and humanitarian standpoint we ask your aid in ope- 
rating this institution. 

"The pay for the six patients to begin with the opening of the hospital 
for the reception of patients. 

"Ordered, that further consideration of the subject be postponed to Sep- 
tember session." 

September 5, Drs. Shrader and Clapp again reported to the board: 

"The undersigned, representing the medical faculty of the State Uni- 
versity, and acting in behalf of the regents and the medical profession 
of Johnson county, do respectfully represent that Mercy Hospital, now in 
process of preparation for patients, will soon be completed, and ready for 
their reception, and in view of the cost of its erection and maintenance and 
the public benefit conferred thereby, we do ask of your honorable body 
that it, for the county, undertake to maintain in the same six (6) beds at 
the same rate now paid out of the public treasury for the support of 
patients in the Institution for the Insane." 

"Pending consideration of the same. Supervisor Morsman presented 
the following resolution, which was adopted: 

'■'■Resolved^ That the auditor is herby authorized to contract with the 
medical depatment of the Iowa State University for the proper care and 
maintenance ot the two insane paupers now confined in the jail of this 
county, and as many of the insane now supported by this county in the 
Insane Hospital at Mt. Pleasant, as in the opinion of the superintendent of 
said hospital may be removed from that institution without endangering 
their prospects of recovery. The price to be paid by the county shall in 
no case be more than $3.20 per week for each insane pauper, nor more 
than is charged at the time at Mt. Pleasant, which sum shall cover all 
expenses for said pauper, including board, care, nursing, medical attend- 
ance, medicines and all incidentals except clothing, which last named arti- 
cle shall be furnished by the county." 

"The county shall have the right to terminate said contract at any time, 
when, in the opinion of the board of supervisors, the paupers are not 
properly cared for." 

The citizens of Iowa City have donated freely to the fund to start 
Mercy Hospital, giving $3,9<>0. The city gave $000, and the contribu- 
tions from citizens swelled the sum to nearly $4,000. 

The hospital is under the care and supervision of the order of the Sis- 
ters of Mercy. The Medical department of the State University of Iowa 
uses a large frame building adjoining the hospital, and all medical treat- 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 397 

ment and surgical operations are given free to patients of the hospital. 
The inmates simply pay the " Sisters of Mercy " the expense of board 
and nursing. The expense of light, fuel and repairs to the hospital is 
borne by the State, and is under the control of the board of regents of 
the State University, Dr. E. F. Clapp, Dr. J. C. Shrader and Dr. C. M. 
Hobby are the physicians connected with the hospital. The average 
number of patients as near as one physician can guess, is about 900 a 
year. The hospital has a bedding capacity of forty beds, all neatly 
arranged and kept in proper order. 

Dr. W. F. Peck, of Davenport, Dean of the State University Medical 
Faculty, says " Mercy hospital is a State institution ;" and yoX when we 
sought access to its records, and had obtained consent of all other persons 
officially concerned, he thrust in some sort of a cranky objection; and lo! 
the official records of a '■'■ State institution " were locked against the fair 
and legitimate uses of history. As we understand the case, he was afraid 
that our use of the records for a " History of Johnson County " would 
make it appear to be a county institution instead of a " State institution." 

The city and county records show that Mercy Hospital was established 
by the energy of Dr. E. F. Clapp, assisted by Dr. J. C. Shrader and the 
voluntary contributions of the city and her citizens. The hospital is not 
under the control of the Catholic Church, as has been stated and generally 
believed, but under the control of the Board of Regents of the State 
University, and superintended by the order of the Sisters of Mercy, who 
are especially devoted and consecrated to the divine work of ministering 
to the sick, and watching with the dying, to soothe the last hours of mor- 
tal sut^ering with woman's tender care. 

Mother Baremeo was the first Sister in charge of the hospital. The 
Sister now in charge is Sister Mary Isadore. 

DEPARTMENTS AND DEGREES. 

The State University now comprises the following general and sub-de- 
partments: 

COLLEGIATE DEPARTMENT. 

Degrees. 

c^i 1 f T 4-^ \ Classical Course, A. B.-A. M. 

School of Letters, -j philosophical Course, B. Ph.-Ph. D. 

School of Science, \ Scientific Course, B. S.-M^ Sc. 

( Engmeenng Course, C. E. 

School of Oratory. 

Law Department, LL. B.-LL. D. 

Medical Department, M. D. 

Homeopathic Medical Department, M. D. 

Dental Department, D. D. S. 

While the Normal Department was kept up it conferred the degree of 
B. D. ; but since its discontinuance, this degree is conferred by the Col- 



398 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 



legiate Department upon those of its graduates who complete the required 
normal studies, and then pursue the vocation of teaching successfully for 
two years. 

The full sense of the degfree titles are: — 

A. B. — Bachelor of Arts. 

A. M.— Master of Arts. 

B. Ph. — Bachelor of Philosophy. 
Ph. D. — Doctor of Philosophy. 

B. Sc. — Bachelor of Science. 
M. Sc. — Master of Science. 

C. E. — Civil Engineer. 
LL. B. — Bachelor of Laws. 
LL. D. — Doctor of Laws. 
M. D. — Doctor of Medicine. 

D. D. S. — Doctor of Dental Surgery. 
B. D. — Bachelor of Didactics. 

D. D. — Doctor of Divinity. This honorary degree has been conferred 
a few times by the University upon clerg3'men who wanted it. 

M. Ph. — Master of Physics, or Physical Philosophy, is a degree con- 
ferred by some universities, but not yet here. 

After examining the above, the reader will be prepared to understand 
the titles given in the following 

COMPLETE LIST OF JOHNSON COUNTY GRADUATES. 



COLLEGIATE GRADUATES. 

The following list comprises all citizens of Johnson county who have 
graduated from the Collegiate Department of the State University, 
together with their year of graduation, their degrees received, etc.: 

1858.— Dexter Edson Smith, B. S. 

1863.— Charles E. Borland, A. B.; A. M., 1866; Nettie M. Hart, (Mrs. 
Emery), A. B.; A. M., 1865. 

1864.— Mary Parvin (Mrs. Lee), A. B.; Emma M. Hart (Mrs. Rutan), 
B. S. 

1867.— Laura C. Hutchinson (Mrs. Clark), A. B.; died 1871; Milton 
Remley, A. B.; A. M., 1872. 

1868.— Alice Remley (Mrs. Glass), B. S.; Granger W. Smith, A. B.; 
A. M., 1872. 

1869.— Howard M. Remley, A. B.; A. M„ 1873; LL. B., 1872. 

1870.— Edward M. Doe, B. S.; LL. B., 1871; Joseph C. Matthews, A. 
B.; A. M. and LL. B., 1873.; died 1876; Mary E. Myers (Mrs. Pink- 
ham), A. B.; Frank E. Nipher, B. Ph.; A. M., 1875; James P. Schell, A. 
B.; Kate F. Shepard (Mrs. Conard), A. B.: died 1876. 

1871.— Emlin McClain, B. Ph.; A. B. 1872; LL. B.; 1873, M. Ellen 
Scales, B. Ph. 

1872.— W. Bayard Craig, A. B.; Mary E. Fairall, A. B.; A M.,1876; 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 399 

Wm. Little, A. B.; B. D., 1872; LL. B., 1876; Abram E. Swisher, A. 
B.; LL. B., 1874; Frank Sweitzer, B. Ph. 

1873.— James G. Berrvhill, B. Ph.; LL. B., 1876; Lou. S. Kauffman, 
A. B.; A. M., 1876; Wr^i. Osmond, A. B.; Charles E. White, A. B.; A. 
M., 1876. 

1874.— Charles A. Bond, B. Ph.; Herbert S. Fairall, A. B.: John L. 
Griffiths, A. B.; LL. B., 1875; Euclid Sanders, B. Ph.; LL. B., 1876; 
Mary A. Terrell, B. Ph. 

1875.— Charles J. Berryhill, B. Ph.; Arthur E. Chalfant, A. B.; Charles 
A. Finkbine, B. Ph.; Charles B.Jack, A. B.; Chauncey A. Lovelace, B. 
Ph.; Theodore W. Parvin, A. B.; LL. B., 1876. 

1876. — Ossian Brainerd, A. B.; Robert W. Byington, B. Ph.; Lizzie L. 
Clark, A. B.; Emma Hughes, B. Ph.; Clara" Remley, A. B.; John P. 
Swisher, A. B.; LL. B.; Josephine V. Williams, B. Ph. 

1877.— Rav Billingsley, B. Ph.; Lewis W. Clapp, B. Ph.; M. Emma 
Rankin, B. Ph.; Ella W. Osmond, A. B. 

1878.— Albion N. Fellows, A. B.; Wm. O. Finkbine, B. Ph.; Ella V. 
Holmes, B. Ph.; Louisa E. Hughes, B. Ph.; Minnie E. Leonard, B. Ph. 

1879.— Kinzer E. Backensto, B. Ph.; Florence E. Clark, B. Ph.; Min- 
nie F. Kimball, A. B.; Ida K. Osmond, A. B.; Harriet J. Parker, A. B. 

1880.~Frank Bond, B. S.; Fred Bond, B. S.; Frank P. Buerckle, Jr., 
C. E.; Otto A. Byington, B. Ph.; Hattie J. Dennis, A. B.; Olin S. Fel- 
lows, A. B.; Lucy F. Hine, B. Ph.; Charles N.Hunt, B. Ph.; Sophy 
Hutchinson, B. Ph.; James A. Moon, B. Ph.; Frederic A. Remley, A. B.; 
A. Dean Robinson, C. E.; Charles C. Shrader, A. B.; Lulu Younkin, B. 
Ph. 

1881.- Henrv F. Arnold, A. B.; Lucy Bixby, A. B.; Charles C. Clark, 

A. B.; Minnie F. Clarke, A. B.; Sallie C. Ham, A. B.; Isaac B. Henyon, 

B. Ph.; Charles R. Leonard, B. Ph.; Elizabeth Lewis, A. B.; Chauncey 
J. Neill, A. B. 

1882.- Henry H. Abrams, A. B.; Fanny E. Blazier, B. Ph.; Herbert 
E. Blazier, C. E.; Julia Cavanagh, B. Ph.; James B. Congdon, A. B.; 
Emma W. Gillespie, A. B.; Grace R. Hebard, B. S.; Florence M. Hass, 

B. Ph.; Carrie W. Hutchinson, B. Ph.; George L. Leslie, B. S.; Adelaide 

C. Lloyd, A. B.; Carrie P. McCrory, B. Ph.; Alice V. Wilkinson, B. Ph.; 
Lorenzo D. Younkin, A. B. 

LAW GRADUATES. 

The following list shows all citizens of Johnson county^ who have grad- 
uated from the law department of the State University, receiving the 
degree of LL. B. 

Classof i86Q—V^m. E. Crum, Josiah W. Davis, (died 1870.) 

Class of i8yo — George W. Ball. 

Class of i8ji — Edward M. Doe, Cyrus Ranck. 

Class of i8j2 — George W! Hand, James Hoxie (died 1875), Howard 
M. Remley. 

Class of i8yj — Charles A. Berger, James W. Cone, Wm. F. Conklin, 
Joe A. Edwards, Emlin McClain, Joseph C. Matthews (died 1876), Joseph 
W. Scott. 

Class of 18^^ — Corwin M. Lee, Herman Morsman, Abraham E. 
Swisher. 

Class of i8j5 — John L. Griffiths, Mrs. Mary Emily Haddock Johnson 
Guy. 



400 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Before proceedincr further with the list of Johnson count}' graduates, 
an episode of history must be here noted, which forms an historic way- 
mark in the progress of "the woman element" toward its rightful recogni- 
tion and influence in the public affairs of State and nation. Prior to Jan- 
uary, 1876, three women, to-wit: Mrs. J. Ellen Foster, of Clinton, Mrs. 
Anna C. Savery, of Des Moines, and Mrs. Mary Emily Haddock, of Iowa 
City, had been formally admitted to practice as attorneys in all the courts 
of Iowa, the State supreme court included. But no women had yet been 
admitted to practice law in any of the Federal or United States courts in 
all our broad domain. And it remained for the State of Iowa, the county 
of Johnson, the cit}'^ of Iowa City, the law department of the Iowa State 
University, the law class of 187.5, and Mrs. Mary E. Haddock, to carry 
the honor of being the first lady attorney ever admitted to the rights and 
privileges of a practitioner at the bar of a Federal or United States court. 
Mrs. Haddock's certificate reads as follows: 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ] 

United States Circuit Court — District of Iowa, f 

CERTIFICATE OF ADMISSION. 

Be it remembered, That heretofore, to-wit: At a term of the Circuit 
Court of the United States for the district of Iowa, begun and holden at 
the city of Des Moines, in said district, the Hon. John F. Dillon, Judge of 
said court, presiding, on the twelfth day of October, in the year of our 
Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, Emma Haddock 
having made application to practice law in the Circuit Court of the United 
States, district of Iowa, and it appearing to the court, the applicant 
possesses the requisite qualifications, and also having taken an oath to 
demean herself as attorney, etcetera, of this court, uprightly and according 
to law, and to support the constitution of the United States, was admitted 
an attorney, counselor, solicitor, advocate and proctor of this court. 

I, Edward R. Mason, clerk of the United States Cir- 
cuit Court aforesaid, do hereby certify that the fore- 

, '' ^ J^oing is a true transcript of the record of said court. 

( gr?:at seal ) In witness whereof, I hereto set my hand and annex 

I OF THE >- the seal of said court at office in the city of Des 
( COURT. ) Moines, the twent3--first day of January, A. D. 1876, 

'^ — ■ Y ' and in the one hundredth year of the Independence of 

the United States of America. 

EDWARD R. MASON, 
Clerk, C. C. U. S. D.^ Iowa. 
The next day after Mrs. Haddock's admission, the Des Moines corres- 
pondent of the Chicago Tribune (L. F. Andrews, Esq., a graduate in the 
law class of 1866, and who was for some years secretary of the State 
Board of Health) wrote concerning the historic event, and his article was 
widely republished in New York and elsewhere. From it we quote a 
passage: 

Yesterday (Oct. 12, 1875,) Mrs. Haddock was admitted to practice in 
the United States Circuit and District Courts of this State — the prst case 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 401 

of the kind in any State of the Union. She is the wife of Judge Had- 
dock, and a woman of fine culture, who graduated at the hiw department 
of the State University with high honors. She is highly esteemed also 
for her many womanly virtues. With Judge Dillon, reared as he was 
under Iowa progressive ideas, it was easy to grant the boon and welcome 
woman into a new field of labor; with Judge Love, an old Jacksonian 
Democrat, with all the name implies, it was quite a step in advance to 
welcome to the bar of his court (the United States District) a woman as 
an attorney. But the judge is a man of eminent pratical good sense, wise 
enough to accept the inevitable with good grace and becoming dignity. 

Class of i8j6. — James G. Berryhill, Frank A. Charles, Robert Lucas, 
William Lytle, Theodore W. Parvin, Euclid Sanders, John P. Swisher. 

Class of iSjj. — Robert W. Byington, George B. DeSellem, Charles A. 
Finkbine, Francis R. Gaynor, George B. Haddock; Edward K. Lucas, 
Mary A. Terrill, Wm. M. Younkin. 

Class of 1878. — Lewis W. Clapp, Charles B. Jack, Chauncey A. Love- 
lace, Thomas Mattison, Harrison D. Rowe, James M. Scott, Charles E. 
White. 

Class of i8yg. — Ray Billingsley, 'Frank J. Horak, John H . Rahret, 
James W. Smith. 

Class of 1880.— \N. O. Finkbine, Wm. C. Hutchins, John P. Marling, 
Wm. F. Murphy. 

Class of i88i.'-Wm. H. Bailey, Otto A. Byington, Leander C. Dennis^ 
Joseph W. Linkhart, Charles A. Rogers, Wesley R. Rutan, Horace L. 
Wood. 

Class of 1882. — John W. Brooks, J. M. Curry, S. S. Gillespie, Frederick 
S. Hebard, Isaac B. Henyan, Charles N. Hunt, Wm. Kennedy, Charles 
R. Leonard, James A. Moon, Francis O'Connor, Wilson T. Reed, Sylva- 
nus Webster, James A. Wintermute. 

MEDICAL GRADUATES. 

[Allopathic.'] 
This department was organized in June, 1S6*J, but did not go into active 
operation until October 6, 1870. The following list comprises those persons 
who have graduated from this department, receiving its degree of M. D., 
who were citizens of Johnson county., but no others: 

1871.— Nathan H. Tulloss. 

1872. Joseph W. Davis, Anna A. Shepard. 

1873. — ^John W. Hempstead, Jane A. Preston, Thomas R. Ward, James 
A. White. 

1874.— Elizabeth Hess, Channing B. Kimball, Manly B. Moon, Ezra H. 
Shafler. 

1875.— S. J. Bridenstine. 

1876. — Azuba D. King, Albert Morsman, Frank A. Xanten. 

1877. — Harry T. Lanning. 

1878. — Henry S. Havighorst, Thomas F. Kelleher, Samuel S. Lytle. 

1879. — F. E. Seymour, J. T. Brenneman. 

1880.— W. J. Saunders. 

1881.— J. R. Cozine, J. K. Milbourne, W. J. Vogt. 

1882.— L. J. Leech, T. E. Records, H. J. Rankin, F. H. Smith, H. A. 
Wheeler. 



402 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

{Homeopath ic.~] 

At the June meeting, 1872, of the board of regents of the University a 
committee of Homeopathic physicians presented their formal request for 
the estaMshment of a Homeopathic department of medical instruction in 
the University. The matter was urged and discussed both in public and 
private for about four years, when b\^ an act of the legislature approved 
March 17, '76, the regents were directed to establish a Department of Home- 
opathy in connection with the Medical Department of the University. Two 
chairs were to be established, and the sum of $1,100 was appropriated for 
their support. Drs. A. C. Cowperthwaite, of Nebraska City, Neb., and 
W. H. Dickinson, of Des Moines, Iowa, were elected to fill the chairs of 
Materia Medica and Theory and Practice. This department opened in 
1877; and the following are the on\y citizens of yohnson county who have 
up to this time graduated from this department, receiving the University 
degree of M. D.: 

1880— W. G. Emonds. 

1881 — Susan S. Pearse, George Poland. 

1882— Flora S. Gleason. 

JOHNSON county's REPRESENTATIVES IN THE STATE INSTITUTIONS. 

This historian sent blanks to all of the State elemosynary, educational 
and penal institutions, requesting in each case a complete list of all persons 
who had ever been inmates from Johnson county. Some answered 
promptly, with full list as desired; some formally refused us the informa- 
tion; and some never made any answer. 

We present here following the reports received: 

lowA College for the Blind, 

Vinton, Iowa, 'July is, 1882. 
H. A. Reid, Iowa City, lozva: 

Dear Sir: — The records of this institution show the names of the 
following persons from Johnson county: 

1. James A. Gilliland was admitted April 4, 1853, and was discharged 
June 5, 18G0. He was born in Pennsylvania, and at the time of his dis- 
charge lived in Iowa City. Cause of blindness, accident. At the time of 
admission had been blind three years. 

2. Rhoda Bo wen was admitted July 26, 1855, and was discharged May, 
1856. She was born in Ohio. At the time of her discharge she lived in 
Iowa City. Cause of blindness, inflammation. At the time of admission, 
had been blind twenty-four years. 

3. Henry D. Ilollenbeck was admitted May 26, 1856. Was not dis- 
charged. He was born in Johnson count}-. He now lives in Marion, 
Iowa. Cause of blindness, inflammation. He has been blind from infancy. 

4. Lucy Hempstead was admitted April 30, 18G0. She was never 
discharged. She was born in Ohio. Did live in Iowa City. Cause of 
blindneoS— inflammation. At time of admission she had been blind two 
years. 

5. Caroline Durham was admitted March 13, 1862. Was not dis- 
charged. She was born in New York City. Did live in Iowa City. 
Cause of blindness — inflammation. Was partially blind. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 403 

6. May Agnes Beveling was admitted March 22, 1866. Did live in 
Iowa City. She was not discharged. She was born in New York State 
Cause of blindness — cataract. At time of admission she had been blind 
eight years. 

7. Nicholas H. Boyce was admitted Sept. 7, 1866. Was not discharged. 
He was born in New York State. Did Hve in Springdale, Iowa, Cause 
of blindness — inflammation. At time of admission had been blind one year. 

8. Sarah Ann Hyler was admitted Sept. 23, 1868. Was not dis- 
charged. She was born in Iowa, and did live in Johnson county. Cause 
of blindness — inflammation. At time of admission she had been blind three 
years. 

9. James H. Poland was admitted August 31, 1868. Wa'^ not dis- 
charged. He was born in Ohio. Lived in Iowa City. Cause of blind- 
ness, scarlet fever, At time of admission he had been blind five years. 

10. Mary E. Rucket was admitted October 1,1869. Was not dis- 
charged. She was born in Iowa. Lived at Danforth, Johnson county. 
Cause of bUndness, typhoid fever. At time of admission she had been 
blind eleven years. 

11. Anna E. Hyler was admitted October 31, 1872. Was not dis- 
charged. She was born in Iowa. Did live in Palestine, Johnson county. 
Cause of blindness, inflammation. At time of admission she had been blind 
two years. 

12. Samuel Kauffman was admitted January, 1877. He was not dis- 
charged. He was born in Washington county, Iowa. Now lives at 
Wyandotte, Kansas. Cause of blindness, cataract. At time of admis- 
sion he had been blind three years. 

13. John Larkin was admitted April 12, 1882. He is now in the insti- 
tution. He was born in Ireland. Lives in Iowa City. Cause of blind- 
ness, sympathetic opthalmia. He has been Wind two years. 

14. Samuel T. Mansfield was admitted February 20, 1882. He is now 
in the institution. He was born in Maryland. Lives in Iowa City. Cause 
of blindness, pistol shot.* He has been bUnd six months. 

Very truly yours, Thomas F. McCune, Principal. 

*By his own hand; attempted suicide — Historian. 



404 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 



full list of pupils from johnson county, iowa, who have attended 
the deaf and dumb institute. 

Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, 
Council Bluffs, Iowa, Aug. 9, 1882. 



Name. 



Sarah McGuire .... 

Elizabeth Huinmer. 

Juliana Hauk 

Dennis A. Dewey. . 

James Kemp 

Elias Workman .... 
Anthony Yeggy. . . 

John Skiles 

Isabella Boon 

Julia A. Wheeler. . . 
W. B. Williams .... 

John S. Hope 

Levi Keppart 

John C. Hummer. . . 
Joshua B. Nicholson 

Julia Donahue 

Katie Daley 

Mary Kasmeyer. . . 
Newton Anderson . . 
William J. Corning. 
William A.Nelson. . 

Emil Schottle 

Joseph Fox 

James Fox 

James G. Stoddard. 



Cause of being Deaf, 



Fever at 2 years of age 

Congenital fever 

Unknown 

Erysipelas 

Not stated 



Jan. 
Jan. 
Jan. 
an. 
Jan. 
Jan. 



Congenital fever 

Scarlet fever 

Fall when '6 yrs. old. . 
Sick when 15 mos. old . 
Dropsy of the head . . . 

Congenital fever 

Inflammation of brain 

Scarlet fever 

Unknown 

Congenital fever 

Fever when 2 yrs, old 

Rheumatic fever 

Scarlet fever 

Brain fever 

Speech defective onl}^ 

(( (( <c 

Scarlet fever 



When admitted. Left school 



1, 1855., 
1, 1855., 
1, 1855., 
1, 1855. , 
1, 1855., 
3, 1855., 
Jan. 1, 1855., 
Jan. 1, 1855., 
Oct. 15, 1880, 

1855, 

1855, 



Died in 



March 7, 1 880 . 
Sept. 3, 1858.. 
Sept. — 1858. . 
Dec. 24, 1859.. 
March — , 1860 
Jan. 20, 1882. .. 
Sept. 24, 1862.. 
Nov. 16,1863.. 
Sept. 22, 1864.. 
Sept. 17, 1868. 
Sept. 18, 1868. 
Sept. 16, 1873. 
Nov. IS, 1873. 
Nov. 16, 1875. 



Staid 1 



Staid 1 



Staid 1 



1862 
1861 
1855 
1861 

1855 
1856 
1862 
1856 
1881 
1862 
year 
1881 
1866 
,1865 
1865 
,1866 
year 
1864 
1869 
, 1867 
1875 
1877 
1878 
year 



Staid 2 years 



A. Rogers, Superintendent. 

H. M. Bassett, acting superintendent of Hospital for the Insane, at 
Mount Pleasant, refused to furnish the statistics; he thought they ought 
not to be published. 

E. W. Stanton, secretary of the State Agricultural College at Ames, in 
Story county, reports only one person ever graduated there, from Johnson 
county, to-wit: Winfield S. Collins, of Solon, in class of 1876. 

J. C. Gilchrist, principal of the State Normal School, at Cedar Falls, 
reports only one graduate from Johnson county, Miss Eleanor Kraigor, in 
class of 1881. 

The list of Johnson county graduates from the different departments of 
the State University will be found with the local history of the University, 
given in another place. 

From the Reform Schools at Eldora and Mitchellville, the Soldiers' 
Orphans' Home at Davenport, and the Asylum for Feeble Minded Chil- 
dren at Glenwood, we failed to get any response. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 



405 



IOWA STATE PENITENTIORY, FORT MADISON. 

List of prisoners received from Johnson county, from September 16, 
1852, to Jul}^ 12, 18S2: 



Regis'dl 
Mo. I 



NAME. 



CRIME, 



Dale 
Received. 



Date 
Discharged. 



26 

61 

65 

66 

61 

6S 

148 

149 

170 

171 

210 

315 

330 

3f.9 

450 

478 

479 

498 

512 

577 

763 

764 

829 

997 

998 

999 

1064 

1069 

1360 

1455 

1664 

1665 

2833 

2867 

2950 

2951 

3099 

3283 



William Pearce. . . 
William Conlifl\. 
Elisha B. Freeman 
Christian Genseke 
Geo, W. Woodruff 
Pleasant Fonts. . . . 

iVlvin Lovit 

James Barrett. . . . 
Moses Lafterty . . . 
Edwin Kerrick. . . 
George Stark .... 
William Goodey . . 

I Nathan Hendricks 

-N alias 

( Hend'ksTovvnsend 
Wm. A. Carney. . . . 
Champion Vaughn.. 

James Bailey 

Nelson G. Whiting.. 

Oscar Goodwin 

Elkanah S. Tanner. . 

Isaac Wright 

George Sleider. . . .j. 

Peter Kramer 

Herbert Shaw 

James A. Burton . . . 

Levi Graham 

Geo. H. Thomas... . 
George H. Moffit. . . 
Wm. Hockenberry. . 

Walter Russell 

David J. Von Wil. .. 

William Witt 

L. W. Thompson . . . 
John Thompson. . . . 

John Yost 

Frank Peach 

John Dibal 

William Bradley .... 
Charles Neft' 



Larceny .... 
do .... 
Seduction . . . 
Larceny. . . 
do ... 

Murder 2d d 
P's'gc'f'tm'y 

do 

do 
Larceny . . . 
G'd Larceny 
Larceny . . . 
Having coun 
terfeit mon- 

«y 

Larceny .... 

do .... 

do .... 
Countej-f't'ng 
Adultery. . . 
Lerceny . . . 

do .... 
do 2 in'dict's . 
do2in'dict's. 
Larceny. . . 

do .... 

do .... 

do .... 

do .... 

do .... 
Manslaugh'r 
Robbery . . . 
Larceny. . . 
Forgery .... 
Burglary. . . 
Larceny . . . 
Burglar}'. . . 

do .... 
Larceny . . . 

do .... 



Sept. 16, '52.. 

June 16, '54. 

Nov. 6, '54.. 

Nov. 8, " . . 

Nov. 8, " . . , 

Jan. 15, '55. . 

March 19, '58 
(( .( 

June 30, '58 . . 

Feb. 11, '59.. 

April 28, '60 . 



July 31, '60. , 

Jan. 22, '61 . , 
March 16, '63, 
Nov. 3, '63 . . , 



Mav 26, '64. 
Nov. 4, '64. . 
Nov. 3, '65.. 
Nov. 9, '67 . . 

May 26, '68 . . 
Oct^. 31, '69.. 



May 16, 70.. 
June 6, '70.. 
Mav 28, '72., 
Jan. 22, '73 . . 
Jan. 28, '74.. 

Feb. 4, '78 . . . 
Feb. 4, '79... 
June 26, '79. 



Jan. 23, '80 
Feb. 5, '81 . , 



Sept. 15, '53, 
May 3, '59 . , 



May 21, '60, 
May 19, '59. 
Oct. 11, '61. 



July 5, '61 



Nov. 6, '62.. 
Nov. 17, '64. 
Nov. 3, '68 . 
Nov. 16, '66. 



Jan. 8, '67. . 
Nov. 2, '67 . . 
Sept. 28, '68, 

s 

Feb. "26V'7o". 
June 15, '72. 



Feb. 

11 


16, 


'72.... 


Nov 

12 


11, 


'72.. . 


13 



July 10, '74. 

May 4, '82 . , 
April 29, '79. 
Feb. 25, '80.. 

Oct. 10, '81.. 
Oct. 3, '81 . . . 



Remarks: — 1 Pardoned November 2, '55. 2 Pardoned Aug. 12, '57. 3 Escaped. 4 
Died June 27, '75. 5 Order Supreme Court, Nov. 3, '59. 6 ditto. 7 Pardoned August 2, 
'60. 8 Pardoned April 14, '71. 9 Pardoned January 21, '68. 10 Pardoned December 32, 
'71. 11 Pardoned December 23, '72. 12 Sent to Anamosa Ma^' 13, '73. 13 Pardoned July 
34, '74. 

At present [July 12, 1882] there is not a single prisoner from Johnson 

county in this institution. Hiel Hale, Deputy Warden. 

26 



406 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 



ANAMOSA ADDITIONAL PENITENTIARY\ 

List of prisoners received from Johnson county, from January 22, 1873, 
to July 15, 1882: 



NAME. 


CRIME COMMITTED. 


DATE RECEIVED. 


DATE DISCHARGED. 


D.J. VanWie.... 

Arch}^ Shearier . . 


Robbery 

Grand Larceny . . 


January 22, '73 

" '75 


April 1, '79 

Pard.June 13, '76. 


Joseph Shearier . 


(( (( 




(( C( 


" Oct. 11, '77.. 


John H. Shelly... 
Thos. McNamer . 








CC ii H C( 

a a (( a 


Jos. Brown 


11 11 




13, '76 


Nov. 23, '76 


Robt. Palm 


Larceny 




a (( 


" 16, '77 


Chas. Smith 


Forgery 


Tulv 


13, '76. .. 


Oct. 6, '76 


William DiUey. . . 

Frank Allen 

J. D. McMahan. . 

John Thompson. . 


Murder 1st deg. . . 
Grand Larceny . . 
Forfirerx' 


Feb. 


6, '77 ... . 


Life 


July 

(( 

Feb. 


5, '77 .... 

it (( 

4, '78 


Aug. 2, '77 

ii ii C( 


Burglary 


Trans, to Ft. Mad., 
January 11, '79 . . . 


A. Keeler 


Burglary & Larc'y 


July 


2, '78 ... . 


March 18, '80 


Wm. Keeler 


(( (( 


it, 


(( (( 


May 12, '79 


Chas. Thomas. . . 


C( (C 


a 


3, '80 .... 


Died, Aug. 21, '81. 


Patrick Murphy.. 
Georfxe Walker. . 


ii il 

Burglary 

Assault with int't 
to commit murder 




(( a 




il C( 




Gertie Walker. . . 


(( (( 




W. B. Rising.... 


<;( c( 


March 14, '82 


Wm. J. Burns .... 
John Proctor 


Larceny 

Assault with int't 
to commit murder 


June 


6, '82 . . . 




a (c 









This is a correct 



list; those not marked discharg 
Yours Respectfully, 

A. E 



ed are here yet. 
Martin, Warden. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 407 



CHAPTER VI.— PART ?,. 

THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION. 

The very first gubernatorial message ever promulgated in Iowa was 
strongly and decisively a temperance document. This was the message 
w^hich Gov. Lucas delivered at the opening of the first loxva Legislature 
ever convened, and occurred at Burlington, on Monday, the 12th day of 
November, 1838. In this document the Governor said: 

We frequently see the most disastrous consequences proceed h^om prac- 
tices, that in some places are considered as only fashionable vices — namely, 
gambling and intemperance. These two vices may be considered the 
fountains from which almost every other crime proceeds, as the statistical 
reports of man}' of the penite,ntiaries conclusively show. Thev have pro- 
duced more murders, robberies, and individual distress, than all other 
crimes put together: this is evident, when we consider the many thousands 
that annually destroy themselves, and bring their families to beggary and 
wretchedness, by pursuing these vices: for surely there can be no murder 
of a deeper moral dye than self murder; and no robbery of a more heinous 
character than the robbery of our own f.mniilies. Could you in your wis- 
dom devise ways and means to check the progress of gambling and 
intemperance in this territory, you will perform an act that would immor- 
talize yovu- names and entitle you to the gratitude of posterity. 

In this as in many other particulars. Gov. Lucas clearl}- laid down the 
true and righteous principles of government, which afterward became 
embodied in constitutional and statute laws of the State, once with the 
voice of Johnson county concurring (1855), and once with its strong 
majority against the measure (1883). As he was an honored and beloved 
citizen of Johnson county, it was proper in this history to note, as done 
above, how clearl}^ he discerned and forecast the higher levels of Christian 
statesmanship which were yet to be climbed up to, if this land fulfilled its 
mission in the divine economy of States. 

THE TEMPERANCE CAUSE. 

On June 1, 1842, there was a Washingtonian temperance meeting in the 
Methodist Protestant Church. Judge Williams and Dr. Reynolds, were 
the speakers. John Horner was secretary of the organization. The 
Iowa city band furnished music for the occasion . 

At a meeting of the Total Abstinence Society, held at Iowa City, on the 
14th of September, 1842, the following preamble and resoluiion was 
unanimouslv adopted: 

Resolved, that the secretarv of this society be authorized and directed 
to enter into a correspondence with the temperance societies in the princi- 
pal places in this territory, in order to ascertam from them what they can 
do in aid of a subscription for maintaining a permanent temperance mis- 
sionary for the territory of Iowa; and that the Washingtonian society is 
respectfully requested to join in such correspondence. 



408 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

The same meeting adopted a resolution reciting that a report had been 
put in circulation that their temperance missionary, Mr. Z. Washburn, 
when he was attending court in Iowa City in June preceding "got so drunk 
that he had to be taken out of the city and laid under a shade tree till he 
got sober;" and then they — 

Resolved, that the said report is a malicious falsehood, and deserves the 
condemnation of all good men. 

April 1, 1843, a report is made by Wm. Foster and J. M. Price, that Z. 
Washburn had been lecturing in their neighborhood, and ninet3^-six had 
signed the pledge. 

A " CHURCH AND STATE " SCARE. 

Dr. Jesse Bowen was known as the "invisible" editor of the Whig paper 
called the Standard, and so when anything appeared in that paper which 
its opponents wanted to pitch into, it was attributed to hien, no matter 
whether he had ever seen it before it was printed or not. Along in 1842, 
1843, there was considerable agitation of the temperance question going 
on, and the Standard cv\\.\c\&Gd pretty severely the methods and theories of 
some of the agitators; whereupon a writer in the Capital Reporter replied 
to him thus: 

The fears of the doctor that an union of Church and State are r.bout to 
take place in the territory of Iowa, are so visionary and absurd in this 
enlightened age, that it seems to me when he gives them his second sober 
thought, that he will dismiss them from his mind as the dreams of a disor- 
dered intellect. 

This will serve to show something of the temper and quality of the 
temperance controversy in Johnson county at that time. 

SONS OF TEMPERANCE. 

October 7, 1847, there was instituted at Iowa City, "Far West Division 
No. 4 of the Sons of Temperance." The charter members were W. 
Penn Clarke, James Robinson, Wm. McCormick, H. D. Downey, James 
Harlan, Silas Foster and S. C. Trowbridge. The instituting officer was 
T. S. Battell, of Muscatine, acting as Deputy Grand Worth}' Patriarch. 

The pledge was: "No brother shall make, buy, sell or use as a bever- 
age, any spirituous or malt liquors, wine or cider." 

The meeting for organization was held in the old capitol building, now 
the main building of the State University. The organization lingered 
along ten or twelve years, but never quite got up to the Iowa level on 
the woman question. This order never admitted women to membership 
except permissibly on local option for a year or so, and then forbade it 
again- -though finally a sort of crinoline degree or "complimentary side- 
show" was fixed up to bridge over the women question. But it was not a 
success. Then the order of Good Templars sprang up, giving women full 
equality in its councils, and it eventually superseded the order of "Sons" 
entirely. The following list from the old roll of membership of "Far 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 409 

West Division" shows some historic names, all in their own handwriting, 
and shows who mustered in the order during its lifetime in Iowa City: 

William Patterson, deceased; J. D. W. xMarsh, moved away ; Wm. Penn 
Clarke, now in Washington, D. C; Anson Hart, deceased; James Robin- 
son, deceased; Henry Murray, M. D., died; Wm. McCormick, M. D., 
Grass Valle}-, Cal.; Edward Redhead, moved away: James Clark, head 
chief of Temple of Honor order; Jos. T. Fales, first Stateauditor, died; H. 
D. Downey, banker, died; G. D. Palmer, editor, out west; James Harlan. 
ex-U. S. Senator; Thomas Snyder, died; Geo. S. Hampton, ex-clerk 
supreme court, died; Silas Fozter, died; S. C. Trowbridge, Curator State 
Historical Society; I. Crummey, died; Jno. M. Colman, died; Peter Mori- 
arty, ex-Slate printer, deceased; C. C. Catlett, deceased; James Franklin, 
deceased; M. T. Patterson, in Cahfornia: Henr}^ Ward, moved away; 
Nelson King, ex-member legislature; Anthony Cole, deceased; B. P. 
Moore, deceased; M. J. Morsman, M. D., still in Iowa City; A. W. Sweet, 
moved away; Robt. M. Secrest, deceased; Oliver J. Phelps, deceased; J. 
C. Nobles, moved away; Charles Cartwright, still in Iowa City; Charles 
Pirmey, moved away; Israel Fisher, moved away; Chauncey Swan, 
deceased; Sylvanus Johnson, still lives at Iowa City; S. Magill, still in 
Iowa City; Alcinus Young, deceased; Anthony F. Thompson, moved 
away; Abraham C. Price, M. D., moved away; W. A. Henry, deceased; 
Samuel McCord, deceased; Dean E. Reynolds, moved away; Joseph H. 
Fisher, moved away; John L. Gordon, moved to Missouri; John }. San- 
ders, M. D., deceased; Samuel M. Coleman, moved away; W. S. Street, 
deceased; Lewis S. Swaftord, still here; Samuel J. Hess, still here; Wm. 
Hamilton, deceased; O. J. McCormick, moved away; Charles Gaymon, 
still here; Isaac V. Dennis, still here; D wight C. Dewey, M. D., moved 
away; R. Hutchinson, still here; S. R. Price, moved away. 

James Robinson was the Worthy Patriarch of the Iowa City Division, 
who represented it when the grand division of the State was organized, 
Nov. 25, 1847. 

CADETS OF TEMPERANCE. 

Early in 1882 the brother editors of the lozva State Register at Des 
Moines, expressed pride and satisfaction that they had belonged to the 
order of Cadets of Temperance in their boyhood, and asked other ex- 
cadets of Iowa to report the fact. And for several months thereafter it 
was quite ip fashion for men who had formerly belonged lo this " toga 
virilis " temperance order to have the fact published in that " boss news- 
paper of the capital city." 

In 1849 or '50, J. M. Coleman, James Harlan, S. C. Trowbridge and 
Joseph T. Fales, procured a charter and organized a section of Cadets of 
Temperance in Iowa City. This organization was for boys between the 
ages of fourteen and eighteen years, and none others were admitted. It 
was entirely under the fostering care of the order of Sons of Temper- 
ance, and its members on becoming eighteen years old passed into the 
order of Sons by special privilege. The boys elected all their own offi- 
cers, the highest of whom was called Worthy Archon; but they must 
also have present some authorized member of the Sons to represent the 



410 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

paternal and patriarchial guardianship of that order, and to see that the 
business was properly conducted by the boys. 

The Cadets took the same pledge of total abstinence which the Sons 
did, and also an additional pledge not to use tobacco in any form. Their 
meetings were held up stairs in what was then the Mechanics' Institute, 
but is now known as the Mercy Hospital, or hospital of the medical 
department of the State University. As nearly as can now be learned, 
from eight}' to one hundred boys united with this order during its exist- 
ence in Iowa City. Judge Coleman was its Worthy Patriarch most of 
the time. Some of the boys who are remembered as having belonged to 
the Cadets here have since tilled places of honor and trust. W. P. Hep- 
burn, now member of congress from the eighth district, was at one time 
Worthy Archon of the Cadets. A. B. Walker was afterwards an officer 
in the deaf mute asylum at Council Bluffs. Two of Colonel Henderson's 
sons belonged, one of whom is now judge of the district court at Mar- 
shalltown; and the other one was Colonel of the Forty-fourth Iowa 
Infantry (100 day service) in 1864. He is now a Methodist presiding 
elder in the Upper Iowa Conference. 

GOOD TEMPLARS. 

Rescue Lodoc No. 1^4, I. O. G. T., w^as organized on Tuesday 
evening, February 14. 1865, by the Grand Worthy Secretary, J. Norwood 
Clark. The first officers were: E. Metcalf, W. C. T.; Frances Clark, 
W. V. T.; A. B. Walker, W. R. S.; Amanda Calkin, W. T.; E. F. 
Brown, W. M.; B. H. Wilde, W. F. S.; Melissa J. Haddock, W. I. G.; 
T. McGillin, W.O. G.; Wm. Dow, W. C; Olive Metcalf, R. H. S.; 
Sarah Dow, L. H. S.: N. Adams, P. W. C. T. J. B. Haddock, Lodge 
Deputy. Meetings held on Friday evenings. Iniiiation fee, $1 for men, 
and oO cents for women. 

There was another Lodge of Good Templars, called Ragan Lodge No. 
15, and the following otEcers were elected in February, 1865: J. D. 
Bowersock, W. C. T. ; Mary Berger, W. V. T.; George Lewis, W. R. 
S.; R. L. Dunlap, W. F. S.;"' J. N. Clark, W. T.; G. R. Betz, W. M.; 
Athenias Bishop, W. I. G.; J. N. TempHn, W. O. G. No other particu- 
lars were obtained of this lodge. 

VOTE ON LIQUOR PROHIBITION IN 1855. 

For some mysterious and unexplained reason there is no mention what- 
ever of this vote, nor any record made of returns upon it, in the county 
records for the year 1855. The county business was then running under 
the one-man rule, or county judge system of administration. F. H. Lee 
was then the county judge. On Monday, April 2, 1855, an election was 
held throughout the State on a question of prohibitory legislation. In 
Johnson county at the same election there was a vote also taken on the 
question of restraining sheep, goats and hogs, from running at large — or 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 411 

as it was termed, the " Hog Law ;" and also on a question of whether the 
county should establish a county poor house and farm. The liquor law, 
hog law, and poor house were all voted upon at the same time. F. H. 
Lee, county judge, with Malcolm Murray and P. H. Barns, two justices 
of the peace, constituted the county canvassing board. They made full 
entry of the vote on the hog law and the poor house, but no mention 
whatever of the vote on the prohibitory law. However, this historian, 
with the assistance of the county auditor, A. Medowell, Esq., succeeded 
in finding the original tally sheets of each township on that election, and 
from them the following return of that unrecorded vote has been accu- 
rately compiled: 

Name of Township. . ■^''' ^t' Ag^^^st the 

^ Liquor Law Liquor Law 

Iowa City 417 178 

Big Grove 56 4-5 

Cedar 32 7 

Jefferson 28 4 

Monroe 31 10 

Penn 84 15 

Scott 52 1 

Clear Creek 37 21 

Washington 56 46 

Union 22 25 

Liberty 19 48 

Pleasant Valley 41 54 

Newport 58 35 

Total 933 484 

Majority in favor of the prohibitory liquor law, 449. 

At this time there was no such office as county clerk. Samuel Hess 
was clerk of the district court, and F. H. Lee county judge. 

The vote throughout the State on the prohibition question at the same 
time (1855) stood thus: For the prohibitory law, 25,555; against the pro- 
hibitory law, 22,645; majority in the State in favor of the law, 2,910. 

On the 25th day of December, 1856, Geo. W. Eastman, agent to sell 
liquor in Iowa City, came before the count}' board, and resigned said 
appointment; and thereupon it was ordered that said resignation be 
received and said agency be suppressed. Said agent made settlement and 
paid into the county treasury the sum of $400, the amount in his hands, 
and was thereupon discharged. 

Among the matters of curious and legitimate history in regard to the 
temperance question and the prohibitory liquor law in Johnson county, is 
the following unique and racy public document, which was published in 
the Iowa City Press, April 11, 1866: 

PROCLAMATION. 

Whereas, The selling of intoxicating liquors is against the laws, the 
constitution and institutions of the State of Iowa, and, 



412 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Whereas, The federal and city licenses do not protect our constitu- 
tional and personal ri<^hts, and, 

Whereas, The most of the Rez'creiidissini? atijiie aiiiplisinii c\*i\-gymtn 
of Iowa Cit}', blessed by true and faithful Christianity, philanthropy and 
infalibiHty, did call us at their temperance meeting last September, pirates, 
murderers, serpents, poisoners, dealers of firebrands, arrows etc., and, 

Whereas, The most potent N. H. Brainerd, epitor, and leader of the 
Republican party, pronounced in his most excellent and edif3'in^ journal, 
that we keep the chambers of death and spates of hell; that we are pour- 
ing out the streams of damnation and death, and, 

Whereas, In order to show to our distinguished lawyers that we, as 
common men, are martyrs to the indistinctness of the U. S. Laws: • 

Therefore, we do hereby solemnly PROCLAIM and declare that on 
and after the 12th day of April, 1866, we will refrain from selling intoxi- 
cating liquors under an}- name, and will sell only beer, cider and Iowa 
wine: that we will keep first-class eating-houses, and it will be our pleas- 
ure to see old and new friends, to whom we are much obliged for their 
patronage, hoping they will keep our humble places in remembrance. 

Done in Iowa City, this 11th day of April, in the lS66th year of Grace 
and the 11th of the Maine Liquor Law. 

Jno B. Seykora, John Xanten, 

Leonhardt Etzel, G. P. Burckle, 

Leo Muchenberger, F. Voekringer, 

Zimmerman & Co. 

prohibitory constitutional amendment — 1882, 

In deference to the growing temperance sentiment throughout the 
State, and the popular demand for some more effective way of repressing 
the liquor traffic thah was afforded by the various and confused statutes 
on the subject, the Eighteenth General Assembl}'- (winter of 1870-80), and 
again, the Nineteenth General Assembly (winter of 1881-2), submitted to 
the people, at a special election, on June 27, 1882, a prohibitory amend- 
ment to the State constitution. There were then published in Johnson 
county the following weekly newspapers: Stale Press, lozva City Repub- 
lican {&iS\.y ■And. weekly), /tiifrt City Post {(jQxva2iw\ Voiksyreuml [Gtrman)^ 
Slovan-Ameriky (Bohemian), the Oxford Democrat, and the Oxford 
youriial. (The Solon Reaper was not started until July 28, a month after 
the election.) All of these papers, except the Oxford fournal, were anti- 
amendment organs. The following was the result of the vote in the 
county : 

official canvass 

of the votes cast at the special election, June 27, 1882, in Johnson count}^ 
Iowa, on the proposition to amend the constitution of the State. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 413 

Nameoftwps Total For the Against the 

aud precincts. votes cast. amendment. amendment. 

Cedar 138 62 76 

Big Grove 235 86 149 

Jefferson 137 39 98 

Monroe 155 13 142 

Oxford 290 139 151 

Hardin 122 36 86 

Madison 102 65 37 

Penn 107 To 32 

Clear Creek 114 57 57 

Newport 125 24 101 

Graham 154 70 84 

Scott 160 126 34 

Union 131 64 67 

Washington 170 83 87 

Sharon 164 60 104 

Liberty 99 7 92 

Fremont 225 125 100 

Pleasant Valley 109 67 42 

Lincoln "! 122 45 77 

Lucas, East 89 34 55 

Lucas, West 127 82 45 

Iowa City, North 699 158 • 541 

Iowa City, South 604 253 351 

Total 4378 1770 2608 

Majority in Johnson county against the" amendment, 838. The exact 
form of the amendment, and the result throughout the State are set forth 
in the following 

PROCLAMATION. 

State of Iowa. By the Governor. A proclamation declaring the result 

of the special election held on June 27, 1882: 

Whereas, The eighteenth and nineteenth general assemblies of the 
State of Iowa, did in due form and according to the provisions of the con- 
stitution, agree to add, as section 26, to article 1, of the constitution, an 
amendment in the words following, to- wit: 

"Section 26. No person shall manufacture for sale, or sell or keep for 
sale, as a beverage, any intoxicating liquors whatever, including ale, wine 
and beer. The general assembly shall bylaw prescribe regulations for the 
enforcement of the prohibition herein contained, and shall thereby provide 
suitable penalties for the violation of the provisions hereof." And, 

Whereas, Proclamation was made and said amendment was submitted 
to a vote of the electors of the State at a special election held throughout 
the State in pursuance of law, on Tuesday, the 27th day of June, 1882; 
and 

Whereas, The official canvass of the result of said election, as made 
by the executive council, acting as a State board of canvassers, shows 
155,436 votes for the adoption of the amendment and 125,677 votes against, 
leaving a majority of 29,759 votes for the adoption of the amendment. 

Now, therefore, I, Buren R. Sherman, Governor of the State of Iowa, 
by virtue of the authority vested in me by law, and in the name of the 



414 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

people of Iowa, do hereby proclaim that the aforesaid amendment is 
adopted and is a true and valid part of the constitution of the State of 
Iowa; whereof all persons will take due notice, and fjovern themselves 
accordingly. 

BuREN R. Sherman. 
Attest. J. A. T. Hull, Secretary of State. 

The vote in this, the Fifth Congressional District, stood: For the 
amendment, 16,587; against the amendment, 13,408; majorit}^ for the 
amendment in this district, 3,179. 

A DRUGGIST DECLARATION. 

To the Public: 

The conditions, restrictions, and penelties of the liquor and pharmacy 
laws are so onerous and severe that we, the druggists of Iowa City and 
vicinity, having due regard for our honor and financial safety, feel that 
w^e dare not avail ourselv^es of the laws' exemption. We therefore have 
adopted the following resolution to go into effect as soon as published. 

Resolved, That hereafter we will sell no alcoholic liquors of any kind 
for any purpose whatever. 

Adopted by the Johnson County Pharmaceutical Association Julv 1(>, 
1882.' 

M.J. Moon, M. W. Davis, 

W. E. Shrader, T. J. RiGG, 

E. A. Doty, J, H. Whetstone, 

H. A. Robinson. Wm. A. Morrison, 

W. H. Borrner & Son, 
Ihe Womaii^s Christian Temperance Unron, was instituted by Mrs. J. 
Ellen Foster: date of charter January, 1875. The first officers were: 
President, Mrs. H. S. Osmond; Secretar}', Miss Fanny White; Treasurer, 
Mrs. N. H. Brainerd. Present officers are: President, Mrs. S. N. Fel- 
lows; Secretary, Mrs. A. C. Hinman; Treasurer, Mrs. N. H. Brainerd. 
The membership is twenty-five. Miss Frances E. Willard, Mrs. J. Ellen 
Foster, Mrs. A. M. Palmer, Mrs. M. J. Aldrich, Mrs. Hunt and Mrs. 
Washington, have lectured before the Union. Successful work has been 
done in the spread of temperance literature, instruction of the children in 
the Band of Hope, enforcing the temperance law, especially at count}- fairs; 
and in personal effort to reform the inebriate. 

anti-prohibition league. 
Rev. C. Compton Burnett promised to prepare for this history a sketch 
of the organization at Iowa City of the State Anti-Prohibition League, 
which grew out of the labors of himself and Hon. John P. Irish against 
the prohibitory constitutional amendment, early in 1S82. But he has 
failed to furnish the sketch, and depending on him, we did not collect data 
to present the matter. 

The vote of the state June 27, 1882, on the prohibition question gives the 
following points of historic interest: The total vote of the state was 281, 381^ 
and the majority in favor of the amendment was 29,759. The total vote 
is Vo^llh greater than that cast for governor in 1881, and 41,287 smaller 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 415 

than the vote cast at the presidential election in 1880. There were 45 
counties that gave majorities for the amendment, 23 counties against it, 
and one, Van Buren county, which was a tie. Polk county gave the 
largest majority for the amendment, 2,111, and Dubuque the largest 
against, 5,(»e]0. Audubon gave the smallest majority for, 28, and Davis 
the smallest against, J. 



CHAPTER VI. -PART 4. 



MEDICAL AND MISCELLANEOUS. 
Medical History — County Physicians, Medical Societies, etc. 

Miscellaneous — Notes in 1840-41 — Trowbridge's County History — The Gov. Lucas Home- 
stead — Ex-Gov. Kirk wood as Road Supervisor — Jim Hamilton's "Gunpowder Plot" — 
A Benevolent Crank — Confusion of Names — Bible Society. 

THE FIRST COUNTY PHYSICIAN. 

The following proceedings of the county board, October 9, 1841, wil 
be both amusing and interesting, at least to medical gentlemen: 

It having been mude known to the physicians of Iowa Cit}' that pro- 
posals would be received on this day by the board of commissioners on 
what terms the medical attendance on all paupers should be given for one 
year, by either physician for one year, and furnish their own medicines, on 
this day, to-wit: October 9, at 3 o'clock P. M., the following proposals 
were received to-wit: 

To the honorable hoard of county commissioners of yohnson county, lozva 
territory : 

Gentlemen : I, in accordance to your wishes, as physician for all the 
paupers of Johnson county, Iowa territory, do hereby obligate myself to 
attend professionally, and furnish all necessary medicines for them, for the 
sum of seventy-five dollars annually. 

Yours, gentlemen, with respect, 

Henry Murray, M. D." 
Iowa City, October g, 184.1. 

To the honorable board of county commissioners, of fohnson county : 

We whose names are hereunto subscribed (physicians of Johnson county), 
make a joint application for rendering medical services to, and medicines 
to the paupers of this county, from this date to the 1st of October, 
1842, under the direction of the board of county commissioners or their 
agent, for the sum of twenty-five dollars each. 

Jesse Bowen. 

Ezra Bliss . 

S. iM. Ballard. 

These proposals being in effect of equal amounts, it was motioned by 
Mr. Parrott, one of the board, "Shall we select from the proposals which 
shall be accepted?" Mr. Cavanagh and Mr. Clark were opposed to the 
acceptance of either proposal as they now stand. Mr. Parrott votes for 



416 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

selecting, and Mr. Cavanagh objects because the word each was added 
to the last recorded proposal after the same was delivered and opened by 
the board, so Mr. Parrott's motion was lost. 

Mr. Cavanagh then motions that the services mentioned in the afore- 
said recorded proposals be let to the lowest bidding physician or physi- 
cians, which motion was agreed to by Mr. Clark and dissented from by 
Mr. Parrott. So the motion of Mr. Cavanagh was carried, and the same 
beincT set up at public outcry. Dr. Henry Murray, being the lowest bid- 
der, at the sum of six dollars, became the physician as employed by the 
board according to the proposals and the actions on them aforesaid. 

THE COUNTY PHYSICIAN PROBLEM AGAIN. 

October 6, 1842, the county board appointed Doctors Murray and Bliss 
to be county physicians, to furnish all medicines themselves for pauper 
patients, make out their separate bills, and at the end of the year the 
county board would allow them a pro rata compensation out of a total 
fund of $100 for the whole year. October 8th Dr. H. Murray wrote a 
note to the board, emphatically saying, " I will have nothing to do with 
the partnership affair of doctors for the paupers of Johnson county." 

It seems that Dr. Bliss went on acting under the " partnership affair," 
but somehow or other tilings did not go smoothly, for on January (i, 18+3, 
the following further proceedings were had on the pauper doctor diffi- 
culty: 

The object of this meeting being at this time to take into consideration 
the propriety of letting out medical attendance to paupers for one year 
from the October term of this board, 1842, to the lowest bidder. One of 
the physicians appomted at that time having refused to accept the 
appointment. 

On consideration of the premises, it is ordered that the order made on 
yesterday on this subject, be expunged from the record. 

And it is also ordered that Dr. Ezra Bliss be allowed the sum of thirty- 
seven dollars and fifty cents in full compensation for his medical services 
to paupers since the October session, 1842, and that order and contract 
entered and made at that time, be mutuall}^ and is hereby rescinded. 

And now, on this day, to-wit, January 6, 1843, it is ordered and agreed 
on the part of the conimissioners, that the sum of one hundred dollars 
shall be appropriated out of the county treasury, for the payment of 
physicians for their medical attendance and services rendered to paupers 
in this county for one year from this date. It is understood by the board 
that sick paupers shall have their choice of physicians in this county, and 
that the sum above named shall be paid to the physicians so employed, in 
proportion to actual services rendered by them respectively, and it is 
further understood that each physician shall furnish his own medicine, and 
present the bills to be adjusted at the January term of this board in the 
year 1844. 

That expression by the board, " that sick \^^\\y^^x?-, shall have their choice 
of physicians in this county," seems to have been a direct resentment of 
the assumption of the allopathic class or school of doctors that they alone 
were "regular" and entitled to public recognition as physicians. Whether 
they wanted an allopathic, a homeopathic, a botanic or an eclectic doctor, 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 417 

they might take their choice; the count}- board would treat all schools of 
doctors as on the same footing. 

physicians' bills. 

The following from county record of Januar}'^ 7, 1856, will be interest- 
ing to the doctors: 

Ordered, that Dr. L. M. Ballard be allowed sixty-five dollars for his 
medical bill to paupers since January 1, 1845. 

Ordered, that Dr. Ezra Bliss be allowed seven dollars for his medical 
bill to paupers since January, 1845. 

Ordered, that Dr. S. R. Crummey be allowed his medical bill to pau- 
pers since January, 1845. 

There being twelve dollars not yet appropriated and Dr. Murray's bill 
of ^'20 not being satisfactory to this board, and $6 of Dr. Crummey 's bill 
being also unsatisfactor}- it is ordered, that if Dr. Murray and Dr. Crum- 
mey shall hereafter establish their bills as being properl}^ chargeable to 
the paupers, that the said sum of twelve dollars shall be allowed and 
divided in proper proportion between them. 

The county seems to have had a good deal of trouble with its pauper 
doctor business. January 7, 1847, this record appears: 

Dr. Henry Murra}^ presented his medical bill for services rendered by 
Murray, McCormick and Swan to paupers during 1846, amounting to 
$47.00; which being investigated by the board, it is ordered, that the said 
Murray, McCormick and Swan, be allowed the sum of $38.50 on said 
bill out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated. 

Dr. Enos Metcalf presents his bill for medical services to paupers in 
1846, amounting to $'25.00; which being full}^ investigated by the board, 
it is ordered, that he be allowed fifteen dollars on said bill, provided, that 
the amount of the taxes due this county by him, shall be paid the treasurer 
of this county out of"the above amount of fifteen dollars. 

medical societies. 

The first mention found of a medical organization was a notice dated 
May 10, 1843, and pubhshed in the Iowa City papers, stating that "the 
adjourned meeting of the Iowa Medical Society will be held on Monday, 
the 5th day of June next, in Iowa City." It is signed "by order of the 
president; Ezra Bliss, secretary." Dr. BHss was then of the firm of Bal- 
lard & Bliss, physicians and surgeons. 

The next record found in this line was the following: 

BOTANIC MEDICAL MEETINGS. 

At a meeting of the friends of the botanic medical practice, in Iowa 
City, on the 3d of June, 1843, a society was organized to be known by 
the name of the "Medical Botanic Society of Johnson county, Iowa terri- 
tory," and the following officers were chosen for the year ensuing, viz: — 
James Robinson, Esq., president; B. S. Holmes, vice president; J. A. Mil- 
ler, recording secretary; J. N. Ball, corresponding secretary. Censors, E. 
Metcalf, J. L. Frost, Rev. Wm. Patterson, S. H. Bonham, Esq., and J. 
Heberson . 

The published report at the time says: 

An address was delivered by Dr. Metcalf, in which it was clearly 



418 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

demonstrated that the present state of thinj^s call loudly for a r'eforni in 
the practice of medicine — that such reform has been introduced; and not- 
withstanding it has waded through an opposition paralleled only by that 
arrayed against the Christian religion, yet it begins to stand forth pre- 
eminent, wearing a wreath of truth and reason, and bearing in triumph 
the laurels of victory, until it has overcome the prejudices of more than 
three and a half miUions of the inhatyitants of these United States: and 
that it only needs an investigation to be adopted bv every candid, thinking 
mind. On motion, 

Resolved^ that the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the presi- 
dent and secretary, and published in both the papers printed in this cit}-. 
On motion, 

Resolved^ that this meeting adjourn to the first Saturday in July next, 
at one o'clock p. m. All friends of the botonic practice are respectfully 
invited to attend. A public address may be expected in the evening at 
half past seven o'clock. 

James Robinson, President. 

J. A. Miller, Secretary. 

The sanguine expectations of these "reformers" have not been met; yet 
their views and "resolves" make a part of the medical history of the 
county, and as such have a rightful place here. 

On Friday evening, Ma}' 17, iSfjT, a meeting was held, at which the 
following was adopted: 

Resolved., That the Johnson County Medical Society (a quorum of 
whose members is now here present), which was organized on the 27th of 
May, 185t), and the last meeting of which, as appears from the minutes now 
before us, was held December 31, 1859, is hereby re-organized and revived 
by this meeting. 

The medical gentlemen reported present at this re-t)rganization meeting 
were: Drs. Sanford W. Huff, Frederick Lloyd, T. S. Mahan, A. C. 
Moon, Henry Murray, J. C. Shrader, J. H. Ealy, Wm. Ott. 

On May 25 another meeting was held, and the following officers elected: 
President, Dr. Huff; vice-president. Dr. Ealy; secretar}^ Dr. Lloyd; 
treasurer, Dr. Ott; librarian. Dr. Mahan; committee on ethics and admis- 
sions, Drs. Henry Murray, J. C. Shrader, and J. J. Sanders. 

Drs. C. A. White and O. Heinsins, of Iowa City; David Stewart, of 
North Liberty, and F. C. Stewart, of Solon, were made members. Dur- 
ing the remainder of that year, 1807, some very good meetings were held, 
valuable reports made and discussions had. Dr. White was the State 
Geologist. Dr. Shrader seems to have been the leading surgeon at that 
time. 

Drs. George Mitchell, M. J. Morsman, C. C. McGovern, Robert M. 
Paddock and Wm. Vogt, of Iowa City, were afterward members. The 
society continued to exist under the above name with var3'ing fortunes for 
nineteen years — -the first organization having occurred May 27, 1856, and 
the last recorded ineeting on December 1(5, 1875. It does not appear that 
they ever sent a delegate to the national association. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. - 419 

" The Iowa City Medical Society " was a direct successor of the last 
mentioned one, and was organized Jan. 10, 1876. Its first officers were: 
Drs. E. F. Clapp, president; R. W. Pryce, vice-president; E. H. Sheafter, 
secretary; N. H. Tulloss, treasurer. Censors^ Drs. Gustavus Hinrichs, 
J. C. Shrader. 

Its present officers are: J. C. Shrader, president; Elizabeth Hess, 
vice president; S. S. Ly tie, secretary; N. H. Truloss, treasurer. Censors, 
Drs. C. M. Hobby, J. C. Shrader, and Gustavus Hinrichs. The total 
membership is twelve. 

The following members have been delegates to the National Medical 
Association: Dr. Clapp in 1876, Philadelphia; 1877, Chicago; 1878, 
Buflalo. Dr. Shrader, 1877, Chicago. 

x\s matters of general interest to the people, and information which they 
ought to have, we present the following additional points: 

The objects ol this society shall be the advancement of medical knowl- 
edge, the elevation of professional character, the protection of the interests 
of its members, and the promotion of all measures adapted to the improve- 
ment of the health and the protection of the lives of the community. 

The article on membership specifies that " None shall be admitted to 
membership except those who are regular graduates in medicine and sur- 
gery, having diplomas procured in a regular manner from medical institu- 
tions recognized by the American Medical Association." 

The code of ethics followed is that of the American Medical Associa- 
tion. 

MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS. 



This sub-chapter is devoted as a sort of scrap-bag, to include a variety 
of historical items which were collected in the course of our work at pre- 
paring this volume, but which did not seem to quite exactly fit in any- 
where else. 

NOTES IN 1840-41. 

The first book ever printed in regard to Iowa was compiled by John B. 
Newhall, of Burlington, and published by J. H. Colton,the great map pub- 
lisher of New York cit}'. The title of the book was "Sketches of Iowa, 
or the Emigrant's Guide," and Mr. Newhall's preface is dated February 
2, 1841, hence the material must have been gathered chiefly in 1840. It 
was a well prepared and very valuable little book for the time, and being 
the first publication on Iowa, we copy what it gives in regard to Johnson 
county, as it was regarded at that time: 

This county borders upon the Indian country, the principal part of it 
being embraced in the purchase of 1837. It was organized in 1831>, and 
is attached to the second judicial district. It is bounded on the north b}' 
Linn, east by Cedar and Muscatine, south by Washington and Louisa, 
and contains an area of about 610 square miles. As a whole, Johnson may. 



4:20 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

be estimated a good county of land, well watered and timbered, and 
abounding with excellent springs, although it is somewhat more broken 
and uneven than some of the adjacent counties. It has the character of 
being a very healthy county, there existing no local causes to produce 
disease, and, at the present time, is as rapidly populating as any county in 
the territory. The location of the permanent seat of government of the 
territory being established in this county, (at Iowa City,) has directed the 
attention of hundreds of enterprising and industrious emigrants hither, 
many of them possessing wealth and refinement, and influence, and per- 
haps the results witnessed in a few short months, from the first settlement 
of this county, is without a parallel in the growth of countries. 

It was on the 4th day of May, 1839, the commissioners appointed by the 
legislative assembly selected the site for this new city, which, up to that 
time, was the hunting-ground of the savage, without the first landmark of 
civilization. And on the ensuing 4th of July, but one log cabin marked 
the place of a cvVv, and the devoted few who made the pilgrimage on that 
glorious day to consecrate this young city to freedom and civilization, 
slept under the trees of the forest, having no other shelter save the broad 
canopy of heaven ; yet here were the seeds of liberty planted, and for the 
first time proudly waved the stars and stripes of freedom. On the follow- 
ing June, after the lapse of eleven months, Iowa City contained between 
six and seven hundred inhabitants, several spacious hotels, a dozen stores, 
and artisans ot every description, churches, coftee houses, and all the life 
and bustle of a city of years! For more detailed descriptions, see chief 
towns in Iowa. 

The main branch of the Iowa river flows through this county in a south- 
easterly direction, and touching the northeast corner of Washington, pur- 
sues its course through Louisa to the Mississippi. Big Grove commences 
near Iowa City, and extends to ttie borders of the Indian country. It has 
been pronounced among the best and most extensive bodies of timber in 
Iowa. It is situated between the Iowa and Cedar rivers, being about 
twenty miles in length, with an average width of six to seven miles. 

Johnson county is abundantly supplied with excellent building rock, and 
its clay makes brick of the best quality. Perhaps few counties are more 
favored with all the requisites, either for the artisan or the agriculturist, 
than Johnson; the population are principalh^ engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits, but so recent has been its settlement, that but few farms have been 
cultivated to an}^ great extent; yet the time is near at hand when the farm- 
ers of Johnson will have a surplus of products, and their meadows will 
abound with stock. 

Population in 1838, 237; and in 1840, 4,504. 

POPULATION OF IOWA. 

To give the reader some idea of the surprising increase of population 
in this young territory, I will commence with the first sensus, taken in 
August, 181^7, at which time the whole of the present territor}'- was com- 
prised in only two counties, the population of which, according to the 
official returns stood thus: 

Dubuque county 4,274. 

Des Moines county 6,257. 

Total 10,531. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY 



421 



In May, 1838, these two counties having been divided into sixteen- 
census was again taken, and the result was as follows: 



-the 



Counties. Pop. 

Louisa 1,180 

Jackson 881 

Jones 241 

Clinton 445 

Scott ],252 

Dubuque 2,381 

Johnson - 237 

Cedar 557 

Van Buren 3,174 



Counties. Pop. 

Linn 205 

Des Moines 4,605 

Muscatine 1,247 

Henry 3,058 

Clavton 274 

Wa'shmgton 283 



Lee. 



2,839 



Total 22,859 



From this it appears, that in twenty-one months the population had 
doubled itself, and left an excess of 1797 souls. 

In July, 1840, the census was again taken, and the following result exhib- 
ited: 



Counties. Pop. 

Clayton *. 1,045 

Chnton 800 

Cedar 1,225 

Delaware 171 

Dubuque 3,066 

Des Moines 5,546 

Henry 3,784 

Jones 474 

Jackson 1,452 

Johnson 1,504 



Counties. Pop. 

Jefferson 2,780 

Linn 1,385 

Lee 6,096 

Louisa 1,925 

Muscatine 1,942 

Scott.. .' 2,193 

Washington 1,572 

Van Buren 6,166 



Total 43,116 



TROWBRIDGE S COUNTY HISTORY. 

Oct. 8, 1844. Ordered, that Samuel C. Trowbridge be requested to 
make a certified statement of the organization of Johnson county; who 
were the first officers legally elected or appointed;' the time when, and 
where qualified ; and give generally all the information in his power, which 
may be necessary to make the acts of the first officers of the county fully 
understood and legal. 

Col. Trowbridge commenced preparing *a sketch in accordance with the 
above order, and had it nearly completed. He was postmaster at the 
time and had his early history sketch, and some of the documents per- 
taining to the matter, in the post-office when it was burned down on the 
Sunday night, of March 26, 1845. His manuscripts and papers were all 
destroyed in the fire, and nothing further was ever done by the county to 
rehabilitate its lost or unwritten records. Col. Trowbridge was so much 
broken and depressed by his loss of property and records, books and docu- 
ments in this post-office fire, that he has had no heart since to make any 
attempt at writing out his recollections of the early days; but he is always 
respectful and cordial toward any candid inquirer after such knowledge 
as abides in his recollection. 

THE GOVERNOR LUCAS HOMESTEAD. 

The Johnson County Claim Association was organized March 9, 1839, 

27 



422 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

and the name of Robert Lucas appears on the list of members in his own 
handwriting. Many of the settlers had taken and occupied their claims 
Drior to this, but had not bounded and staked them off very definitely. 
The association fixed certain rules for marking claims, so that there might 
be uniformity and a common method for all, thus preventing overlap of 
claim lines and preventing disputes and quarrels. On page 45 of the old 
book we find this entry: 

"The following claim I purchased of John Kight, in February, 1839, 
and I wish it registered to me as a claim made, as I have not got his deed 
with me— the same being the southwest quarter of section 14, and that 
part of the south half of section 15, that lies east of the Iowa river — town- 
ship 79 north, range 6 west. July 3, 1840. 

Robert Lucas. 

Handed in July 3, 1840." 

Witnesses still living say that Mr. Lucas paid Kight $200 cash down, 
for his improvements. Right's name appears twice in the old book, as 
the holder of other claims, but no other mention occurs of the Lucas 
claim. 

This was the same property where the venerable first Governor of Iowa 
lived and died ; and where his son. Col. Edward W. Lucas still resides — 
1882. 

EX-GOV. KIRKWOOD AS ROAD SUPERVISOR. 

In 1868 the voters of Iowa City township, "just for the fun of the thing," 
or as a sort of practical joke on the ex-Governor, elected him to the office 
of road supervisor. But he took it in good part, went promptly and qual- 
ified, and served his term out faithfully and well. His annual report in his 
own handwriting, lies before the writer hereof, and shows that he obeyed 
the scriptural injunction, "whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with 
thy might." This incident affords a good example and lesson to all who 
aspire to places of public honor and trust, and admirably | illustrates the 
fact that true honor lies not specially in the bigness of the work done, but 
in the thoroughness and fidelity with which it is done. Iowa City town- 
ship never had a better year's road service than this one; and the follow- 
ing affidavit is affixed to the report: 

The State of Iowa, | 
Johnson County, j 
S.J. Kirkwood, being duly sworn, says that the foregoing statement of 
his accounts as supervisor of road district No. 9, of Iowa City town- 
ship, in said county, is just and true, as he verily believes. 

S. J. Kirkwood. 

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 12th day of November, 1869. 

Ira J. Alder, Twp. Clerk. 

JIM Hamilton's "gun-powder plot." 

J. M. Douglass, of Clear Creek, tells a story at the expense of J. C. 

Hamilton, which shows that the boys of early times had as well devel- 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 423 

oped taste for mischief as any of the present day. These two (J. 
M. D. and J. C. H.) got hold of some antiquated powder, supposed to be 
non-explosive, which suggested mischievous experiments as a test. So a 
regular Guy Fawkes "gun-powder plot" was laid to blow up a "spellin' 
school," with the latent hope in their breasts that there was power enough 
left in the powder to create that boy's paradise — a sensation— without 
doing serious damage. The boys displaced a brick in the ample hearth 
of the fire place, filled under it with the powder and covered with sand to 
avoid detection. -When the exercises were at their height "Jim" got hold 
of the wooden shovel and drew the coals to the spot. The teacher, smell- 
ing the burning wood of the shovel, ordered him in tones of severity to 
"put it back." But just then came a "burst of thunder sound," filling the 
air with flying bricks, smoke, dust, and the smell of burnt powder, that 
adjourned that "spellin' school" si7ie die rather unceremoniously. Nobody 
hurt. Mr. Douglass gravely adds: "My father was school director at the 
time, and was present; but he never interviewed ^x^ boys, as he ought to 
have done." 

In 1860 a benevolent crank named Townsend started, near Iowa City, a 
home or as3dum for pauper orphans and bastard babies, and on June 4, 
1861, the county board "resolved that the Rev. C. C. Townsend be 
required to give bonds, suitably secured, in a sum sufficient to indemnify 
the county against any loss it may sustain, by supporting any of the 
orphan children or foundlings which he has brought, or may hereafter 
bring into the county." 

The bond was fixed at $5,000. Townsend never furnished it, but 
continued his benevolent work, till finally on June 7, 1867, the board 
ordered the county attorney to enjoin him or any agents of that institution 
from bringing any more of its sort of inmates into the county. These 
children were mostly street outcasts of the large cities, brought here on a 
theory that they could be cared for and trained to industrial habits. Some 
sympathized with the scheme and gave money to aid it, but it was alto- 
gether too private and irresponsible in its plan of work to be saddled on 
any community. Such elemosynary institutions must be under the con- 
trol and responsible oversight of the state or some church or permanent 
benevolent order to make them properly worthy of encouragement. 

CONFUSION OF NAMES. 

There are some curiosities of names among the early settlers, some of 
which were so nearly alike in sound, as often to be mistaken one for 
another. 

There were Trowbridge and Strawbridge. 

Witter and Ritter. 

Felkner and Fackler and Fessler. 

Switzer and Swisher and Whicher, the latter a lawyer. 

Henry Hart and Henry Earhart. 



424 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

McGrew and Magruder. 

McAllister and McCollister. 

Norse and Morse and Morseman. 

Prague and Sprague. 

Berry and Berryhill. 

Dennis and Dennison. 

McCrory and McCleary. 

But the greatest novelty and case of surnominal "confusion worse con- 
founded," is the following list of men representing nineteen diferent fam- 
ilies in Johnson county, and no two of these men being of any kin to each 
other, yet all named Clark. It beats John Smith a long way. The list is 
furnished and vouched for by Col. S. C. Trowbridge, librarian of the 
State Historical Society: 

Philip Clark, Farmer Newport township. 

Israel JL. Clark Minister Penn township. 

John C. Clark Plasterer City. 

Timothy B. Clark Farmer Big Grove. 

Isaac Clark Farmer Monroe. 

William L. Clark Farmer .Clear Creek. 

Samuel W. Clark Farmer Pleasant Valley. 

Thomas Clark .... .... Farmer Scott township. 

Ezekiel Clarke Banker City. 

Rush Clark Lawyer City. 

W. Penn Clarke Lawyer City. 

J. Warren Clark Merchant and farmer. . .City. 

J. Norwood Clark Merchant City. 

A. L. Clark Plasterer City. 

Jonas Clark Painter City. 

Ephraim Clark Miller Lucas township. 

W. A. Clark Miller Fremont and city. 

Clark Farmer Fremont township. 

Loring Clark Farmer Cedar township. 

BIBLE SOCIETY. 

On Sunday, September 25, 1842, after listening to an address by the 
Rev. Julius Field, agent of the American Bible Society, papers were cir- 
culated, and the names of forty-six persons obtained, subscribing an 
amount of $350.75 for the purpose of forming an Auxiliary Bible Society 
for the county of Johnson. The meeting was then organized by appoint- 
ing Dr. W. Reynolds chairman, and A. P. Wood secretary. A constitu- 
tion was read and adopted, and the time of annual meeting fixed for the 
month of September. A committee was then appointed for the purpose 
of selecting officers for the society. The following were reported, viz: 
President, Rev. M. Hummer, (of "Hummer's Bell notoriety." See article 
on "Hummer's Bell"); vice-presidents, Rev. Mr. Johnson, Rev. W. Woods, 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 425 

Dr. W. Reynolds, W. B. Snyder and Chauncy Swan; secretary, Rev. 
Geo. B. Bowman; treasurer, Dr. Jesse Bo wen. Executive Committee, 
Thomas Snyder and Anson Hart. 

On motion, the above were unanimously elected as the officers of the 
society for the ensuing year. The secretary was instructed to inform the 
clergy of this organization. The executive committee, also, was instructed 
to procure a person to deliver an address on the Bible cause. Another 
meeting was ordered to be held on the first Tuesday in the ensuing court 
term. 

On motion, the proceedings were directed to be published in the papers 
in this city. 

Adjourned, to meet as above. W. Reynolds, President. 

A. P. Wood, Secretary. 

JOHNSON county's " FAMILY RECORD." 

The following are the returns made to the county clerk from September 
30, 1881, to September 30, 1882: 

Returned in October, 1881 . . , 
Returned in November, 1881 
Returned in December, 1881. 
Returned in January, 1882. . , 
Returned in February, 1882 , 
Returned in March, 1882 

in April, 1882 

in May, 1882, 



Returned 
Returned 



Returned in June, 1882. 



in July, 1882. 
in August, 1882 . 



Returned 
Returned 
Returned in September, 1882 

Total 312 119 261 



Birtbi. 


Deaths. 


Marriages. 


30 


13 


28 


84: 


12 


18 


27 


11 


30 


26 


9 


28 


23 


5 


32 


19 


5 


15 


41 


14 


24 


13 


7 


20 


12 


3 


15 


10 


17 


15 


17 


6 


12 


60 


14 


24 



426 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

CHAPTER VII.— PART 1. 



SOME NOTABLE EVENTS. 

Steamboats at Iowa City — First Legislature at Iowa City — Hummer's Bell — A Cyclone — 
A Great Fire — Obsequies to President Lincoln — A Winter of Distress — The Spelling 
Mania — Paper Mill Explosion (Six Persons Killed) at Coralville — Iowa City's Historic 
Wind Storm— Snow- Bound — A Double Tragedy (the Stein Murder and Suicide.) 

THE FIRST STEAMBOAT AT IOWA CITY. 

The loxva City Sta7idard oi June 24, 1841, contains the following: 

" Arrival Extraordinary. — We this week announce an event which, 
in our judgment, is of more importance than any that has happened since 
our city has had an existence. 

On the 20th instant our citizens were surprised b}- hearing the puffing 
of an approaching steamer. We need not speak of the astonishment 
caused by such unnatural sounds; sounds which 'were for the first time 
heard on our peaceful river, nor of the many conjectures which were 
started as to the source from whence they proceeded. Our doubts were 
soon dispelled by the glorious reality, as the steamer Ripple for the first 
time came dashing up the Iowa and landed at the ferry, which, henceforth, 
is only to be known by the more appropriate name of the steamboat 
landing . 

The hearty cheers which hailed the arrival, and the warm welcome 
which the captain, crew and passengers received from our citizens, showed 
that they appreciated the enterprise and determination which had origi- 
nated and successfully carried out such an undertaking. Among the 
passengers on board we noticed Messrs. Wesley Jones, Moses Cramer, 
Jas. W. Neally, D. W. C. Barron, Jno. B. Newhall, the talented author of 
"The Sketches of Iowa," and our fellow-townsman, James Herron. 

The Ripple arrived at the conjunction of the Iowa and Cedar river on 
Friday evening. On Saturday morning she started and ran up within 
four miles of this city before she stopped for the night. There were no 
impediments found to an easy and safe navigation of the river, if we may 
except a few snags and projecting trees, a few miles below the city, which 
will be removed by our citizens during the present week. The experi- 
ment on the whole, was a most satisfactory one. The present compara- 
tively low stage of water will effectually silence any sneers that may be 
thrown out concerning high water navigation, etc., and we now have the 
fact proved, beyond the possibility of a doubt, that the Iowa river is navi- 
gable beyond this place for seven months at least during every year. 

This arrival has effectually changed the relation in which we formerly 
stood to other towns in this territory. We are no longer dependent on the 
towns on the Mississippi for our imports, nor are we subjected to the 
labor and expense of drawing across the country all articles brought from 
abroad. We have now a situation superior in many respects to any in 
the territory. 

The advantage of being the furthest point in the interior, which has a 
safe and easy communication by water with all the great commercial cities 
in the west, is too manifest to need remark. Indeed some of our neighbor- 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 427 

ing towns on the Mississippi have laid claims to being places of great 
importance, on this ground alone. We trust we have settled all disputes 
on this point and that they now at once yield the palm to us, and surrender 
all claims that they may have on this score. But when we add to these 
advantages our acknowledged superiority in beauty of location and fertility 
of soil, and call to mind our almost total exemption from those diseases, 
which are and have ever been the scourges of the west, we can confi- 
dently demand the attention of emigrants and others to a situation which 
combines every advantage that can attract the merchant and the farmer, 
"the man of business or the man. of pleasure." 

MEETING OF THE CITIZENS. 

According to previous notice a meeting of the citizens of Iowa City was 
held at the City Hotel, and was organized by C. Swan being called to the 
chair, and J. Bowen appointed secretary, and 

On motion of Jesse Williams, 

Resolved^ that a committee of six persons be appointed by the chair, 
consisting of Jesse Williams, Jesse Bowen, Silas Foster, Cyrus Sanders, 
John Powell and Horace Smith, to invite the captain and passengers of the 
steamboat Ripple to partake of a public dinner to be given by the citizens 
of Iowa City. 

On motion of Horace Smith, 

Resolved^ that a committee of three persons be appointed by the chair 
to make arrangements with some of the inn-keepers of Iowa City to pro- 
vide a dinner and solicit subscriptions to defray the expense of the same — 
whereupon, 

Horace Smith, Walter Butler, and H. G. Jones, were appointed said 
committee. 

On motion of Horace Smith, 

Resolved^ that a suitable person be selected to accompany the Steam- 
boat Ripple down the Iowa so far as ma}- be necessary, to ascertain the 
principal obstructions, and the best mode and the probable expense of 
removing said obstructions. 

And on motion of Jesse WilHams, Capt. F. M. Irish was appointed that 
person, and. 

On motion of Horace Smith, the following resolutions was unanimously 
adopted: 

Resolved^ that Maj. J. B. Newhall, be requested to circulate a subscrip- 
tion in the city of Burlington, and the intermediate ports, to assist in defray- 
ing the expenses necessary in removing the obstructions that now exist in 
the navigation of the Iowa river. On motion. 

Resolved^ that the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the presi- 
dent and secretary, and published in the lozua City Standard. 

On motion, the meeting adjourned to meet on Monday next, the 2Sth inst. 

C. Swan, Chairman. 

J. Bo WEN, Secretary. 



Iowa City, June 21, 1841. 
Captain D. Jones, Captain of the Steamer Rip-pie: 

Sir: — At a meeting of the citizens of this city, held at Iowa City Hotel, 
this day, the undersigned were appointed a committee to invite you to 
participate in the hospitalities of a public dinner to be given to yourself 
and crew, together with the passengers who accompanied you to our city, 



428 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

in the steamer Ripple, to be given at the National Hotel in this city, at 2 

o'clock this atternoon. 

We take great pleasure in discharging the duties which have thus 

devolved upon us, and would beg leave to assure you that an acceptance 

of the invitation would confer a favor upon the citizens generally, as well 

as upon Your obedient servants, 

Jesse Williams, Jesse Bowen, 

Silas Foster, John Powell, 

Cyrus Sanders, Horace Smith. 

Steamboat Ripple, June 21, 1841. 

Gentlemen: — I this morning received your polite note tendering to me 
the hospitalities of your city, together with my passengers and crew. 

In signifying my acceptance of this token of your regard, permit me to 
express the gratification I have experienced in the cordial reception I have 
met with, both individually and collectively from the moment of my arrival 
among you, not with the cool distrust of a stranger, but rather the cor- 
dial reception of a long tried friend. 

Gentlemen, the strong assurance of my friends, that the arrival of a 
steamer at Iowa City, would be hailed with that hberal spirit, becoming 
your high destinies, have been more than realized, and I desire no surer 
guarantee of the future than the evidences I have witnessed. 

With sentiments of the highest regard, 1 subscribe myself your friend 
and obedient servant, D. Jones. 

To Messrs. J. Williams, J. Bowen, S. Foster, J. Powell, C. Sanders and 
H. Smith. 

At half past 2 o'clock a company of about seventy-five gentlemen sat 
down to an excellent dinner, provided by J. Lawrence, Esq., of the Na- 
tional Hotel. After the cloth was removed several spirited toasts were 
deHvered, compHmentary to the movers of this successful achievement of 
navigating the Iowa. Spirited and appropriate remarks were made by 
Maj. Newhall, Capt. Jones and others. 

The following are some of the toasts given on the occasion: 

By Jesse Williams: — Iowa, bounded on the east by the "Father of Riv- 
ers," and interspersed by interior natural channels of navigation; her 
future prospects are unsurpassed by any portion of the great west. 

By Cyrus Sanders:— Johnson county, her prospects of future prosper- 
ity, as unfolded by the event which we celebrate, are unsurpassed by any 
of her sisters of our lovely territory. 

By James F. Hanby:— May the steamboat Ripple be successful in 
obtaining a sufficient quantity of freight and passengers to justify her in 
paying us a visit on the ith of July next. 

By M. Creamer:— As the steamer Ripple has by her enterprise, suc- 
ceeded in placing her crew on the banks of this city, may prosperity and 
success attend her. 

By Wesley Jones:— Captain Jones of the Ripple, may his success be 
properly appreciated by the citizens of Iowa City. 

By James W. Nealy:— May the steamboat Ripple return in safety to this 
city, prepared to carry Uvino; freight to the very borders of the now inhab- 
ited ground of the Indians. 

The following bill of lading from "the port of Iowa City," is preserved 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 429 

by the State Historical Society, and was copied from the original by this 
historian: 

Shipped, in good order and condition, by Silas Foster, for account and 
risk of whom it may concern, on board the good steamboat called The 
Ripple^ whereof D. Jones is master for the present voyage, now lying in 
the PORT OF Iowa City, and bound for Burlington, merchandise, marked 
and numbered as below, and are to be delivered without delay, in like 
good order at the port of Burlington (unavoidable dangers of the river and 
fire only excepted), unto Messrs. Bridgman'& Partridge, assigns, they pay- 
ing freight at the rate of one dollar per.cwt. 

In witness whereof, the owner, master or clerk of said steamboat hath 
affirmed two bills of lading, all of this tenor and date, one of which being 
accomplished, the others to stand void. 

Dated at lowalCity, this 22d day of June, 1841. 

Marks. Articles. Weight. 

Bridgman & 5 cases Iowa 

Partridge, City marble, 20,000 

John Taylor, Clerk. 

This is the first bill of lading signed and first shipment made from Iowa 
City, June 22, 1841. 

ANOTHER STEAMBOAT ARRIVAL. 

Among the most memorable events in the history of Johnson county 
was the arrival at Iowa City of steamboats up the Iowa river. The 
second steamboat to make the trip arrived April 21, 1842; and the spon- 
taneous gush and outburst of enthusiasm among the people was embalmed 
in words of glowing exuberance, by the editor of the Iowa Capital 
Reporter^ at the time, and here is his jolly and bubbling-over account of 
the affair: 

Thursday last, at ten o'clock in the morning, the cry of steamboat in 
the Iowa— all hands on deck — was raised by the stentorian lungs of the 
workmen on the top of the capitol. This, with the hoarse response of the 
steamer herself, with her voice of deep thunder, aroused the whole popu- 
lation. We, with the laudable desire to share in the public curiosity and 
delight, ran with unusual expedition to the top of the bluff", and, sure 
enough^ a steamer was in full view, just emerged from the forest below 
the town. Nothing could have exceeded in brilliant magnificence the 
scene displayed before us. The steamer moving up in majestic course, 
with the stars and stripes from her bows floating joyously in the breeze, 
smiling on luxuriant landscape of surpassing beauty and richness, seemed 
to be greeted by nature's loveliness in a region which had witnessed for 
the first time the emblems of the country's glory. Emerging from time 
to time from the thickets of timber variegating the banks, puffing, blow- 
ing and converting tlie deep black waters of the Iowa into foam of milky 
whiteness, contrasted with the luxuriant foliage of the tree, the deep green 
of a superabundant vegetation, and the azure-golden serenity of the heav- 
ens, afforded a field worthy the contemplation of the enthusiast, and could 
not fail to generate the inspiration of poetry in the heart of the admirer of 
nature and the ingenuity of man. ■ On the farther bluff", withdrawn timidl y 



430 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

from the presence of the white man, seated in dismal silence, a small group 
of the natives of the forest regarded with astonishment and awe the 
approach of the big fire canoe, beheving it to be a curse of the Great 
Spirit marking the progress of the pale face, feeding upon their own loved 
Iowa, where a few years since the frail bark of the savage darted upon 
her placid bosom, propelled by the agile arm of their dusky daughters. 

When the boat arrived at the landing a large concourse of citizens had 
assembled, who welcomed her with three enthusiastic cheers, which were 
answered by as many stately and graceful bows from the captain upon 
the upper deck. She proved to be the " Rock River," a medium-sized 
boat in the Upper Mississippi trade. 

At 1 o'clock, by universal request, the boat started on an excursion up 
the river. Elderly citizens with their daughters, young, blushing, and 
gay as the summer's morning, dashing belles and beaux in profusion, 
with gentlemen and ladies, (generally) served to make up a party of pleas- 
ure, consisting of a hundred or more merry souls intent upon rational 
enjoyment, frolic, and fun. They went to the quarry some twelve or fif- 
teen miles above the town, landed, and took a stroll amongst the magnifi- 
cent scenery bordering the river, and returned early in the evening with- 
out the slightest accident to interrupt the festivity of the occasion. We 
can say most of the party in the outset wore happy faces, and many a 
fair one, on the return, with blushing smiles extolled the politeness of the 
officers and the police of the boat. 

That the Iowa is navigable for steamboats of a medium draught for 
many miles can no longer be doubted. We understand that the " Rock 
River" entered the Iowa from the Mississippi early on the evening before 
she visited our city, and that during the whole night's passage she met 
with no obstacle whatever to her progress. The river above town is 
represented narrower and deeper, and it is now rendered certain that it is 
navigable for many miles into the interior during the spring months, and 
perhaps far into the summer. The captain of the " Rock River " is rep- 
resented to have said that he found his experiment in the Iowa altogether 
more successful than he anticipated; and had he known there was so little 
or rather no difficulty in running it that he would have brought out the 
merchandise for the spring trade previously shipped from Cincinnati and 
St. Louis. So it may be reasonably expected that when the business and 
resources of the country will warrant it, steamers will ply between this 
place and the large towns on the Mississippi. 

If the reputed rich mineral region above should prove productive, Iowa 
City and vicinity must become a place of general resort. Uusurpassed 
fertility of soil, general healthiness of the location, vicinity to steam navi- 
gation, and mineral wealth in abundance, should the discoveries prove 
productive, all point to the valleys of the Iowa and Cedar as a desirable 
situation for the emigrant and the capitaHst." 

On the next Saturday, [April 30, 1842,] after the above was published, 
the following notice appeared in the same paper: 

The steamer Rock River, Captain Thayer, returned to this city yester- 
day evening, bringing with her considerable freight from Burlington and, 
Bloomington [Muscatine]. 

But all the bright hopes thus awakened of making the Iowa river a 
navigable stream went out in darkness and rose again no more. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 431 

FIRST MEETING OF LEGISLATURE AT IOWA CITY. 

From the lozva Capital Reporter of date Dec. 11, 1841, and which is 
Vol. I, No. 2, of that paper, and edited by VanAntwerp & Hughes, we 
copy the following very interesting editorial, which preserves incidentally 
some points in regard to Iowa weather, as well as the good word for Iowa 
City and her public spirited ladie-! of that early day: 

Notwithstanding the extreme inclemency of the weather for the two or 
three days immediately preceding Monday last, every member of the 
council, save one, ''Mr. Hall, of Van Buren,) and all except three of the 
house, (Messrs. Hebard, Weld and Denson,) were here in readiness to take 
their seats on the first day of the session. 

His Excellency Governor Chambers, and Mr. Secretary Stull, were 
also in town, having arrived from Burlington on the Saturday previous. 

The weather during Friday, on which day most of the members started 
from their homes, was excessively disagreeable, a cold sleet having fallen 
during the w^hole day, accompanied by high winds. During the night 
the rain ceased, but the cold increased and with it the wind, to a degree 
of fierceness sufficient almost to blow the hair ofi^' one's head. 

It did make sad havoc with the hats and cloaks of those who breasted 
" the pitiless peltings of the storm," as we happen to know from woeful 
experience; our companion in a ride from Bloomington [Muscatine] here, 
having been kept pretty busily engaged, exercising his trotter's in pursuit 
of the fugitive articles, while upon us devolved, every now and then, the 
duty — " shivering in the wind " — of watching our faithful steed. This 
occurring in the midst of our large prairies, was a picture upon which a 
painter might have exercised his talents to good effect. On Sunday the 
weather, though somewhat more calm, was still pretty severe, and we 
cheerfully bear testimony to the credit due legislators, and other public 
functionaries, for their perseverence in reaching here under such adverse 
circumstances. 

Once here, however, they were in a haven of safety and comfort; and 
some of them, no doubt, found things very differently situated from what 
they had anticipated. 

Taught to suppose that they were coming to a place where no conven- 
iences would attend them, and where they should have, perhaps, to spend 
the winter in a condition bordering upon savage life, a widely and totally 
different state of things presents itself. They find themselves in a most 
thriving town of some seven or eight hundred inhabitants, built upon a 
site unsurpassed for beauty by any that we have ever beheld anywhere in 
the interior. This we declare in all sincerity; and in this every individual 
whose mind is unprejudiced upon the subject, must agree with us. 

They find halls prepared for their assemblage, with every convenience 
and comfort that they could reasonably desire, and fitted up in a style of 
neatness and taste highly creditable to those by whom they were arranged. 
The hands of the ladies of this city, by the by, are plainly preceptible in 
this arrangement, and many thanks are due them for it. Much credit is 
due, too, to our public-spirited fellow citizen, Mr. Butler, for his exertions 
in getting the building in readiness for the reception of the legislature; and 
he well deserves to be favorably remembered for it. 

But there are other things found here, which some probably did not 
expect to find. They find accommodations for boarding and lodging, 



432 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

much more comfortable than they expected. We can speak, at any rate, 
for a mess of a dozen or so, with whom we have the good fortune to be 
most agreeably ensconced. If there be any better living or pleasanter 
quarters in the territory than those of our "good host of the hill," we have 
not yet seen them. They find, too, a highly intelligent and order-loving 
population, with places ot public worship either erected or in the progress 
of erection, in which to do homage to the Giver of All Good. And, "last 
thouo-h not least," they find fair woman, spreading over all that indescrib- 
able charm which virtuous woman only is capable of producing. With 
this state of things, who will gainsay that a residence at the new capital 
of our young territory is a matter to be desired. 

The same paper contains a list of the officers elected for that first Iowa 
City session, besides a full report of all proceedings up to Saturday, the 
day of publication. Henry Felkner was the representative from Johnson 
county, and S. C. Hastings represented Johnson and Muscatine coun- 
ties in the upper house, then called " council." The following counties 
were represented: Lee, Van Buren, Des Moines, Henry, Louisa, Wash- 
ington, Muscatine, Johnson, Cedar, Jones, Linn, Scott, Clinton, Dubuque, 
Clayton, Delaware and Jackson. The officers were as follows; 

IN THE COUNCIL. 

Jonathan Parker, president; James W. Woods, secretary; Edward J. 
Darken, assistant secretary; George S.Hampton and George W. Harris, 
transcribing clerks; Samuel Parker, sergeant-at-arms; Orrin Dood, door 
keeper; Miles Driscoll, messenger, and Daniel Change, fireman. 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. 

Warner Lewis, speaker; Joseph T. Fales, chief clerk; Lemuel Park- 
hurst, assistant clerk; S. B. Gardner, recording clerk; Wm. A. Thurston, 
engrossing clerk; Benjamin Tucker, enrolling clerk; Charles Price, sear- 
geant-at-arms; John R. Williams, door keeper; H. L. Jeannin, assistant 
door keeper; T. B. Brown, messenger; B. Wii Gillock, assistant messen- 
ger; Wm. Abbey, fireman. 

A NEWSPAPER TUG OF WAR. 

The house of representatives contained sixteen democrats and ten whigs. 
There were three newspapers already in existence, The loiva City 
Standard, started by Wm. Crum, June 10, 1S41. as the whig organ; T/ie 
lo-wa City Arous, a democratic paper, started by one Dr. Nathan Jackson, 
from Indiana, in 1841, and the lozm Capital Reporter, started by Gen. 
Van Antwerp and Thomas Hughes, Dec. 4, 1841, also a democratic paper. 
Of course there was a partisan and also somewhat personal strife 
over the choice of officers and the public printing; and of course the 
democrats licked the cream from off that buttermilk, electing all the offi- 
cers and giving the public printing to the Reporter office (democrat). 
Thereupon the country at once, in whig eyes, hung over the yawning 
gulf of everlasting ruin, for the next issue of The Standard, the whig 
paper, contained this startling announcement: 

We are credibly informed that at an early stage of the Star Chamber 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 433 

doings, a solemn resolve was taken, that no zvhig county in the territory- 
should have an officer in the legislature, either whig or locofoco.* We 
feel it our indispensable duty to call the attention of the people of this 
territory to these facts, that they may -ponder upon them, and consider 
whether such a state of things can last long without an entire subversion 
of the principles of social rights and the destruction of public liberty! ! f'' 

hummer's bell. 

The First Presbyterian church of Iowa City was organized in August, 
1840, and Rev. Michael Hummer was its first pastor, from 1841 to 1846. 
The presbytery then appointed him as their agent to go east and collect 
funds for the establishment of a Presbyterian college or seminary at West 
Point in Lee county. He seems to have been successful in his mission, 
and also to have been instrumental in procuring a fine bell to be donated 
to the new church building at Iowa City, which had been commenced in 
1844, and first used (the basement only) in December, 1846, but was not 
completed until 1850, [This building was afterward burned down.] The 
bell was received and put up in the church tower in 1847 or '48. But 
during Mr. Hummer's absence east, he had embraced some Sweden- 
borgian, or spiritualistic, or "spirit-rapping" ideas that were very unortho- 
dox, and out of this probably grew some accusations of " bad faith " also in 
the matter of funds — a most natural thmg, whether he was honest or not; 
for he had to pay his own salary and expenses out of the funds donated or 
given to him as agent for the college, and nobody knew but himself just 
how much he had received. At any rate charges were brought against 
him in presbytery. Over the trial on these he got furious, sjorming 
angry, and left the room in a rage, declaring that the presbytery was " a 
den of ecclesiastical thieves.'''' From this time forth he paid no regard to 
the authority of the presbytery, and at its next session he was formally- 
expelled from the ministry. Meanwhile he had gone to Keokuk and was 
planning to build a spiritual temple or church there, for which that fine 
bell at Iowa City would be a crowning jewel. He still held claims against 
the church for his unpaid salary while pastor, and concluded to sieze on 
the bell for those claims. This was in 1848. So he and a Dr. Margrave 
came up from Keokuk with a team to carry the bell away. Hummer got 
a ladder and climbed up into the belfry with ropes and tackle and let the 
bell down. But this was a work of considerable time and difficulty for 
two men, and ere the}' had got it down a curious crowd was gathered 
about. As soon as it became known what was going on a scheme was 
made up to prevent the bell from being carried away to do duty for a 
rival town. As soon as Hummer got it down a wagon was brought up 
and the bell loaded into it and taken away while Hummer was up in the 
belfry unfastening his ropes and tackle, and his assistant, Hargrave, had 
gone to fetch their team, the ladder having been also removed so that 

*A current nickname for democrat. 



434 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Hummer could not jj^et down. It was all the work of a few minutes, and 
when Margrave got back, the bell was gone, and Hummer raving and 
scolding and gesticulating like a madman, at which the boys and loafers 
below were laughing and hurrahing as if they were seeing the clown in 
"the biggest show on earth." Hargrave put the ladder back and let his 
reverend friend get down; but, alas! the bell! the bell! it was nowhere to 
be seen. 

Eli M3^ers drove the team that carried off the bell, followed by David 
Lamreau, James Miller, A. B. Newcomb, and two or three others. They 
took it up the river to near the mouth of Rapid creek and sank it deep 
out of sight. Its hiding place was to be kept a profound secret until Hum- 
mer's lawful claims against the church were in some way settled, so that 
the bell should not by any possible legal process get into his possession 
again and be taken away. When this danger was all past, it was then to 
be returned and put up in the church belfry again. But while things were 
waiting in this shape, Myers, Newcomb, Lamreau, Miller, and some oth- 
ers started for California. Some of them secretly fished up that bell, 
packed it in a strong box, loaded it into Newcomb's wagon, and took it 
with them to speculate on. At Salt Lake they sold it to the Mormons for 
what they could get. All this was only known then to the men who took 
it away; they started from Iowa City, April 15, 1850. Somehow the 
clapper to the bell was left behind, and ultimately found its way into 
Thomas Hughes' cellar, where it lay rusting many years. But the bell 
was searched for after Hummer was safely out of the way, and behold it 
had "washed down the river," or "sunk through to China, or something. 
The "spirit rappmgs" told Hummer that it was buried under the State 
house. Nobody could imagine what had become of it, until long years 
afterward some returned California gold hunters let the secret out. In 
1868, Rev. S. M. Osmond was pastor of the Presbyterian'Church of Iowa 
City; he heard what the returned Californians had reported, and so wrote 
to Brigham Young, the Salt Lake Mormon potentate, with seventeen 
wives, in regard to it. Brigham Young wrote back, yes, the bell is here. 
We have no use for it, and have never used it. It will be sent to the con- 
gregation it was made for, w^hen they will pay shipping expenses. This 
letter was dated Salt Lake City, November 3, 1868. Asa Calkins, who 
was then a clerk in Brigham Young's office, lived in Iowa City when 
Hummer took the bell down, and knew all about the affair at the time. 
The Iowa City church has never ordered it sent back. 

This Hummer's bell fiasco was a notable and exciting affair in its day — 
was talked about, and laughed over, and turned into a great deal of fun. 
Hon. John P. Cook and Hon. Wm. H. Tuthill, then young lawyers, com- 
posed a song on the subject, which has often been pubhshed; and Cook 
sang it for the amusement of his fellow lawyers and the judge one evening 
after court. Stephen Whicher, Esq., was present at the time and wrote 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 435 

down the verses as they were improvised by Cook and Tutthill. [The 
entire song may be found in Annals ot Iowa, July, 1864, p. 333.] A young 
artist of Iowa City made a pictorial sketch of the affair, which is still pre- 
served in the Stale Historical rooms. 

THE GREAT CYCLONE. 

In 1859 occurred the great " cyclone " which passed through a portion 
of Johnson county. Its greatest force was spent while crossing the Iowa 
river, just below the fair grounds, where it is reported that it scooped out 
the water till the bed of the stream could be seen entirely across. Such 
freaks of the elements were not common then and not a little consterna- 
tion was caused by the " water spout," as it was termed, though no one 
was fatally injured. 

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE. 

On Tuesday night, Oct. 11, 1864, occurred one of the most extensive 
fires in the history of Iowa City. A report published at the time relates: 

The fire originated in a shed in the rear of Beibshimer's confectionery 
store, whence it spread with great rapidity among the surrounding 
wooden buildings. On the west of the building first burned, the house 
lately occupied by Mr. Taylor, as a tailor shop, and the dry goods and 
grocery store of Mr. Kruger were destroyed. The further spread of the 
fire in this direction was stopped by the excellent three story brick build- 
ing of Mr. P. P. Freeman. On the east the fire met with no check. The 
frame building occupied by Mr. Xanten was destroyed, together with 
much furniture and stock. Here the brick building owned in part by Mr. 
Zimmerman, and partly by Chas. Boye, Esq., offered for a time some 
resistance to the flames, but the wooden sheds in the rear having caught, 
the whole building was speedily destroyed. Zimmerman succeeded in 
saving most of his furniture and stock. 

Etzel, who occupied the east half as a saloon and residence, lost heavily 
in liquors, and had some bedding stolen. From here the fire turned the 
corner, taking Deitz's grocery store, Aeschelman's barber shop, Saykora's 
saloon, Rapp's boot and shoe store, and Bishop's harness shop, the last 
building on the alley was torn down, thus saving the other buildings on 
the block. The total number of houses destroyed was thirteen; they 
were all occupied as business houses and their loss will be severely felt. 

The surmises concerning the origin of the fire are numerous; that it 
was the work of an incendiary there can be little doubt, as there had been 
no fire during the day in the building which was first burned. 

OBSEQUIES TO PRESIDENT LINCOLN. 

April 14, 1865, President Lincoln received the assassin Booth's fatal 
shot, died at 7:30 o'clock a. m., on the 15th; and at 11 o'clock, only three 
and a half hours later. Vice President Johnson was sworn in by Chief 
Justice S. P. Chase, and assumed the duties of chief magistrate of the 



436 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

nation. The following proceedings had at Iowa City belong to the local 
history of the time, and explain themselves. The programme as here 
laid down was fully carried out: 

PUBLIC MEETING. 

In compliance with a call issued during the day, April 17, 1865, the citi- 
zens of Iowa City assembled at the court house. 

On motion, ex-Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood was called to the chair, 
and Thos. J. Cox, chosen secretary. 

The chairman stated the object of the meeting, which was to take some 
steps in reference to the sad event of the assassination and death of Presi- 
dent Lincoln. 

On motion, a committee of seven was appointed by the chair to draft 
resolutions. 

The following were appointed: Messrs. N. H. Brainerd, C. T. Ran- 
som, R. S. Finkbine, S. C. Trowbridge, E. W. Lucas, W. E. Miller and 
John Williams. 

The committee having retired to Judge Williams' office, remarks appro- 
priate to the occasion were made, by Z. C. Luse, J. C. Edmonds, S. H. 
Fairall, Rev. Laflerty and W. C. Gaston. 

The committee on return made the following report, which, on motion, 
was received and adopted: 

Your committee would recommend the adoption of the following pro- 
gramme, to be observed of our lamented chief magistrate, Abraham Lin- 
coln. 

That on the day of the funeral ceremonies at Washington City, the citi- 
zens of Iowa City and Johnson county turn out en masse, and form a fun- 
eral procession ; that all the places of business be closed ; that all business 
be suspended during the entire day; that all business places and offices be 
draped in mourning; that all flags be suspended at half mast, with the 
union down; that the procession be formed at 12:30 o'clock p. m., under 
the direction of the marshals, to march to music to place of public speak- 
ing, at the State University, the oration to be delivered by Gov. Kirk- 
wood. 

That Col. Williams act as chief marshal, and that a committee of 
arrangement, composed of nine gentlemen, be appointed to superintend all 
the necessary preparations. The following were appointed as committee 
of arrangement: Messrs. Z. C. Luse, R. Hutchinson, S. II. Fairall, E. 
Clark, H. Murray, M. Fisher, John Williams, Rush Clark and E. Shep- 
hard. 

On motion, it was further ordered, that the mayor be requested to issue 
his proclamation, to close all saloons and business places during the day. 

On motion, the meetings adjourned. 

Sam'l J. Kirkwood, President. 

Thos. Cox, Secretary. 

A WINTER OF DISTRESS. 

During the winter of 1874-75, there was so Httle employment for labor- 
ing people, such a severe winter and so much destitution, that a soup 
house was opened and kept up by the benevolent people of the city. The 
following final report published March 26, 1875, shows of its operations: 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 437 

It was in operation forty-four days, and we are enabled to submit the 
following: 

STATEMENT. 

Quarts of soup to the poor 1,786 

Loaves of bread to the poor 583 

Expense M days at $5.13 per day $225.53 

Receipts 44 days at $3.60 per day 156.65 

Deficit 69.88 

The deficit has been assumed by a gentleman who had an interest in 
the cause. 

THE SPELLING MANIA. 

During the winter of 1874-75, a spelling-school epidemic swept over the 
country, and Johnson county "had it bad." The newspapers of the time 
are full of it. The Iowa City Daily Pi'ess of April 15, 1875, says: 

The spelling match last night was attended by an immense audience, 
and the fun was perfectly uproarious. Mr. Hirschel of the law class, and 
Mr. Brush, tutor in Latin, were captains of their respective sides, and fell 
before their men went down. The contest was spirited, and good spelling 
was done by all the class who had time to recover from their first ner- 
vousness. The last three up were Prof. Hammond and Mr. Springer, of 
Hirschel's side, and Mr. Ball of the Bushwhackers. Finally Springer went 
down b}^ forgetting that the Latin c in nomen gets changed to / in English, 
and then Ball rolled oft' on "extravasation," and Prof. Hammond was left 
the victor in a very fine and well fought orthographical battle. So pleased 
was every one at the close that it was announced that another contest 
would be held upon notice in the newspapers. The propounder had an 
unquiet night of contention with the ghosts of Webster and Worcester, 
imagined himself an unabridged dictionary, buried under a mound of spell- 
ing books with 'Aam' at his head and 'Zythum' at his feet." 

THE PAPER MILL EXPLOSION. 

The most frightful catastrophe that has ever occurred in Johnson 
county, was the explosion of Close's paper mill at Coralville, about nine 
o'clock on Thursday evening, July 23, 1875. The State Press pubHshed 
a detailed report of the terrible calamity at the time; and from its files we 
compile the following points of permanent historic interest 

One of the largest of our manufacturing establishments was Close's 
paper mill at Coralville, one and one-half miles from this city. It ran two 
paper machines, eleven beating engines and four pulping tanks. Its man- 
ual force was thirty men and women, divided into two gangs, each twelve 
hours on and twelve oft'. It stopped only at 12 o'clock each Saturday 
night, to start again at 12 each Sunday night, and the week saw no pause 
in the ponderous and interesting machinery. Its product was six tons of 
paper every 24 hours, ready for shipping, and every bale left its doors for 
the freight cars upon a track immediately in front, which carried it to all 
the markets. 

The following diagram will aid much in understanding the account of 
this strange, sad casualty. It should be borne in mind that the machinery 
was run by water power; steam was only used for cooking and chemical 
28 



438 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 



purposes; the "engines" named were not steam engines, but huge beating 
machines employed in purifying the pulp: 

DIAGRAM OF ROOMS AND MACHINERY. 
NORTH. 







^ 






^ Paper Machines. 




E-i 

02 




pa 


Beating Engines. 




P5 


W 






W 


i^ 


c 


SO 


Beating Engines. 


o 

1— 1 



SOUTH. 

The long ell projecting to the west was the stock-room, in which "C" 
represents the position of the straw cutter, "B B" represents the boiler- 
room, in which was generated the steam used in pulping or cooking the 
straw in the tanks numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, in the adjoining room. Next in 
rear of the tank-room are the beating-engines, in which the pulp is washed 
free of the chemicals used in reducing the straw. Another similar engine 
room is at the north side of the tank room, both of these last being indi- 
cated by " engines." 

The north side of the building was occupied by the two paper machines 
with their heads to the west where the finished paper was delivered to 
the counters and balers at "W W." The black lines show the outer walls 
and partitions that were demolished. 

The explosion occurred in the tank-room, tank No. 3, weighing 6,000 
pounds, being lifted from its bottom and blown so high that it looked no 
larger than a flour barrel, and falling into the river, where its fall is marked by 
"5" in the diagram. The gang of hands that came on at noon were within 
three hours of the end of their stent. The midnight gang had finished 
their sleep, and supped, and were scattered around the village waiting for 
their time. 

Frank Chiha, the fireman, whose duty it was to regulate the steam 
passing into the tanks, was at his post at " B B." Jos. Stually was in the 
stock-room behind tank No. 4. Tierny was at the straw cutter, " C." 
Gilmore and Sinton were in the room over the tanks, and Herman Bechtel, 
an employe of the flouring-mill near by, was chatting with Chiha in the 
boiler room. These six were instantly killed. 

Jas. Smally, son of Joseph, was in the engine-room next the river and 
cowering in the corner, the explosion passed over him and he was unhurt. 

George Stevens, George Close (son of the proprietor of the mill), W. 
A. Forbes, machine tenders, were in the machine room, and although all 
were knocked down by the concussion, were not seriously hurt. 

Thomas Lally, engine tender, was in the engine-room north of the tanks 
and escaped without much injury. 

The ladies, Mary Ward, Jennie Warren, Jane Basor, and Martha Doch- 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 439 

erty, were at their places at the "delivery" of the paper machines, marked 
" W W." Mary Ward was struck on the back with debris. Jane Basor 
was knocked down twice by falling timbers or brick, and Martha Doch- 
erty was cut on the shoulder, but none of their injuries were serious. 

There were in the mill at the time, Mary Ward, Jennie Warren, Jane 
Basor, Mary Docherty, George Stevens, George Close, W. A. Forbes, 
Thomas Lally, James Smally, Nathaniel Gilmore, Frank Chiha, Walter 
Sinton, Patrick Tierney, Joseph Smally, Herman Bechtel, fifteen per- 
sons in all, and the last six of whom were instantly killed. 

Nathaniel Gilmore was blown many hundred feet into the air and struck 
the ground in front of the flour mill, 100 feet north of the paper mill. His 
pitchfork and lantern (he was a straw handler), made the dread journey, 
and were found with him. 

Frank Chiha went into the air and struck 100 feet west of the boilers, 
"B. B." 

Walter Sinton was blown into the air and fell seventy yards from the 
mill, west, across the street, striking and piercing the roof of a paint shop 
in the second story of Statler's wagon factory. To so great a hight did 
the impetus carry him that in his fall he made a hole in the roof as large 
as his bod}', breaking through the shingles, the inch sheathing and snap- 
ping two rafters! His body was not found until the hole in the roof was 
seen the next morning. 

Patrick Tierney's body was found near the straw cutter "C." 

Joseph Smally lay in the angle made by the south wall and the parti- 
tion between the east engine room and the tank room, in an almost 
direct line east of tank No. i, and with the tank on top of him. He was 
literally cooked with the steam and hot liquor from the tank. 

Herman Bechtel was blown west and struck the ground 500 feet from 
the mill. His head struck first and dented the hard soil six inches; the 
body bounded about eight feet. 

THE DEAD. 

Nathaniel Gilmore had been married about a year, and leaves a wife 
about to become a mother. 

Frank Chiha was an upright and exemplar}' young Bohemian, about to 
be married to a young lady of his nationality. 

Walter Sinton was a Scotchman, had been in this cou ry about three 
years, and leaves a wife and two children. 

Patrick Tierney was a widower with eight children. 

Joseph Smally was an elderly man; family all grown up. 

James Smally, working in the engine room east of the tanks, is his son. 

Herman Bechtel was the only support of an aged mother. He was a 
young man of steady habits. 

The only minor casualty of any gravity occurred to Mr. McCann, father 
to one of the mill men who would have come on at midnight. He and 
Mr. Kloos, Sr., were walking up street near the west front of the mill, 
and Mr. McCann got a broken arm. 

There were many narrow escapes. Mr. Francis, one of the mill hands, 
had just stepped from the boiler room and passed north, outside, in front 
of the machine room; his brother Charles had passed the same route but 
a moment before. 

James Smally says he felt it coming, and thought they were " blowing 
ofi','' — that is, emptying the tanks, as they did when the pulping process 



440 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

had made the straw ready for the engines; and in the next instant he 
crouched in the corner of the east engine room and the ruin flew over him, 
while his father was done to death lifteen feet from him. The shock was 
felt in the city as a distant and very heavy blast, the concussion being 
quite perceptible, and the noise being merged into one roar. Those nearer 
to the scene sa}^ that there were four distinct explosions, which was 
doubtless the case, as No. 3, would naturally cause the explosion of 1, 2, 
and 4, following in rapid succession, yet at an interval noted bv the ear. 

As the mass was lifted into the air witnesses speak of it as all looking 
red, as if a flame below reflected from it. The tank No. 3, was noted in 
its flight by many. 

Mr. Thomas Curry saw Bechtel's body in the air when it looked no 
larger than a common hat. 

Following rapidly upon the explosion came the clattering of a horse 
ridden madly to town. The rider passed through the streets crying the 
calamity aloud, and in a few minutes the road to the disaster was turned 
into a panting, pulsating artery of human sympathy. The road was 
crowded with every discription of vehicle, with people on horseback and 
on foot, and so it continued all night. A bonfire was built to illuminate 
the ruin and hundreds of men worked the night through. The bodies of 
Gilmore, Bechtel and Chiha were recovered immediately. Smally was 
found about one o'clock and Tierney some hours later, Sinton not being 
discovered until daylight. 

Description cannot convey the impression made by the scenes of that 
night. The river weirdly traced by the flickering lights and chasing 
shadows; the hollow roar of the adjacent dam; the loud mourning of men 
for their relatives, of children for their fathers, and wives for husbands 
they would meet no more; the great pieces of machinery thrown 
into fantastic confusion, shafts thrown from their seats and their length 
lost in the darkness; long belts sinuously mingling with fallen brick and 
broken beams, made a picture that sleep could not subdue into forgetful- 
ness. 

The cause of the explosion is sought in but two directions. The steam 
was delivered to the tanks by a pipe which passed over them with a small 
pipe branching to each, and each of these small pipes was fitted wdth a 
cock which could shut steam oft' of its tank, while the supply might be 
continued to the others. In the main pipe between these branch pipes and 
the bpiler, was fitted a large cock, by which the steam supply to all the 
tanks was regulated. The last that was known of Chiha he had gone up 
the steps to turn steam oft'. He may have made a mistake and turned it 
on. There was a pressure of fifty pounds in the boilers, the tanks were 
intended to carry fifty pounds; they may have been straining at a less 
pressure and an access of force by an unintended supply of steam may 
have exploded No. 3. But with that tank burst, the boiler pressure upon 
the other ceased instantly, then why did they follow if it were a steam 
explosion ? 

The testimon}- of those who saw the explosion at a distance of from a 
quarter to a half mile, is unanimous upon the red glare heretofore spoken 
of. Our opinion is that it was a chemical explosion, fortified by these 
premises : 

The straw is pulped by the use of chemicals, lime and acids, muriatic 
and sulphuric, we believe. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 441 

The immense force of the explosion could not have been gathered on a 
fifty pound pressure. 

The red glare was the combustion of the gas. 

The explosion of more than one tank, with a notable interval between, 
demonstrates that it could not have been steam, for, when No. 3 blew up 
it carried the main pipe with it and cut off all boiler pressure, then how 
could the others have exploded? 

It was gas. No. 3 was more heavily charged than the others and it 
exploded first and most forcibl}?', and the others followed in rapid succes- 
sion, the gas combusting as it came in contact with the air. 

This " chemical theory " as to the real cause of the explosion was pub- 
lished in the State Press at the time, and is fully concurred in by this his- 
torian. 

COLLATERAL INCIDENTS. 

The pearl barley mill stands to the south, and its north wall was moved 
about an inch. 

Mr. McCann, the superintendent of the paper mill, had just stepped out 
of the mill and was standing on the west front about five feet from the 
line of the explosion. He says that tank No. 3, went straight up through 
the roof to an altitude that made it look no larger than a bucket, and Sin- 
ton was on top of it. An estimate based upon the relation of the size of 
a bucket to the true size of the tank, shows the tank to have reached a 
hight of 512 feet, from which Sinton fell and pierced the roof of the build- 
ing where he was found. 

Some people in the city noted two distinct explosions. Buildings in the 
city were jarred; in one or two cases doors were jarred open, and the 
foliage of trees was seen to tremble and rustle. The first conclusion, 
from this combination of noise and motion, was that an earth quake had 
passed. 

THE INQUESTS. 

Two inquests were held. The first during the night. Coroner 
Murray summoning as a jury. Col. Graham, J. M. Sheets and John H. 
Clark. The jury found that Bechtel, Gilmore, Chiha, and Smally came 
to their death by the explosion of bleaching tanks in the Coralville oaper- 
mill. 

The second jury, consisting of John H. Clark, J. R. Hackett, and W. W. 
Kirkwood, sat this morning and reached the same finding in the cases of 
Sinton and Tierney. 

[From the Daily Press of Saturday, July 24.] 

Gilmore's body was sent to sepulture in the countr}- grave yard, starting 
at 4 o'clock this morning. 

A funeral program for the interment of the others was issued this 
morning, in English, German, and Bohemian, as follows: 

FUNERAL NOTICE. 

The funeral of Walter Sinton, Frank Chiha, Herman Bechtel, Joseph 
Smally, and Patrick Tierney, will take place from Coralville, on Sun- 
day, July 25, 1S75, at 2 o'clock. 

The services by protestant clergymen, and by Fathers Rice and Emonds, 
will be held at Coralville before the above hour, after which the proces- 



44:2 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

sion, marshaled by Col. Harvey Graham and John Xanten, will move to 
the Catholic Cemetery and Oakland, to be joined at the iron bridge by 
civic societies on foot, and to separate for the respective burial places at 
the pubHc well on Fairchild street. The public is invited to attend these 
obsequies. 

The German Benevolent Society, the Ochotnik, Bohemian Society, and 
St. Patrick's Benevolent Societ}^, will meet the procession at the bridge. 
Let there be such an expression of public sympathy upon this occasion as 
shall emphatically express all that the pubhc feels. 

The mills were promptly rebuilt, and now (1882) still continue to be 
one of the most important manufacturing enterprises in the county, and 
still owned by Mr. Close. 

IOWA city's historic w^ind storm. 

■ Wind storms are common enough, but occasionally one occurs of such 
unusual severity that it will do to keep, as a sort of historic way-mark in the 
rushing tide of events. Iowa City had her most memorable wind storm at 
about six o'clock, on the evening of June 20, 1877. The following graphic 
account of it is from the Iowa City Daily Press of the succeeding day: 

At six o'clock yesterday evening a little bank of blue cloud lay on the 
horizon; rain and storm have been so frequent of late that no attention 
was paid to this, except to surmise whether or no it would interfere with 
the University exercises. At seven o'clock there were indications of 
trouble. The line of cloud closed over the western horizon, and rolled up 
a foamy crest of white fleece, prognosticating a heavy wind. In fifteen 
minutes more the air trembled, though there was no breeze, the trees 
moaned softly, and a deep "sough" rose from the west, like the muffled 
roar of a distant waterfall, or the tread of an approaching army. Louder 
and deeper it grew, until suddenly the air grew thick with dust and leaves 
and debris, and the storm was raging through the streets. It may be 
worth remembering in this connection, that the rate of the wind was a 
little over a mile per minute. The clouds of dust rolled through the 
streets, and hanging a dun pall over the whole city. At this moment the 
streets were crowded with people hastening to the chapel. They w^ere 
driven in stores, unable to face the storm that carried before it bits of 
wood and clay, pelting like black hail: boxes, barrels, boards, shingles, 
signs, awnings, and branches of trees swept down the streets; everything 
moveable borne forward on the wings of the blast. At twenty-five min- 
utes past seven, when the storm was at its height, a dull, heavy roar, and 
a trembling of the ground told of a great shock, and on Clinton street the 
cry went up that the spire of the Presbyterian Church had fallen. Chim- 
neys uncounted were blown down, trees by the hundred were uprooted, or 
lost their limbs, and the grass and grain bowed to the earth. The wind 
did not blow in a direct line, nor did it possess a real circular motion; but 
came now from one, then from another point, with a short, jerky, twirling 
motion, nearly as powerful as the actual cyclone. The duration of the 
gale was not over fifteen minutes, during which time but little rain fell. 

The damage done bv the storm was great, the most serious being the 
destruction of the Presbyterian Church spire, with a portion of the front 
of the building. The spire was carried awa}' completely as far as to the 
wood-work, and the entire east, together with most of the south walls, 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 443 

the west and north walls, poured down bricks into the gallery and audito- 
rium of the church, throwing down the east side of the gallery wall, and 
carrying it, with part of the gallery flooring and stairways, down into the 
basement, tearing away all the east floor of the lower hall. The spire 
fell almost directly east, across Clinton street, the finial breaking down a 
panel of Mr. T. J. Cox's fence. The spire was so demolished that had it 
not been for a few sections of the roof it could not have been identified. 
With the spire came the great bell, weighing 2,874 pounds; this struck on 
its side, but received no damage, beyond breaking the iron yoke to which 
it was suspended. The spire fell entire, and did not break until it reached 
the ground. One of the great timbers drawing back toward the building, 
thrust a hole through the east wall of the tower. The damage to the 
church will not fall short of six thousand dollars, and perhaps, all things 
counted in, frescoing, ceiling up, and rebuilding, it will reach seven thou- 
sand. The spire was built on the church in 1869, and the bell put in place 
the same year. The extreme height of the spire from the ground was 
one hundred and fifty-three feet; one hundred feet of the tower fell, leav- 
ing but fifty feet remaining. 

The Congregational spire suffered severely by the storm; the west and 
north walls are cracked, the stone arches on the windows are moved out 
of place, and the spire itself has been moved several inches out of the 
perpendicular. Mr. P. P. Freeman's barn was unroofed, and part of the 
brick walls blown in. To speak of chimneys and trees carried away 
would be to give a directory of the town. 

The big barn of Mr. E. C. Lee, West Lucas, was moved off its foun- 
dation. In Coralville, Mr. Val. Miller's big corn crib was blown over on 
the track. The hay barracks of Alden Fletcher and Jabez Stevens 
were blown down. All the fences around Coralville were laid flat. 
Ham's big bulletin board, at the old iron bridge, fell before the wind. The 
barn of Mrs. W. D. Conrad, just above Deitz & Hemmer's mill, was 
demolished without serious injury, except depriving the great flocks of 
pigeons of a home. When the wind had passed there was a deluge of 
rain that lasted several hours. 

Of narrow escapes from personal injury there were many, though none 
so thrilling as that of Mr. C. L. Mozier. He was driving down Clinton 
street in his carriage, (the horse on a gentle trot) and when directly in a 
line with the spire he happened to cast his eye upward and saw a sight 
that might well chill the blood with fear — the tower leaning toward the 
street at an angle of twenty or thirty degrees, directly above him. He 
dropped the lines, and shouted to the horse; had there been a second's 
balk, had the horse hesitated a moment, he would have been crushed 
beneath the great mass. As it was, he felt the ground shake under him 
as the hind wheels of the carriage stood on the crossing, so close that for 
a moment he thought the carriage was falling a wreck beneath him. It 
was, indeed, a narrow escape, and one that Mr. Mozier will remember 
while life lasts. 

Lizzie Cook, a little girl who lives on the fair ground, was met by the 
storm-cloud in the center of the railroad bridge; she had her arms full 
of bundles, but letting go of them she clung to the rods and bolt-heads on 
the side, bracing herself against the timbers below. She saw her bunc^les 
carried across the stream by the wind, alighting on the show-giound. 
When she reached honne the prints of the screw threads on the rod were 
plainly visible on her hands. 



444 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

The gale surprised the excursionists at the Woodside boat house, but 
did no harm beyond putting many of them to considerable inconvenience, 
and detaining some of them until after 10 o'clock. 

The damage to the crops, especially corn, was quite severe. In Coral- 
ville many sheds were unroofed and trees uprooted. The storm seems 
to have been compressed in quite a narrow path, generally on the line of 
the river. 

SNOW BOUND. 

During the first week of March, 1881, Iowa City was snow bound. A 
terrible snow storm had blocked all roads, and no railroad trains had 
passed over the Rock Island road for four days; the B., C. R. & N. had 
been trainless for over a week. Trains had been abandoned and hun- 
dreds of people from all parts of the state who had gathered in the city to 
be present at the commencement of the medical schools were compelled 
to prolong their visit indefinitely. Iowa City was only connected with the 
outside world by means of the telegraph. On Saturday, March 5, the 
Re-publican issued a "snow bound edition," filled with the telegraphic 
news of the week, and columns of personals, telling who was "snowed in" 
at the city and where they belonged; also who was snowed otd of the city 
and where they were supposed to be, waiting and watching across the 
blockade. 

THE GREAT FLOOD OF 1881. 

In June and July, 1881, Johnson county experienced heavy rains and 
high water, beyond anything of the kind since 1851 — just thirty years 
before. From the reports of the State Press we compile such details as 
seem to have a live historic interest. Of the storm on June 29, 1881, the 
report says: 

Monday night's rain fall was the heaviest ever known here. The storm 
broke upon the city at about midnight, gently at first, and all the time 
without wind, but with water fall of increasing intensity until there were 
no rain drops, for it came in solid sheets. 

In the city, aside from the filling of uptown cellars, the damage was 
limited to the lines of Ralston creek and Market run. On Ralston the 
first damage done was below its junction with the long slough which runs 
into it from the southeast, crossing the Muscatine road near the old Con- 
nelly place. The two streams joined and destroyed bridge number 23 
on the B., C. R. & N. road. The stream carried off' the sidewalk bridge 
on the Avenue at Mr. E. Hughes', flooded the gardens, rose mid sides 
to the horses in Mr. Welch's stable on Mr. Patterson's lot, swept Mr. 
Beranek's garden at the Johnson street crossing, and rose to a depth of 
eighteen inches in his house; washed the B., C. R. & N. freight depot 
nearly off its feet, and weakened bridges 24 and 25 on the same line. The 
damage on Market Run, aside from some extensive chicken drowning, 
began at Bloomington street in the destruction of sidewalks and bridges. 
At Market street, the old stone arch bridge built in 1857 by Starkey & 
Boartz, was swept out, the opening was insufficient for the sudden flood 
and its freight of drift. The water gathered above the bridge on Pisha's 
lot to such a hight that it finally went clear over the street, carrying away 
the dirt cover over the arch, when the structure broke and went out with 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 445 

a roar like thunder, the heavy stones floating like corks half way across 
the park. This sudden flood released sped to the Jefferson street bridge 
south of the park and carried it out, swept out-houses and small buildings, 
left the Avenue bridge intact, but took out the foot bridge and poured into 
the flat bounded by the old banks of Ralston. There it left the horses 
and cow in Col. Trowbridge's stable swimming, drowned one pig in his 
pen and floated another out alive, rose to the chins of Stertet's tall mules in 
a stable in the rear of the old Reynold's lot, floated several piles of Por- 
ter's lumber from south of Trowbridge's up on the Washington street fill 
and turned the old bed of Ralston east of Gilbert street, into a lake of 
several feet deep. On the bank of this lake stands the Berryhill house, a 
brick building. Mr. Jack Reeder and family occupy its under story. Mr. 
Reeder had left his cow tethered to his wagon by a sixty feet rope. He 
was in bed and asleep when he heard some one call out that his cow was 
drowning. He jumped out of bed into water up to his knees. Before he 
could get his wife and child up stairs the water was over the bed. South 
of the B., C. R. & N. passenger depot the flood routed out Uncle Boone, 
the colored man, and his numerous family and they waded out to the high 
ground. The damage to city on bridges, etc., is about $1,000, that to the 
road and private property about $5,000. 

The following additional account pertains to the July storm and flood, 
from a week to ten days after the foregoing: 

June had been showery this 3'ear, but the streams were not kept full, 
though the ground was supersaturated. The June rains closed with the 
great fall of the 27th, and there was hardly any more rain in the Iowa 
river water-shed until Sunday, July 10, when it began at Marshalltown, 
distant by river from Iowa City about 200 miles. 

The rain began here on Saturday night and was very heavy. Next day 
the local drainage raised the river about 14 feet. On Monday it began to 
fall and by Tuesday night had receded five feet. Then began the second rise, 
the great flood initiated at Marshalltown, which had swept 200 miles of bot- 
tom lands, inundated three cities and reached us hungry for more spoils. 
All day the water rose. About ten o'clock it crossed the causeway to 
the lower bridge, and two hours later it swept over the much higher 
approach to the Centennial bridge. The water rose, crept, crawled up 
and up, until it was twenty-two and a half feet above low water level, had 
cut oft' travel over the bridges, and made the river in many places five 
miles wide. 

The first building to move was Dietz & Hemmer's grain house, stand- 
ing near their mill, a mile north of the city. When it moved into the 
stream the water was within five feet of the floors of the two iron wagon 
bridges and that near to the bottom cord of the Rock Island railroad 
bridge. In the emergency Mr Hemmer ran to the river and put out crews 
in a half dozen skiffs and they, by dint of pushing and pulling, got the 
house out of the current, and ran it upon a high point just north of the 
east end of the Centennial bridge. Here it was in constant danger of 
swinging into the stream, and attacking the bridge. The causeway is at 
that end of the bridge, and if the house could be swung into the water on 
the upper side of that it would be safe. Messrs. Gil. and Frank Fletcher 
went out in skiffs, chopped through and fastened ropes around the corner 
posts; these were made fast on the shore. The Rock Island company 
sent up its bridge gang, and by their help, when the water rose so as to 



446 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

float the house otl'the point, it was pulled in to the east bank and made 
safe. This bit of good work saved the county about $35,000 of bridges, 
and the Rock Island company as much more, for the house was loaded 
with tive tons of grain and mill-feed, and would have swept the channel. 
The village of Coralville, one mile up stream from this city, suffered 
severely. All of its lower part was deserted; about twenty houses were 
inundated. The manufacturers there suffered. The river-wall of M. T. 
Close & Son's great paper-mill fell in upon the machinery, and the dam 
was greatly injured by channelling around its east end. 

Mr. Frank Fletcher's ice-house on the bank suffered a considerable 
loss. Between Coralville and the city Mr. Wm, Berger's ice-house was 
not only emptied, but floated ofl'and destroyed, and Mr. Warner's large 
ice-house near Dietz & Hemmer's mill was emptied. 

Fortunately our city stands high above all possible floods, with only a 
small part of its homes below the cruel line of inundation. That lower 
part was covered, driving about twenty families to higher ground. iVt 
the foot of the Dubuque street hill, below the Rock Island railroad track 
skiffs debarked for voyages all over the bottom, to the glass works, pack- 
ing house, and distillery, all of which, however, were above the flood line, 
and suflered no injury. 

The damage is inestimable. The bottom farms through Madison, 
Penn, Monroe, JefTerson, Newport, Lucas, Libert}^, Pleasant Valley, and 
Fremont townships were laid waste. 

When the flood was at its height on Tuesday Mr. John P. Dostal 
brought his steam yacht down from the club grounds near Butler's land- 
ing, entered Coralville under full speed and steamed right down the main 
street in front of the paper-mill, across Clear creek bridge, over Dietz & 
Hemmer's dam, and landed at the city. His steamer was covered with 
flags, and the daring voyage was the sensation of the day. Coralville was 
short of provisions and telephoned an order to Mr. Hummer's wholesale 
grocery. The goods were put upon the steamer and delivered on the up 
trip. This is an incident to remember, for half a life-time will probably 
pass before another steamboat is seen in the streets of Coralville. 

In connection with the above accounts of the watery wastefulness of 
1881, the following historic reminiscence was published: 

THE PIONEER FLOOD OF 1851. 

The first great flood after the white settlement of this valley occurred 
in 1851. That rise came after a wet season that kept the stream about 
full, and one that was unexampled in the violence of its rains, deepening 
to a waterfall early in August of ten inches in twenty-four hours! The 
water rose to the west side of the Universit}- campus, which was then the 
State-house yard. There were but few houses on the bottoms, but they 
were deluged. In one on the second bench, occupied by Mr. T. W. Wil- 
son, the water rose two and a half feet, expelling the family. The Indians 
during that flood pointed out a high-water mark one foot above the high- 
est point reached, which was, at this place, twenty-five feet above low-water 
mark. Within a few weeks of thirty years the flood of 1851 has been 
duplicated. 

THE STEIN MURDER AND SUICIDE. 

Nov. 5, 1881, a man known as Anton Stein, but whose real name 
proved to be A. Skierecki, enacted a horrible tragedy in Iowa City. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 447 

He was thirty-seven years of age. He came to America in 1877, and to 
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1879. In June, 1880, he courted and married the 
widow of Mr. Goering, at Cedar Rapids, the daughter of P. Hess, a Ger- 
man family that settled in Iowa City in 1862. 

Stein's wife commenced a suit for divorce, charging extreme cruelty 
and gross neglect, and such other charges as are usually made for grounds 
of divorce. On the 2d day of November, 1881, the suit was heard before 
Judge Hedges, in the Johnson county court, and a divorce was granted to 
her. The State Press gave the following additional particulars: 

Stein passed that night at his boarding house, Mrs. Spryng's on south 
Dubuque street. He rose late last Saturday morning [Nov. 5], dressed 
himself elaborately in a suit his wife's money had bought, and asked for 
breakfast. The landlady told him it was too late for breakfast, but he 
could have a cup of coflee. He took this and left the house a little after 
8 o'clock. He next visited Mr. Boal's office, and had such a threatening 
air that the office boy, who was alone, locked the door. Mrs. Stein was 
living with her father and mother, on Market street, next door west of the 
Union bakery, in a modest one-story house, built by the late Geo. L. 
Ruppert for his venerable father. Stein was under injunction of the court 
to keep away from this house. From Mr. Boal's office he went to Luse's 
shoe shop, where Mr. Hess worked, and finding him there at his bench, 
went straightway to the ungarded house, to seek his prey in the defense- 
less woman and little children. The house has a front room, entered by 
an outer door in the southeast corner; next north of the front room is a 
bed room and sort of sewing room and snuggery, and north of that the 
kitchen, which opens to the east on a pleasant porch. Lizzie was in this 
kitchen, tending to her house plants and singing over the congenial duty, 
for she was young, of kind and gentle heart, and a mild temper and innate 
ladyhood that were not scarred deeply by the miserable mistake of her 
unhappy marriage. The shadow of Stein was cast athwart the window, 
and he raised the latch and entered. She cried to her mother ^'-cr komvitf'' 
'.' He comes," and turned to face him. He asked her to bring him a book 
which was in the middle room, and belonged to him. She went for it, 
and returned with it and his mother's picture, which she handed to him 
first. The cold-blooded wretch took in his left hand the picture of the 
woman who bore him, and armed with a glitterering knife sharpened to 
exquisite ^^g'i, with his right hand stabbed at the bosom of the woman 
he had at the altar sworn to cherish! The old mother was away in the 
little front room, and ran to fight for her child. Lizzie struggled with all 
the desperation of the strong young *life which was draining from stab 
after stab. At length smitten by twelve wounds, the floor slippery with 
her blood, she fell, and the wretch knelt upon her breast and finished his 
butchery by nearly severing her head from the body. Rising he turned 
upon her mother, and gave her a ghastly gash in the throat, not severing 
the windpipe or artery, however. Mrs. Hess ran then into the street, 
bleeding terribly, and screaming, for in that intense fight with the bl(>ody 
butcher, the only words spoken had been the two, "I will," uttered by 
Lizzie just as the swift knife was falling upon her. The alarm, from 
mouth to mouth, and by many telephones, speedily gathered a great 
crowd. Stein stood for a moment in the door, menacing the crowd. Dr. 
Lytle pushed past him. He re-entered the kitchen, stood for a moment 



448 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

in the door of the middle room, and fell'on his back, dead. He had proba- 
bly prepared himself with a dose of Prussia acid, and with it ended where 
he should have begun. 

A moment after, we saw them. She lay, as she had fallen. The clouds 
were clearing away. The sun kissed the flowers that had been her 
latest care, and passing them Hghted up her crown of rich hair, and her 
blood that besprinkled and stained its glory glistened like jewels. In the 
front room as he fell lay the damned butcher, who, without cause, excuse 
or provocation, had rewarded her confidence with abuse, repaid her 
kindness with beatings, had betrayed the privacies of her life, reduced her 
fortune, preyed upon her peace and finally murdered her. 

Weepingand wandering around were her little girl and boy; sunny 
memories of happier days were they; heartache and tears only could 
make answer to their pitiful loneliness. 

The murderer's body was taken away, and finally was given over to the 
Medical Department for a post mortem, to learn if possible the poison 
that killed him. 

The little girl and boy have since died. The mother-in-law is still liv- 
ing, having fully recovered from her frightful wound in the throat, but not 
without some ugly scars. 

EXCURSION TO DES MOINES — 1882. 

December 6, 1882, the lozva City Republican led an excursion of citi- 
zens of Johnson county on a trip to Des Moines. The State Register 
reported that there were near 700 of the excursionists. The C, R. I. & 
P. railroad furnished the train; and it was accompanied by the University 
band and the West Liberty band. At Des Moines the visitors were 
escorted from the depot to Moore's Opera House, and here speeches of 
welcome were made by Capt. P. V. Carey, Mayor of Des Moines; Hon. 
B. R. Sherman, Governor of Iowa, and U. S. Senator Geo. G. Wright. 
Responses were made on behalf of Iowa City by Dr. E. F. Clapp, and 
on behalf of Johnson county by ex-State senator S. H. 'Fairall. Hon. 
James Wilson, congressman elect from the Fifth district (which includes 
Johnson county) was also present and made a speech. 

After dinner a train of carriages was provided by the Des Moines city 
council, and many of the excursionists visited the magnificent new capitol 
building, of which every loyal lowan feels justly proud. During the 
excursion day a severe snow storm, occurred, and culminated in setting 
the thermometer down to 17 ° below zero at the U. S. signal station in 
Des Moines. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 449 

CHAPTER VIL— PART % 

PROMIJJENT CITIZENS DECEASED. 

Governor Lucas. — John Gilbert. — Joseph T. Fales. — Capt. F. M. Irish. — Dr. Wm. Vogt. — 
Hon. Rush Clark. 

ROBERT LUCAS, THE FIRST GOVERNOR OF IOWA. 

Robert Lucas, the subject of this sketch, was the fourth son and ninth 
child of William and Susannah Lucas, and was born April 1, ITSl, in Jef- 
ferson county, Virginia, a few miles from Harper's Ferry, where his ances- 
tors settled more than a hundred years ago. His father, who was 
descended from William Penn, was born January 18, 1743, and his mother, 
of Scotch extraction, October 8, 1745. They were married about the 
year 1Y60, and reared a family of six sons and six daughters. His father, 
who had served as a captain in the Continental army during the revolution- 
ary war, and had distinguished himself at the battle of Bloody Run, emi- 
grated with his family to Scioto county, Ohio, at the very beginning of 
the present century. In leaving the slave state of Virginia for the free 
embryo commonwealth of Ohio, which had not as yet been admitted into 
the Union, the elder Lucas performed one of those noble and generous 
acts so characteristic of the better class of those who were bred under the 
patriarchal system in the olden time. He freed every one of his adult 
slaves who wished to remain in Virginia, and provided for tlie younger 
ones, most of whom he took with him to Ohio, till they became of legal 
age and able to support themselves. 

The early education of Gov. Lucas was obtained chiefly before leaving 
Virginia from an old Scotch schoolmaster named McMullen, who taught 
him mathematics and surveying, the latter atibrding him remunerative 
employment immediately upon his entrance into the new and unchained 
country of Ohio. 

On the 3d day of April, 1810, Gov. Lucas was married at Portsmouth, 
the county seat of Scioto county, to Elizabeth Brown, who died Oct. 18, 
1812, leaving an infant daughter, the late Mrs. Minerva E. B. Sumner, of 
West Liberty, Muscatine county, Iowa. On March 7, 1816, he formed a 
second matrimonial alliance; this time with Friendly A. Sumner, a young 
lady of twenty years, a native of Vermont, but who had recently immi- 
grated to Ohio with her father's family from Haverhill, Coos county. New 
Hampshire. Of this marriage, there were four sons and three daughters. 
Edward W. Lucas, lieutenant colonel of the 14th Iowa volunteers, was 
taken prisoner with his regiment by the Confederates, at the battle of 
Shiloh. 

The first public office held by Gov. Lucas was that of county surveyor 
of Scioto county, the commission from Gov. Edward Tiffin, of Ohio, 
appointing him such being dated December 26, 1803, when Gov. Lucas 



450 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

was in his twenty-third year. The certificate of the associate judge of the 
court of common pleas is signed by Joseph Lucas, an elder brother, is 
dtaed January 3, 1SU4, and shows that more than one member of the Lucas 
family were people of standing there in that day. On the 16th day of 
December, 1S05, Gov. Lucas was commissioned by Gov. Tiffin a justice 
of the peace for Union township, Scioto county, for three years. 

His first military appointment was that of lieutenant, also from Gov. 
Tiffin, and dated at the then capital of Ohio, Chillicothe, Nov. 14, 1803, 
authorizing him to raise twenty men to assist in filling Ohio's quota of 
five hundred volunteers called for by the president to meet an expected 
emergency in the anticipated refusal of the Spanish officers at New 
Orleans to give up to the United States the country of Louisiana, ceded 
to them by the French republic, and which congress had authorized the 
president to take possession of. His commission, issued subsequently, 
was a lieutenant of the third company of militia in the county of Scioto, 
first brigade, second division, and was dated the 24th of May, 1804. He 
was subsequently promoted through all the military grades to major-gen- 
eral of Ohio militia, which latter promition was conferred on him in 1818. 

The breaking out of the war of 1812 found Robert Lucas a brigadier- 
general of Ohio militia, and as such he had much to do in raising troops 
and encouraging enlistments for Gen. Hull's northwestern army, then 
organizing for its disastrous march to Detroit and Canada. About the 
same time he received notice of his appointment as captain in the regular 
army, and afterwards (July 6, 1812,) was commissioned and assigned to 
the nineteenth infantry; but before orders or assignment reached him 
from Washington, he had obeyed the command of Gov. Meigs, of Ohio, 
to turn out of his brigade twelve hundred men to march to Detroit, and 
for himself, with a company of men, to repair to Greenville to watch the 
movements of the Indians, and subsequently to visit Detroit previous to 
the army marching. Having volunteered his services in the dangerous 
capacity of a sec i ., he started with minute instructions from Gov. Meigs 
and Gen. Hull, or. the 25th of May, 1812, for Detroit, where he arrived 
on the 3d of June, and returning, met the army in the wilderness, to pilot 
it back to Detroit. Gov. Lucas' elder brother, Joseph, whom we have 
before noticed as figuring as an associate judge, was captain of company 
I, in Col. McArthur's regiment, which formed a part of Hull's army, and 
Gov. Lucas was enrolled as a member of this company, although he was 
a captain, unassigned, in the regular army. But his chief employment 
was that of a sp}^ though we find him acting during the campaign in 
various capacities, scouting, spying, carrying a musket, heading the rang- 
ers, making assaults, reconnoitering, bringing up trains, piloting the army 
etc. On the 12th of July, 1812, the main part of Hull's army, with Col. 
Lewis Cass at their head, crossed the Detroit river into Canada, opposite 
Detroit, and with them Gov. Lucas, who was one of the first of the 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 451 

invading army to land on the enemy's soil. From July 16 to July 21, there 
was a constant skirmishing between the American and British forces 
especiall}^ at a bridge over the river Canaan, five miles from Maiden, 
Canada, where a lively fight occurred, and much confusion taking place 
in the American ranks, many of the men called on Gov. Lucas to take 
command, which he was obliged to decline, as their own officers were 
present. 

The civil employments to which Gov. Lucas was called by the execu- 
tive or the people of the State of Ohio were many, and some of them the 
highest in the gift of the commonwealth. At the time of his second mar- 
riage, in 1816, he was, and had been for some time, a member of the Ohio 
legislature, serving successivel}' for nineteen years in one or the other 
branch of Ohio's general assembly, and in the course of his legislative 
career presiding over first one and then the other branch. In 1S20, and 
again 1S28, he was ^elected one of the presidential electors of Ohio. 
In May, 1832, at Baltimore, Maryland, he presided over the first demo- 
cratic national convention, — that which nominated Andrew Jackson for 
his second term as president, and Martin VanBuren for vice president. 
In 1832 he was elected governor of Ohio, and re-elected in 1834, (defeat- 
ing Darius Lyman, who ran on the anti-masonic ticket), and declined a 
third nomination for the same office. 

It was while he filled the executive chair that the perplexing and angry 
controversy arose between Ohio and Michigan concerning the boundary 
line between these states; and it is a singular coincidence that during 
Gov. Lucas' administration as governor of Iowa, the very same contro- 
versy should have arisen between Iowa and Missouri, to be settled finally, 
as was that between Ohio and Michigan, according to the claims and 
views of Gov. Lucas. 

Gov. Lucas' early residence, as we have before mentioned, was at 
Portsmouth, Scioto county. From here, in 1816, he removed to Piketon, 
Pike county, which continued to be his home till his removal to Iowa in 
1838. 

Under an act of congess "to divide the territor}^ of Wisconsin and to 
establish the territorial government of Iowa," approved June 12, 1838, the 
subject of our sketch was appointed by President Van Buren, governor 
of the territor}^ of Iowa, — a position which carried with it ex-officio the 
duties and responsibilities, in addition to those of executive, of superin- 
tendent of Indian affairs. His commission, transmitted to him by John 
Forsyth, then secretary of state of the United States, bore date the 7th of 
July, 1838, and reached him at his residence. Pike county, Ohio, ten days 
afterwards. 

His appointment was effected through the instrumentality of Thomas 
L. Harner, of Brown county, Ohio, afterwards a distinguished field and 
general officer in the Mexican war, but then a member of congress from 



452 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Ohio, and to whom President Grant was indebted for his cadetship at 
West Point, an appointment which, however, had been first offered to Gov. 
Lucas's son, Edward W. Lucas, but declined. 

A journey from the interior of Ohio to the banks of the upper Missis- 
sippi was then a matter of weeks, and not of hours, as now. So that, 
although Gov. Lucas set out from his home on the 25th of July, delaying 
on his route only a few days at Cincinnati, to make arrangements for the 
selection of the books of the territorial library, for which congress had 
appropriated five thousand dollars, it was not till nearly the middle of 
August [August 13,J that he reached Burlington (then the temporary seat 
of the territorial government), whose citizens received him with the honor 
of a public dinner. 

His family remained at their home in Ohio, and did not all join him in 
Iowa for more than a year after his appointment, but he was accompanied 
from Cincinnati to Burlington by' Jesse Williams, as clerk in the Indian 
department, and by Theodore S. Parvin, as his private secretary. 

GOVERNOR LUCAs' COMMISSION. 

The original document which commissioned Robert Lucas as governor 
of Iowa, was presented by his daughter, Mrs. Smith, to Col. S. C. Trow- 
bridge, and by him placed in the State Historical Society's collection. The 
following is an accurate copy of it: 

Martin Van Buren, President of the United States. — To all that 
shall see these presents., greeting: 

Know yc, that reposing special trust and confidence in the integrit}- and 
abilities of Robert Lucas, of Ohio, I have nominated and by and with 
the advice and consent of the senate, do appoint him governor of the 
territory of Iowa, and do authorize and empower him to execute and fulfill 
the duties of that office according to law, and to have and to hold the said 
office with all the powers, privileges and emoluments thereunto of right 
appertaining unto him the said Robert Lucas, for the term of three years 
from the day of the date hereof, unless the president of the United States 
for the time being should be pleased sooner to revoke and determine this 
commission. 

' — - ) In testimony whereof, I have caused these letters to be 

SEAL. \ made patent, and the seal of the United States to be hereto 
— ^r— ) aflixed. 

Given under my hand at the City of Washington, the seventh day of 
July, in the year of our Lord one thousand, eight hundred and thirty-eight, 
and of the independence of the United States of America the sixty-third. 
By the President, M. Van Buren. 

John Forsyth, Secretai'y of State. 

The State of Ohio: Personally appeared before me the undersigned, 
one of the justices of the Supreme Court of the United States, Robert 
Lucas, who was duly sworn to support the constitution of the United 
States, and that he will faithfully, to the best of his abilities, discharge the 
duties of governor of the territory of Iowa. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 20th of July, 1838. 

John McLean. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 453 

Gov. Lucas' first official act, as executive of Iowa, was to issue a pro- 
clamation, dated August 13, 1838, dividing the territory into eight repre- 
sentative districts, apportioning the members of the council and house of 
representatives among the nineteen counties then composing the territory, 
and appointing the second Monday in September ensuing, for the election 
of members of the legislative assembly and a delegate to congress. 

His first message to the legislative assembly, after its organization, was 
dated November 12, 1838. 

Gov. Lucas announced in his message of November 5, 1839, to the 
legislative assembly, that the territory of Iowa had advanced since its 
organization in improvement, wealth and population (which latter was 
estimated at fifty thousand) without a parallel in history, and recom- 
mended the necessary legislation preparatory to the formation of a state 
government. The governor's recommendation was followed by the legis- 
lature, but the proposition to form a state government for Iowa was over- 
ruled by the people, and only consummated in 181:6. 

Among the latest of Governor Lucas' official acts in his capacity of 
executive, was a proclamation, dated the 30th of April, 1841, calling the 
legislature to assemble, for the first time, at Iowa City, the new capital, 
on the first Monday of December succeeding, in accordance with a legis- 
lative act passed at the previous session. 

The democratic administration of Van Buren having given place to the 
whig government of Harrison, on the 25th of March, 1851, John Cham- 
bers was appointed territorial governor of Iowa to succeed Governor 
Lucas, whose term would have at any rate come to a close by limitation 
on the Irth of July succeeding. 

After retiring from the office of governor of Iowa, Governor Lucas 
removed to the land, adjoining Iowa City on the southeast, which he had 
purchased from the government when it was first brought into market, 
where he spent the most of his remaining days in the management of his 
farm, the care of his family, and the education of his children. From these 
grateful employments he was to some extent withdrawn for a time by the 
people of Johnson and Iowa counties, who elected him as one of their 
members of the first state constitutional convention; Hon. S. H. McCrory 
and Hon. Henry Felkner, being his colleagues from this district. He was 
also a member of the first board of trustees of the State University. 

From early youth. Governor Lucas had been a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, and devoted much time to the composition of 
hymns and verses of a religious character, many of which are by no means 
destitute of true poetical merit. 

He predicted, on account of slavery, the civil war, which since his death 

has steeped the land in blood. He was warmly attached to the political 

party whose principles he had espoused in youth; yet he did not hesitate 

to sever his connection with it when he considered its course reprehensible, 

29 



454 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

as he did when he withdrew his support from the presidential nominee of 
his party (Franklin Pierce) in 1852. 

In person, Governor Lucas was tall, being six feet in stature, active and 
wiry. His complexion presented that combination of colors rarely 
blended — black hair, a fair skin, and blue eyes. His aquiline nose was 
long and thin. Though stern in camp and council, in private life he was 
exceedingly gentle, pleasant and kind, the companion of children and the 
friend of boys, though his daughters contend that he loved his girls the 
best, while all agree that he was the best of play-fellows. It is therefore 
unnecessary to add that he was an indulgent father as well as an affec- 
tionate husband. All men who knew him, even those who differed from 
him on questions of public polity, accord to him native ability of a high 
order, incorruptible honesty of purpose, and unswerving patriotism. 

Governor Lucas abstained from alcohol in all its forms, from hard cider 
to modern whisky, and was a member of the first temperance society 
organized in the United States. Though not rich in humor or wit, he was 
an exceedingly eloquent and popular stump speaker. Leaving the field 
of anecdote and pleasantry to others, he dealt in sledge-hammer facts and 
arguments, presented in a fluent and earnest manner, which carried the 
crowd. 

His death was not the result of disease, but from exhaustation and the 
weight ot years. His physicians, Drs. M. J. Morsman and Henry Mur- 
ray of Iowa City, were assiduous in their attentions to him, but without 
avail. On the 7th of February, 1853, full of years and honors, gray-haired 
and venerable, in the presence of all the members of his family save one, 
without regrets, struggles, or objections, he quietly passed earth's bound- 
ary fine, to the confines of immortality. 

His death occurred just as the Sabbath night had worn into the morn 
of Monday. Charles Cartwright and Col Trowbridge composed his 
body for the grave. His funeral took place the succeeding Tuesday, and 
was numerously attended — the refigious services being conducted at the 
Methodist church, on the corner of Dubuque and Jefterson streets, by the 
pastor, the Rev. Thomas E. Corkhill, and at the grave by the Masonic 
order, of which he was a member of high rank, under the superintendence 
of Hon. Ezekiel Clark and Col. S. C. Trowbridge. 

Gov. Lucas' tombstone is one of the historic monuments pointed out to 
visitors at Oakland cemetery in Iowa City, from which this historian 
copied the fofiowing inscription in July, ]882: 

ROBERT LUCAS 

Died Feb. 7, 1853, 
Aged 71 ys. 10 ms. and 6 ds. 

He served his country in the war of 1812, was elected twice Governor 
of Ohio, and was the organic Governor of Iowa territory. 

I am the resurection and the fife; He that befieveth in me, though he 
be dead, yet shafi he live. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 455 

On another face of the monument is this inscription: 

"Friendly A., 
Wife of Robert Lucas, and dauj^hter of Capt. E. C. Sumner. 
Born in Vermont, May 25, r796. Died Dec. 18, 1873; aged 78." 



Mrs. Lucas was a relative of the distinguished senator and statesman 
Charles Sumner, of Massachusetts. 

JOHN GILBERT, 

is supposed to have been the first white man who ever set foot upon the 
soil of Johnson county, and his name is identified with many historic inci- 
dents of the first settlement, from the arrival of Eli Myers and Philip 
Clark, in 1836, till Gilbert's death in March, 1839. [See article headed 
"Early Trading Houses;" also, diagram on page 207.] The following 
sketch of Gilbert's life is from the recollections of Col. S. C. Trowbridge: 

"John Gilbert — the trader among this tribe [Musquaka Indians] at this 
time — I knew well; made his acquaintance soon after my arrival, in 1837; 
became intimate with him, and to a great extent, shared his confidence. 
His real name was John W. Prentice, a cousin of George D. Prentice, of 
the Louisville Joiirnal. He was a remarkable man for the position he 
occupied. A fine scholar and an excellent business man; far above the 
average of men in scholarly acquirements and business capacity. Was a 
native of the State of New York. Lost heavily in canal contracts. That, 
together with a train of other serious troubles, induced him to abandon 
his home at Lockport, N. Y., and make a change of name and business. 
He entered the service of the Green Bay Trading Company at some point 
in Michigan (then a territory). Learned the Indian language; secured 
the confidence of the company by his capacity, faithfulness and integrity; 
was sent to various points among the Indians to establish branch posts; in 
that capacity came among the Foxes on the Iowa. Died in March, 1839. 
A few years afterwards his remains were disinterred from their first rest- 
ing place near his old trading house, by a few of his old friends, among 
whom were Eli Myers, S. H. McCrory, Philip Clark, Henry Felkner, 
A. D. Stephens and others, and transferred to the village grave-yard. It 
was our intention then, and for a long time afterwards, to erect a suitable 
monument at his grave; but it was neglected from year to year, and was 
never done. Finally, some miscreant, for some purpose, perhaps for fire- 
wood, removed the wooden slabs from his grave; and then, among the 
rapidly multiplying graves of the city cemetery, his was lost. No one can 
now tell the exact spot where rests the ashes of the first white man that 
trod the soil of Johnson county." 

Capt. F. M. Irish, in his reminiscences, wrote thus about the subject of 
this sketch: 

"It is due to the memory of Mr. John Gilbert to say that the universal testi- 
mony of those who knew him, attributes all the noble traits that make a 



456 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

man. Of fine business qualifications, kind and hospitable, possessing a 
consummate knowledge of the Indian character and language, he rendered 
important service to the early settlers, and for the kindness of this gentle- 
man and that of Mr. Wheaton Chase, they acknowledge themselves 
deeply indebted." 

REMINISCENCES OF JOSEPH T. FALES. 

Mr. Fales was for many years a resident of Iowa City, and well known 
to the early settlers. He was the first State Auditor of Iowa. In the 
autograph roll of members of the old Iowa City "Far West" Sons of 
Temperance organization, his name appears plain and distinct. A writer 
in the State Journal, of Des Moines, in February, 1875, gives some 
reminiscences of early Iowa history, in which Mr. Fales is incidentally 
mentioned — thus : 

In 1835, what is now called Wisconsin, then sometimes spelled Ouiskon- 
san and later Wiskonsin — Minnesota, Iowa, and all the territory- west 
thereof to the Pacific Ocean, was called Wisconsin territory. Belmont, 
not very far northeast of Dubuque, was the first capital. That point had 
been selected by the governor, but at this session Burlington went into 
the moving business, and succeeded in having the capital removed to Bur- 
lington. At the first session in Burlington, friend Fales was chosen door- 
keeper of the house. In July, 1838, all west of the Mississippi and north 
of the Missouri, was organized as Iowa territory, and the first legislature 
of Iowa was held in November. Mr. Fales was chosen chief clerk of the 
house, which contained twenty-five members, the council (now senate) 
thirteen. He was re-elected in 1839-10-41-12-1:3-14, thus holding the 
office longer than any Other person. Mr. F. was a democrat, and when- 
ever he was elected clerk of the house, B. P. Wallace, a whig, was chosen 
secretary of the council (senate). One time they went to Iowa City and 
found the politics of the two houses reversed. Now do you suppose that 
these faithful clerks "flopped over?" Not a bit of it. Their services 
however were indispensible; so the democratic council elected Fales as 
its secretary, and the whig house chose the whig Wallace as its clerk. 
No dead lock about that. 

PETER H. PATTERSON 

was born in 1795, in Pendleton county, Virginia. His father was Scotch- 
Irish, and his mother German. When he was quite a lad his parents 
removed to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he grew up to manhood, and 
was here married to Miss Elizabeth Bausman. Immediately after mar- 
riage they started for the wild country of Indiana, where he first located 
in Rushville. After a short time he changed his location to Covington, 
Indiana, where he lived and pacticed law for many years (until 1841), 
when he started for Iowa, with his large family, consisting of his wife and 
the following children : Lorina, married to Judge James P. Carleton ; Ema- 
line, Antis H. Patterson, now a practicing attorney in Washington, Iowa; 
Lemuel B. Patterson, a practicing attorney at Iowa City; Onias A. Pat- 
terson, now a resident of Sioux City; Hester Patterson, now Mrs. Carrol, 
of this county; Eliza E. Patterson, and W. W. Patterson. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 457 

On his first arrival in Iowa City, he lor a short time was a law partner 
•of his son-in-law, the late Judge James P. Carleton, but afterwards was 
engaged in farming adjoining to Iowa City. In 1850 the California 
excitement induced him to go, with many others, to explore the golden 
shores of the Pacific, with the intention of removing his family as soon 
as he could make a proper selection of a place to settle. He landed in 
Sacramento, California, where he suddenly died of cholera, on October 27, 
1850. 

He was a self-made man, without the advantages of early education; 
a strong mind, full of determination, energy, and pluck; of unbounded 
generosit}^; a zealous friend of every public enterprise. The causes of 
religion, temperance, and education found in him a man ever ready to 
champion and defend their interests. To him must be awarded the first 
conception of the location of the Iowa State University at Iowa City. On 
the 18th day of February, 181:7, the legislature, then sitting in Iowa City, 
passed an act to re-locate the seat of government of the state. Our citi- 
zens were depressed and exasperated over this action. He conceived of 
the idea to ask of the legislature the location of the University in Iowa 
City, as compensation for the removal of the capital. He immediately 
drafted a petition for that purpose, and started out amongst the citizens 
for their signatures. To his great surprise he met much opposition from 
our own people, some of whom were bitterly opposed to it. They were 
mad at the removal, but cherished the delusive hope that if they did not 
get the location of the University fixed here, they should be able to have 
the act for the re-location of the capital repealed at the next meeting of 
the legislature. He, however, persisted in his effort for signatures to his 
petition, and procured the names of 225 persons; and on the 19th day of 
February, 1847, he placed it in the hands of Smiley H. Bonham, the rep- 
resentative from Johnson county, who on the afternoon of same day, pre- 
sented the petition to the House of Representatives. On the 20th, Mr, 
Bonham introduced a bill in accordance with the prayer of the petition, 
and the bill finally passed both houses on February 23, 1847, thus locating 
the University here. 

i_ Mr. Patterson was in religion a devoted Methodist. His home, where- 
ever located, was a free inn for all the travelers of that denomination. In 
the latter part of his life he was a local preacher, and frequently supplied 
the pulpit for destitute congregations. 

His wife, who survived him many years, was loved and respected by 
all the old settlers with whom she came in contact. A woman of retiring dis- 
position, and possessing in a rare degree all the qualities of a loving mother 
and steadfast christian. 

FREDERICK MACY IRISH, 

•was born in the city of Hudson, Columbia county, New York, March 
13, 1801 ; died in Iowa City, February 16, 1875. 



458 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Shortly after the close of the Revolutionary war, a colony left the island 
of Nantucket, and settled at Hudson, New York. They were all of sea- 
faring families for generations beyond their exodus. 

With this colony came Jonathan Irish with his wife, Ruth, the father 
and mother of Frederick Macy Irish, and of five other sons and six 
daughters. From Hudson they moved back into the wild wilderness, and 
made a pioneer home in the deep forest land, away from sea sights and 
the tempting sail. Here their family of twelve all grew to be men and 
women. 

But how futile the forest refuge against that long hereditary passion for 
the sea. First, an older son went out from the fireside, and was a sailor; 
years went by, and he never came back. A few leagues out from Java, 
homeward bound, the soft sea was his sepulcher, and there is his resting 
place. 

Upon Frederick the sea spell was strong, and before his majority he 
found his way back to the island of his ancestors, and realized a dream 
that had been the very companion of his infancy, by going on the same 
pathless way of his forefathers. 

Shipping with the famed captain Ray, on the good ship "Stonington," 
whose stout timbers rest now on the bottom in the Straits of Magellan, he 
entered the whaling service, and followed it for several years. 

But finally homeward he came, to find the family scattered, as in 
nature's order; brothers and sisters married, new homes made and new 
faces in them. So he too settled down: the waves wooed him no more, 
and having profitable engagement with the old Dry Dock Company, in 
service in New York harbor, where his sailing knowledge availed him, 
there came into his life the tender longing, out of which homes grow up 
and firesides come, in which men and women reach their best estate; and 
on December 12, 1826, he and Elizabeth Ann Robinson, of the village of 
Mamaroneck, West Chester county, New York, were married, and 
blessed with more of health and manly and womanly attractions than fall 
to the lot of many, they entered upon that long companionship that lasted 
until its fiftieth year was but a litde further on. 

Here a son was born and died in infancy, and a daughter came to pass 
away in her sweet childhood, and another son was born. Ere many years 
the past fever for the sea was supplanted by a passion for migration to the 
new country west of the mountains. Leaving wife and children under 
the family roof, he came to Indiana, where at the village of Terre Haute, 
he built the first foundry and machine shop in the Wabash valley, and 
entered upon the task of introducing Jethro Wood's new iron mold-board 
plow upon the prairies; for our grandfathers turned the glebe with a 
wooden mold-board. When the home was ready the family journeyed to 
it by slow canal boat and mountain stage. 

Here he prosecuted a large business, going with steamboats and flat- 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 459 

boats through the network of rivers, for the coal of Pennsylvania, and the 
iron of Tennessee; but here, after the expense of vast energies, came busi- 
ness disasters; and the young pioneer lost all that he had so stoutly built, 
and found a shelterless family in his arms and no hope of fortune again, 
only in the wilderness. 

Farewell to the grave of the little girl, who had died meantime, — and 
with the family, which now consisted of Charles and Gilbert, the former 
born in New York city, and the latter in Terre Haute, sent with their 
mother to a temporary home, he invested all he had in a horse, and mount- 
ing it, followed the sun. 

Iowa was then much talked of a? the rising new frontier of civilization, 
and here he came in 1838— stopping first at Burlington. 

Congressional action was then had, or pending, whereby the capital 
was to be set back nearer to the Indian hne, and soon Iowa City had a 
place on the map and was the capital. Here he came, and with sturdy 
Walter Butler, Henry Felkner, McCrory, Philip Clark, and the long list 
of pioneers, made ready for the seat of government, which came to the 
town in 1840, and rested here until 1857. 

Here then, after the suns of every latitude had bronzed his face, and 
many trials had come to him, he came to stay. In life's very prime 
he entered in earnest upon the making ot a home. A fortunate entry of 
land from the government, in the course of years brought him affluence 
Here his three youngest children, Thomas Myrick, John Powell and Ruth 
Elizabeth, were born. 

The last twenty years of his life were passed in total blindness, a sud- 
den attack of neuralgia having destroyed his vision. But let it be writ- 
ten that the sorest trials of his life came through loyal adherence to the 
bruised fortunes of his friends, from whom no service in his power was 
ever withheld. 

Largely self-cultured, he had a wide acquaintance with literature. 
But a few years before his death, assisted by his daughter, as amanuensis, 
he prepared for the ''Annals of lowa^'' a history of Johnson county— a 
well written and entertaining sketch. 

The manner of his death, while intensely distressing, was as near a real- 
ization of his often expressed wish as was possible. He kept a careful 
boy to drive a trusty horse, and so was accustomed to ride at pleasure 
from his home to the city. At one o'clock on Tuesday, February 16, 
1875, while coming as usual down Dubuque street, through the cluster of 
teams at the wood and hay market, his sleigh ran athwart a team which 
was moving west. As soon as they saw each other both drivers checked 
up, but too late to save a fatal collision. He was immediately brought to 
the private room of the Press office, where, despite the earnest profes- 
sional efforts of Dr. Graham and Profs. Peck, Shrader and Clapp, he died 
in two hours. There was no complete reaction from the shock, and the 



460 HISTORV OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

apparent suffering was so inconsiderable as to go no farther than the 
vague uneasiness which is the usual accompaniment of such complete 
paralysis. 

Obsequies were conducted at the residence, on Rose Hill, by Rev. Mr. 
Judd, rector of Trinity Church. So closed a long and active life. 

DR. WILLIAM VOGT. 

It is wonderful how thoroughly this gentleman of foreign birth and 
education won the affectionate esteem of the people where he chose his 
American home. From the Iowa City Daily Press of August 25, 1873, 
we quote upon the occasion of his funeral: 

For twenty-seven years Dr. Vogt has been of this people. Pioneer 
with them in the early ddys, a generation born since he came, had learned 
each gentle, manly way that recommended him to the generation of 
which he was, and with which he has gone the silent journey. 

A native of the city of Dusseldorf, the capital of Rhenish Prussia, the 
oldest of a famil}^ of four sisters and two brothers, his childhood, youth 
and young manhood were passed amid the ministrations of art and cul- 
ture which cluster around the old city, and he grew into that sound schol- 
arship and classic mould of mind, which marked him the wise counselor 
through life, in the classes of the best of those great institutions which 
have projected German thought and German influence to the remotest 
outpost of civilization. 

His duties to the State discharged, the home, where he had filled the 
full station of first born, being now sheltered by the younger hands that 
had been deftly trained in his dutiful example, he came to America in 
1846, a stout-hearted man of twenty-eight years, to follow that destiny 
which led him to first rank in his profession, in the confidence of the 
worthy and in the love of all. 

Reaching New Orleans he penetrated the continent by the only high- 
way, in search of newer land and larger opportunities than were offered 
by an effete population, and so came to us; came so long ago that with 
most of us who have seen his eye grow dim with the shadow of the 
valley, his coming lies away upon the horizon of memory, and his death 
is the fall of an autochthon. 

Here a loving family grew around him, reflecting in their lives the great- 
ness and goodness of his soul, in their tastes the excellent proprieties 
which were the habit of his life, and here clustered closely around him 
the relations which outlast the life that was their source and are a monu- 
ment to his memory more beautifiil than design can fashion. 

His professional labors were intense; worn by them he sought rest 
six years ago by a European tour. Appointed a commissioner for Iowa 
to the World's Exposition at Paris, he crossed the sea, accompanied by 
his eldest son, Charles, and spent nearly a year abroad. Visiting the old 
home and native land, he penetrated the Orient, saw Italy and Greece 
with the loving vision of a scholar and artist, and returned, renewed and 
strengthened for his labor. That labor was almost utterly without rest. 
Intensely sympathetic, no call was unanswered, save where delay was 
born of their very multiplicity. Amongst the students of the State Uni- 
versity, he was always the favorite physician, and many a young man 
and woman has gone back to study, clad not onl}^ in restored health, but 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 461 

Stored with his rich thoughts and sage suggestions. A gentleman long 
connected with the University, in wliose family for twelve years the doctor 
had practiced, sends us a note to say, that it was his unvaried custom 
when treating a student to enquire of the faculty as to the pecuniary con- 
dition of the patient, and if told that it would not warrant a fee, that the 
student was perhaps laboring as a teacher or manually, for means to finish 
the curriculum, in his jieculiar way he would say, " All right, all right," 
often saying, " I am glad to see young people striving for an education, 
and am glad of an opportunity to help them;" and our informant. Prof. 
Parvin, adds, " such unnumbered kind acts, while remembered by their 
recipients, should be now mentioned to the credit of a noble soul, passed 
to its reward." 

Dr. Vogt was an active promoter of the interests of the medical 
department of the University, and was always a wise counselor in its 
behalf. 

His connection with public aflairs was limited by an always absorbing 
interest in his profession, but when duties were imposed upon him he dis- 
charged them with all fidelity. Many times and for many years he served 
on the public school board of the city, ahvays to the benefit and advance- 
ment of education. When called to the public advocacy of a policy or 
principle, he brought to it the rarest felicity of expression and most effec- 
tive eloquence. 

On Sunday, August 24th, from far and near came the mourners to pay 
the last dues of affection. 

The obsequies were held in St. Patrick's Church, Rev. Father Rice 
officiating. After the usual and impressive service of the Catholic Church, 
the Rev. Father delivered an eloquent address from the text, "It is 
appointed unto man once to die." 

The funeral cortege was formed on Dubuque street. The pall was borne 
by Hon. Peter A. Dey, P. P. Freeman, Alden Fletcher, A. J. Rider, F. 
H. Luse, Michael Mclnerny, R. B. Saunders, and Wm. Crum. The 
hearse was followed by the doctor's team attached to the empty vehicle, 
draped, and led by Messrs. Kimball and Shafer, students of the University 
Medical Department; the family carriages were followed in order by the 
members of the medical profession of the city, and b}'^ Dr. W. F. Peck, of 
Davenport, Dean of the University Medical Faculty, and Professors Shra- 
der and Clapp, members of the Faculty, and Mr. R. W. Pryce, its Ana- 
tomical Demonstrator. On the right was the German Benevolent Society, 
in column, with banners furled and draped. Thousands of people were 
there and Cemetery Hill was occupied by a dense assembly. As the cor- 
tege moved on through the streets the sick people who were the objects 
of his care, could be seen supported at their windows, adding their tears 
to the libation in his memory. 

RUSH CLARK, 

of Iowa City, was born at Schellsburg, Bedford county, Pennsylvania, 
October 1, 18.34; received a common school education at his birth-place, 
attended the academy at Ligonier, Pennsylvania, and was a student at 
Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, graduating there in 1858; studied law, 
was admitted to the bar at Iowa City in the fall of 1853, and commenced 
practice there; was a member of the general assembly of Iowa, lS60-'64, 
serving the last two years as Speaker of the House; was on the staff" of 



462 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

the Governor of Iowa in 1861 and '62, aiding in the organization of volun- 
teers from Iowa; was a member of the board of trustees of the Iowa State 
University 1862-'66; was re-elected to the general assembly of 1876; and 
was elected to the forty-fifth congress as a republican, receiving 19,274 
votes against 11,154 votes for N. Worley, democrat, and 1,200 for G. W. 
Rutherford, greenbacker. He was re-elected in 1878, the following being 
the vote in the district: for Clark, republican, 14,205; Carter, democrat, 
12,011; Brown, greenbacker, 697. [It is proper here to explain that Rush 
Clark was not related to Ezekiel Clarke, as many have supposed, (they 
spelled their names differently), and hence he was not a relative of Gov. 
Kirkwood, although very highly esteemed by him.] — Historian. 

Mr. Clark died at Washington City, very suddenl3^ One of his eulo- 
gists remarked, "The going down of the sun on the evening of the 27th 
of April, 1879, found him busy with the cares and activities of this life. 
The setting of the sun on the evening of the next da}'^ found him a dweller 
in the spirit land." 

Memorial addresses were delivered in Congress, by Congressmen 
Price, of Iowa; Coflrath, of Pennsylvania; Sapp, of Iowa; Manning, of 
Mississippi; Neal, of Ohio; Thompson, of Iowa; Bennett, of Dakota; 
Carpenter, of Iowa; Henderson, of Illinois; and Senators Allison and 
Kirkwood, of Iowa; Hereford, of West Virginia, and Piatt, of Connecti- 
cut. A joint committee, of seven Representatives and three Senators 
was appointed to take charge of the funeral and accompany the remains 
for the burial at his home, Iowa City. This committee consisted of Rep- 
resentatives Hiram Price, of Iowa; John H. Reagan, of Texas; Wm. H. 
Hatch, of Missouri; Henry S. Neal, of Ohio; Thos. J. Henderson, of Illi- 
nois: Mark H. Dunnell, of Minnesota, and Philip Cook, of Georgia; and 
Senators Kirkwood, Piatt and Hereford. Nine thousand copies were 
ordered printed of the memorial proceedings and eulogies in Congress. 

Mr. Coffrath represented the district in Pennsylvania where Rush 
Clark was born, and knew the family when Rush was a boy. In his 
remarks Mr. Coffrath said: 

His father, John Clark, was of Scotch-Irish family, and was born in 
Cumberland counl}^, Pennsylvania. His mother was born near the line 
between the States of Pennsylvania and Mar3'land, opposite Hancock. His 
parents were among the early settlers of the lovely valle}'^ in which Rush 
was born, and they were universally respected and beloved far and near 
by all who knew them, for their hospitality and upright Christian walk. 

Rush Clark was the sixth son of John and Mary Clark. His deep 
and fervent love for his father and mother made him linger long around 
the threshold of his childhood's home. * '" * * * * 

A relative, who loved him and knew him well, writes me, " If I were 
called upon to pass a eulogium ever so brief, it would be that Rush 
Clark loved his mother^ and lived for the good he might do to others.'''^ 
What more need be said in praise of our deceased brother? He will live 
in the memory of all those who knew him. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 463 

Congressman Manning, of Mississippi, in the course of his eloquent and 
touching address, said: 

Those who knew him upon this floor knew how faithfully and promptly 
he responded to every duty that devolved upon him, and it is not strange 
that his generous impulses, strong mental faculties, pure private and pub- 
lic character, and love of country's honor and welfare, secured for him a 
warm place in the hearts of his constituency, whose interests he ever 
guarded and protected with so much zeal and efficiency. An exalted 
public spirit ever animated his breast; and every movement, whether 
originated in the legislative halls, or elsewhere, which in his judgment 
tended to the benefit of the country in large or small degree, and might 
bring peace and fraternal relations to the whole people, received his 
utmost aid. 

Now that his life is finished testimony is cheerfully borne by all who 
knew him, without regard to party affiliations, that he left to his family, 
friends and country a name without a stain. 



CHAPTER VII.— PART 3. 



SLAVERY DAYS IN IOWA CITY. 

A Negro Boy Sold— Two Black Girls Kidnapped— Old John Brown's Night Escape 

from an Iowa City Mob. 

A SLAVE SALE IN IOWA CITY. 

In 1841 President Harrison appointed O. H. W. Stull to be secretary of 
the territory of Iowa, John Chambers being the governor who had suc- 
ceeded Gov. Lucas. Gov. Chambers was an ex-congressman of Ken- 
tucky, and had his negro waiter with him here at the Iowa capital. Sec- 
retary Stull wanted to be "in style," and have a body servant, as well as 
the governor. There was a man named Chaney who owned a saw-mill 
near the mouth of Dirty Face creek in Penn township, opposite Butler's 
landing, or the place now known as the boat house. This Mr. Chaney 
was originally from Virginia, and had a mulatto boy living with him, and 
this boy he sold to Secretary Stull for $250. This sale of a mulatto youth 
into slavery was transacted in Chauncey Swan's hotel, which then stood 
just north of the University grounds, on the northeast corner of Capital 
and Jefferson streets. Our informant was there at the time and saw the 
sale made and the boy delivered to his new master. When President 
Tyler came into office Stull was removed from the secretaryship and went 
to Burlington, taking his Iowa slave boy along; and there he gave him or 
sold him to his son-in-law named Cassell, who took the boy to Alleghany 
county, Maryland, and there kept him as a slave. 

TWO NEGRO GIRLS TAKEN FROM IOWA CITY AND SOLD INTO SLAVERY. 

In 1859-60 a man named John L. Curtis, who had a farm in Fremont 
township, was then living in Iowa City. He came here from Tennessee, 



464 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

but claimed to be a native of New England. Two negro girls formed 
part of his family, and early in February, 1860, he took them in a carriage 
and started oft' south, with the intention, as was generally believed, of selling 
them into slavery to raise a little money for his immediate necessities. He 
was followed by constable A. T. Mcllvaine, who overtook him at Fair- 
field in Jefferson count}^, and arrested him on a charge of kidnaping, and 
he, with the black girls, was brought back to Iowa City. Rather than 
stand trial on the charges, which were decidedly " bad medicine " here 
about that time, he agreed to give the children his formal and legal adop- 
tion. The following official document explains the case further: 

M. y. Morsman^ Mayor of Iowa City^ to J> L. and Nancy R . Curtis. — 

Deed of Adoption. 

This indenture witnesseth: That I, M. J. Morsman, Mayor of Iowa 
City, State of Iowa, for and in consideration of the covenants hereinafter 
mentioned, and the love, regard and affection entertained by one John L. 
Curtis, Nancy R. Curtis of Iowa City aforesaid, for two minor children, 
named respectively, Mary Old, aged thirteen years, whose parents are 
not living, and Versa Old, aged ten years, whose father is dead and whose 
mother is living, but has abandoned said Versa Old; which said children 
are now residing in Iowa City, State of Iowa, aforesaid, and who have no 
survivors or relatives in said State of Iowa, doth by these presents con- 
sent, covenant and agree, to and with the said John L. Curtis and Nancy 
R, Curtis aforesaid, that the said John L, Curtis and Nancy R 
Curtis shall adopt as their own, and take into their family the said 
minor children aforesaid, with the exclusive custody and charge thereof, 
hereby conferring upon said children all the rights, privileges and respon- 
sibilities that would pertain to said children if born to the said John L. 
Curtis and Nancy R. Curtis in lawful wedlock; also conferring and allot- 
ing to said John L. Curtis and Nancy R. Curtis all the rights, duties, 
powers, control and relation towards and over said children hereby 
adopted, as the parent by law and nature has over his or her lawful 
child. 

The names of said children are hereafter to be Mary Curtis and Versa 
Curtis, respectively. That such children are hereby given to and are 
adopted by said John L. Curtis and Nancy R. Curtis, for the purpose of 
adoption as their own children, and to be by them controlled, educated and 
cared for as children to them born in lawful wedlock. All indentures, 
bonds or instruments in writing heretofore executed to the contrary, not- 
withstanding. 

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals this 13th 
day of February, 1860. 

— .-^^--^ — \ M. J. Morsman, [seal.] 

CITY SEAL. V Mayor of Iowa City . 

--V-— — ) J. L- Curtis, [seal.] 

N. R. Curtis, [seal.] 

In a few months after this " adoption " dodge, Curtis again took the 
girls oft' south, being accompanied this time by David Lopp, of Fremont 
township, and sold them in Memphis, Tennessee — one for $500 and the 
other for $800. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 465 

OLD JOHN BROWN IN IOWA CITY. 

The events which culminated in the death of the abolitionist, John 
Brown, at Charlestown, Va., on December 2, 1859, constitute a part of 
American history scarcely surpassed in interest either by preceding or 
subsequent events. They were, in fact, the commencement of that ter- 
rible period which ended with the battle at Appomattox Court House, 
and the surrender of Gen. Lee; a period which witnessed the most stu- 
pendous of all civil wars, but which resulted in the shackles being 
removed from 4,000,000 slaves. And 

"John Brown's body lies moulderinir in the grave, 
But his soul goes marching on." 

A full sketch of John Brown's life and historic movements does not 
properly come within the purposes of this volume, but only such parts of 
it as have a local association with Iowa City and vicinity, or with public 
men personally well known here. 

In 1866, while Dr. Frederick Lloyd was editor of the "Annals of Iowa," 
he published some articles on John Brown's operations and connections 
within this State, which are in most of their details reliable history. And 
from these "Annals" we quote a few paragraphs that are local to John- 
son county, and a few miles* over the line in Cedar county: 

It was about the close of the Presidential campaign in 1856, that Brown 
first visited Iowa City and the Pedee settlement.* He was then on his 
way east from Kansas, and was accompanied by one of his sons. The 
Hon. W. Penn Clarke was the member of the Kansas national committee 
for Iowa, and his residence being at Iowa City, made this town the chief 
headquarters west of the Mississippi for those who sympathized with the 
free state men of Kansas. Brown was thus brought in contact with Col. 
Clarke, Dr. Jesse Bowen, and other residents of Iowa City, who were in 
active sympathy with the free state pioneers of Kansas. 

On his journeys through Iowa, Brown was generally accompanied by 
fugitive slaves from Missouri, whom he and his armed band escorted 
through our State to a haven of freedom beyond Michigan. On such 
occasions Brown could always count on finding at the residence of Hon. 
John B. Grinnell, in Grinnell, Poweshiek county, not only rest, food and 
shelter for himself and his party, white and black, but money and words 
of cheer besides. After leaving Grinnell, his next ark of safety was the 
Pedee settlement, where he would quarter his men — passing through Iowa 
City in the night time to avoid molestation, and then retrace his steps to 
the State capital, which Iowa City had not ceased to be yet, to consult 
with Clarke and other friends of the free state movement in Kansas. On 
such occasions Brown generally required the benefit of a clear head and 
a cool hundred, both of which he never failed to find at the office of 
Clarke, who often made up any deficiencies there might be in funds, or 
contributed the whole amount himself. But there were many others who 
gave of their means for this purpose, and even Democrats, while denounc- 
ing abolitionists, were contributing their funds toward the escape of fugi- 
tive slaves. 

*Pedee and Spring Dale and West Branch were Quaker settlements a few miles east of 
Iowa City, and over the line in Cedar county. 



466 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

It was then, as indicated above, in the autumn of 1856, that John Brown 
first visited the Pedee settlement of Cedar county. As he alighted from 
his mule (one he had captured at the battle of Black Jack, on the borders 
of Kansas and Missouri), in front of the "Traveler's Rest," which was the 
name of the little frame tavern kept by Mr. James Townsend, m West 
Branch, the old man asked the landlord if he had ever heard of John Brown, 
of Kansas notoriety— a simple introduction, from which sprung an inti- 
macy the closest and most confiding. The Quaker landlord thereupon 
proceeded to chalk John Brown's hat and mule, and both John and beast 
were ever after on the free list at the "Traveler's Rest," and it would have 
been difficult to say who was the better entertained, the guest disposing of 
the buckwheat cakes and sorghum of the jolly red-faced Quaker, or the 
host devouring the thrilling incidents of the Kansas war, as related by 
Brown. 

Brown was in Iowa City and the Pedee settlement several times 
between his first visit in 1856 and his last in 1859, but as the objects and 
incidents of these visits were similar, we omit a particular description of 
each, and shall confine ourselves to a somewhat minute detail of his pro- 
ceedings and associations on the last two occasions he was in Iowa. 

Generally these visits to Pedee had a two-fold object — the promotion of 
the Kansas free state cause and the concealment of negroes, but his last 
sojourns were made chiefly with a view of perfecting his plans, accumu- 
lating arms, drilling, disciplining and recruiting his band, and taking meas- 
ures for making Pedee a sort of base of operations for the raid against 
Harper's Ferry. 

In the beginning of the winter of 1857-8, Brown for the fifth time vis- 
ited the Quaker settlement of Cedar county, determined, as now appears, 
to spend the winter there in preparation for his Harper's Ferry raid, the 
plan of which he now disclosed to some of his confidants at Pedee — Jas. 
Townsend, John H. Painter and Dr. H. C. Gill. On this occasion he was 
accompanied by his band, consisting of his son Owen, Aaron D. Stevens, 
John Kagi, John E. Cook, Richard Realf, Charles W. Moflit, Luke J. 
Parsons, Charles H. Tidd, William Leeman and Richard Richardson, the 
latter a colored'man, who, with his wife and three children, had made his 
escape from slaver}^ in Missouri . 

Besides those named above, who accompanied Brown from Kansas to 
Cedar county, he had accessions to his cor oany in the persons of some 
young men resident in Pedee settlement. \.mong these were George B. 
Gill, the two Coppic brothers, and Stewart Taylor. Mr. Gill, who held a 
high position in Brown's confidence, having been secretary of his provis- 
ional government, was detached from the party in Canada, previous to 
the Harper Ferry affair, after which he returned home and married; since 
which his issues have been more quoted and have borne a higher pre- 
mium than formerly. We never heard that he had any trouble in account- 
ing for the contents of his portfolio. If the provisional government, of 
which he was a cabinet officer, ever issued bonds, they probably had the 
same value a like quantity of any other Brozvn paper had. Edwin Cop- 
pic was hung, as will be recollected, while his brother Barcla}- escaped 
and returned to his home in Springdale, where his mother still resides, 
[1866] to be the subject of a requisition by the Governor of Virginia on 
the Executive of Iowa, and a text for much controversy in the spitfire 
press. He finally fell a victim to the barbarous warfare of the Missouri 
bushwhackers, who partially burned the supports of a railroad bridge, 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 467 

and the next train attempting to pass thereover, and on which Coppic 
chanced to be, was precipitated many feet into the stream below, and a 
large number of Union soldiers, Barclay Coppic among the number, were 
instantly killed. 

Brown quartered his men during this winter at the house of Mr. Wm. 
Maxson, three miles northeast of Springdale. There is an additional his- 
toric interest attaching to this house — it being the first cement or gravel 
house ever built in this state. The farm on which it stands was bought 
by Mr. Maxson at the first government land sale held in Dubuque in 
1839, and the house, which is of cottage style in architecture, 32x25 feet in 
the main part, was built in 1849. Here Brown's men were trained for the 
projected raid — assiduously drilling with wooden swords. Brown him- 
self had his quarters at the home of Mr. John H. Painter, about a mile 
distant, and the men were under the immediate command of Stevens, who 
was the drill-master. Considerable attention was paid to discipline. 
Each hour of the twenty-four had its allotted duty. The men were 
required to rise at five o'clock, and drill and study alternately occupied 
the hours of day light. 

On Thursday, April 22, 1858, Brown having returned from the east 
(whither he had gone to arrange some preliminaries) bid his men prepare 
for the grand movement. The parting from their friends, which took 
place on the 27th of April, is described as having been affecting in the 
extreme. Not an eye was dry except the two that belonged to the imper- 
turable Brown, and in the confusion Cook kissed a very handsome young 
school teacher. Miss Blake, probably in mistake for one of the old gran- 
dams of the place. It must be recollected that they left with a full 
expectation of striking the blow immediately, which, however, was ordered 
to be postponed by a convention which shortly afterwards met at Chatham, 
Canada West, to which point they went directly from Pedee. This con- 
vention also framed a constitution and elected provisional officers. 

Postponement having been decided upon, Brown again returned to 
Kansas, and on the evening of Feb. 4, 1 859, we once more find him on his way 
to Pedee, crossing the Missouri river at Nebraska City*, accompanied by a 
few of his party, together with twelve negroes — one of the latter, but a 
few weeks old, and born while the party were at Dr. (now [1866] Gen- 
eral) Blunt's. After crossing the river, they marched rapidly to Mt. 
Tabor (the ? at of Tabor College, in Fremont county), stopping one night 
on the way .• Dr. Blanchard's. After resting a week at Mt. Tabor, they 
pushed for Des Moines, putting up at night' successively at the houses of 
Mr. Tool, Mi . Mills, Mr. Murray, the latter's place being a little east of 
Irishtown. On Februar}^ 18 they crossed the Des Moines and entered the 

* At the southeasterly outskirt of Nebraska City there was still visible ia 1874, a station 
of the " Underground Railroad," known as "John Brown's cave." It was dug into the bank 
of a deep ravine, where the land for several acres aruund had been a perfect thicket ot hazel 
and underbrush. One chamber went straiarht in about twenty feet, and four feet wide. Ten 
feet back from the entrance was a cross-chamber, or two ells or wings. At the end of the 
north ell there was a manhole, just big enough to let a man up or down with a rope in 
case of necessity, or to let food down into the cave. In the John Brown days an obscure 
and unsuspected family lived in a small house a few yards from this cave, ami had a wood- 
shed over thespace where the man-hole was.while immediately over the hole they kept a large 
hogshead, which they used to smoke meat in for a blind, but it could be easily rolled aside 
when necessary. I visited that cave twice in 1874. It was then being used by a German 
family for a cow-stable. — H. A. Reid. 



468 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

present State capital. Mr, John Teesdale, then editor of the Register'^, 
paid their ferriage. Teesdale and Brown had been old personal friends 
in Ohio, but until now Teesdale was not aware that Ossawattomie Brown 
and his Brown were one and the same. On Februar}^ 20 they reached 
Grinnell, and became the temporary guests of the present representative 
[1S66] of the fourth district in congress [Hon. J, B. Grinnell], who was 
then at home much more than on the 14th of June, when Gen. Rosseau 
paid his respects to him, and who delivered a discourse in the church at 
Grinnell to Brown and his party, besides many of the citizens of the town 
who were attracted by the novelty of the occasion, and contributed a gen- 
erous sum to help them on their way. 

On the 25th of February, Brown, with his party, for the last time,gained 
the hospitable hamlets of Pedee, having passed through Iowa City the 
night previous. 

It immediately became street talk in Iowa City that Brown, with a 
large party of fugitive slaves, was in the vicinity; and, as a reward of 
three thousand dollars had been offered by the authorities of Missouri for 
the arrest of the negroes, the disinterested advocates of the rigid enforce- 
ment of the fugitive slave law, began to discuss the propriety of collecting 
a mob, and marching on Pedee and capturing Brown and his party: Sam 
Workman, then postmaster at Iowa City, was the captain of the gang 
organized for this purpose, but Brown having returned a reply breathing 
quiet defiance to Workman's threat of capturing him, the postmaster after 
consulting his friend Capt. Kelly, an Irish gentleman of great eminence, 
that is to say, six feet and seven inches tall, deferred the undertaking. 

At this stage of the proceedings, Mr. Grinnell, fearing trouble, proceeded 
to Chicago to endeavor to secure a box car, in order that the negroes 
might be removed quietly. Mr. Tracy, the superintendent, refused to 
allow the negroes to pass over the railroad, being afraid of a prosecution 
under the fugitive slave law. Tracy, however, gave Grinnell his draft 
for fifty dollars, and this draft Grinnell handed to Brown on his return 
from Chicago. While this was going on the United States Marshal, 
Summers, was at Davenport, alleging that he had a warrant for the arrest 
of Brown and his party. At this juncture W. Penn Clarke, who had been 
absent, returned home apprehending difficulty and even the loss of life, as 
he knew Brown would fight rather than be taken. Shortly after Clarke's 
return. Brown visited Iowa City, (as he frequently did while stopping at 
Pedee). Hearing of Clarke's return. Brown sent to request Clarke to visit 
him at Dr. Bowen's where he was to stay overnight. Here Clarke learned 
of the effort Grinnell had made, and of its failure. After some discussion, 
Clarke undertook to obtain a close box car in which to run the negroes 
through to Chicago. Accordingly, Clarke set out by the early train next 
morning, and Brown was to be ready next day with his entire party, at 
West Liberty, a station on the railroad fifteen miles east of Iowa City, and 
ten miles south of Springdale. It was finally agreed that Clarke should 
send some one to pilot Brown out of the cit}-, and that the latter should 
leave in the night, and avoid the main road till he got some distance from 
town. Accordingly, Col. Clarke, in company with Major L. A. Duncan, 
(now editor of the Niles, Michigan, Times, [1800] then of the lozva City 
Republican) knocked at the door of Col. S. C. Trowbridge, who had been 
selected for this delicate duty. It being by this time midnight, the Colonel 

*Mr. Teesdale had before this beeu editor of the loioa (Jity Republican. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 469 

was well into his first slumber, but immediately awoke, and hastily put 
himself into such light maixhing order as to go to the door. He readily 
promised to perform the duty assigned him, merely stipulating that he 
should do it in his own way. Therefore Trowbridge, by three o'clock, 
was at Dr. Bowen's where Brown and Kagi slept. One of Sam. Work- 
man's men was keeping watch over Bowen's horse in Bowen's stable. 
The early movements of Brown were not contemplated in Workman's 
strategy, which undoubtedly was to take Brown in town that morning, 
and then make an easy conquest of his party, deprived of its head, at 
Pedee. Be that as it may, Brown and Trowbridge, each on his proper 
horse, and Kagi on foot, were soon floundering in the darkness and mud 
of the ' upper Muscatine road,' bound for Pedee, among whose quiet cot- 
tages Trowbridge parted for all time from the adventurers, in the morn- 
ing gray. [See more of this matter under head of "John Brown's Night 
Escape from Iowa City."] 

The most difficult part of the plan was to procure the car from the rail- 
road company, but this difficulty soon melted before the commendable 
finesse of Clarke, who called on the Hon. Hiram Price, then secretary of 
the railroad company, to whom he confided his business. Price had no 
control over the cars, but gave Clarke a note of introduction to Mr. Moak, 
the deputy superintendent. With this note from Price, and Tracy's draft, 
which he had got from Brown, Clarke retraced his steps to West Lib- 
erty, where he found Brown waiting, his party being concealed in Keith's 
steam mill. As the train bound east would soon be along, despatch was 
all important. The agent, Miller, had just gone to dinner, about a quarter 
of a mile ofi. Enoch Lewis, an old man, volunteered to bring him. The 
agent was soon at the hotels where by this time Clarke and Brown had 
made a junction. To obtain the car, it was necessary for Clarke to make 
the agent beHeve the railroad officers knew and connived at what was 
being done. So Clarke showed him the note from Price, introducing him 
to Moak, and asking him if he knew the signature. Of course he recog- 
nized it as the sign manual of the secretary of the road. In the same 
manner was exhibited the draft from Tracy, which he likewise knew to 
be in the handwriting of the superintendent. Clarke then asked him if 
he had a close box car, and the cost of running it to Chicago. He 
answered that he had such a car, and the price would be fifty dollars. 
Thereupon he was handed Tracy's check, and Clarke told him he wanted 
the car at once down at the mill, and that it was not his (Miller's) business 
to know what was going to be put into it. The car was accordingly run 
down the track in front of Keith's mill, and the fugitives, with the white 
men Brown had with him, were loaded in as freight — Stevens being at 
one end of the car and Kagi at the other. All of the men, both white 
and black, were heavily armed. Clarke, Brown and Kagi dined at the 
hotel together. During this repast, Clarke gave Brown ten dollars to 
help him on his way, and advised him to go home and take some rest, 
which he promised to do. 

When the passenger train came along, Brown got into the car with the 
negroes. By this time it was noised abroad what was going on, and the 
whole town of West Liberty was out, all being in sympathy with Brown 
and his fugitives. Clarke's freight car soon formed'a link in the chain of 
coaches. Clarke and Kagi got into the passenger car to be prepared for 
30 



470 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

emergencies, and with a shout of approval and sympathy from the people 
of West Liberty, ofi'the train started for Davenport. 

Browrn and his party arrived without molestation at Chicago, where 
they changed cars, taking another branch of the underground railroad for 
Canada, where they all arrived in due time. Tracy, the superintendent, 
swore some, when the negroes were unloaded at the Chicago depot. A 
short time after, Clarke apologized to Mr. Farnum, the president of the road, 
lor the harmless imposition practiced on the agent at West Liberty, so 
that he did not lose his place. [See under head of "John Brown's Last 
Day in Chicago."] 

Shortly before Brown's last departure from Pedee, he effected a sale of 
such plunder as had been necessai-ily employed in the transportation of 
negroes and arms from Missouri and Kansas, such as mules, wagons, 
stoves and cooking utensils, and tents and other camp equipage, by which 
he realized a considerable sum. In all business of this kind, his trusty 
andjudicious friend, 'Squire Painter, was invariably made available. Pain- 
ter "at that time was a justice of the peace, and signalized his term of 
office by uniting in wedlock, ' like white folks,' (including possibly the 
usual labial salutations,) a colored couple of Brown's party from Missouri, 
who sought refuge and matrimony at Pedee. It was Painter also, who, 
after Brown had gone, boxed up the latter's Sharp's rifles and revolvers, 
one hundred and ninety-six of each, marked '■carpenters' tools,'' hauled 
them to the railroad station at West Liberty, and from thence shipped 
them by rail to Brown at Harper's Ferry, directed to a fictitious cousignee, 
as previously agreed upon between him and Brown. In this way the 
arms ' carried zuell^ as they also did after they reached their destination. 

' Before their final adieu to Pedee, Brown's men, who affectionately 
designated their commander as ' Uncle,' all inscribed their names in one 
of the bed-chambers of Mr. Maxson's house under the caption of '■Caftain 
Brozunh Little Band,'' as may be seen to this day (lS6b); for, although 
this 'handwriting on the wall' was simply done with a common lead pen- 
cil, such is the reverence in which the memory of Brown and his martyr 
band is held in that vicinity, where they were so well known and so greatly 
loved, that every memento of their sojourn at Pedee is preserved as jeal- 
ously as were the two tables by the Israelites. 

Pending the affair at Harper's Ferry, their Pedee confidants were kept 
well informed by one and another of Brown's party of their intended 
movements. Barclay Coppic, writing to Painter from "Parts Unknown, 
August 29, 1859," says enigmatically, 'our boss has got quite a number 
of hands on the job, and he talks of getting a few more, so as to shove 
things right through. Everything seems to be working along smoothly, 
and if all goes well a few days more, you will hear from us again.' 

To complete the above narrative by Dr. Lloyd, it is necessary to add 
that Brown seized the U. S. Arsenal at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, on the 
night of October 16, 1859. The next morning a few soldiers and citizens 
attacked him without success, several being killed on both sides; but in a 
few hours he was surrounded by 1,500 State and Federal troops, and cap- 
tured, John Brown and six of his men 'being still alive, while twelve of 
them had been killed. October 27th they were tried, and on December 
2d, he and his six subordinates were hung. Then began that era of his- 
tory and song, when — 

" John Brown's body lay mouldering in the grave, 
But his soul went marching on." 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 471 

JOHN brown's night ESCAPE FROM IOWA CITY. 

There some additional particulars connected with John Brown's last 
night in Iowa City, which now have a special local interest, although of 
no great historical importance. A Quaker from Pedee had accompanied 
Brown and Kagi into the city, one riding with him in a light mule team 
wagon belonging to Brown, and the other on horseback. The fact of their 
being here was whispered around among the democrats and plans laid to 
capture them, for the government had put a price on Brown's head, and 
the Missouri slaveholders had offered a liberal reward for the capture of 
their escaped negroes. The hideous, and heathenish fugitive slave law of 
the United States was then in full force, which made every man in the 
nation liable to be called upon by some U. S. marshal to serve on his -posse 
comitates as a slave catcher, or else suffer dire penalties for neglecting 
or refusing to do so. We were in fact by law a nation of nigger catchers 
— and that is why there was so much secret sympathy and co-operation 
with John Brown in his open resistance and defiance of that satanic law. 

At that time James Baumer kept a restaurant and ice-cream parlor in 
the rooms now [1882] occupied by_Mrs. Jane Taylor's millinery store, sec- 
ond door south of the St. James hotel, and during the evening Brown and 
Kagi went m there to get some ice-cream and refreshments, but Baumer 
didn't know who they were. While they were in the back room, or 
"ladies' parlor," as Baumer called it, eating their refreshments, two men 
— George Boatham and a blacksmith named Rice [afterward died in the 
insane asylum] — came to his front door with a rope in their hands and 
asked him if John Brown wasn't in there. He answered, "No; I haven't 
seen any John Brown. Why, what do you want of him?" "Why, he's 
that damned nigger thief of Kansas, and we're going to hang him!" they 
replied, and then started off^. Baumer went back into the "ladies' parlor" 
and inquired, "Is your name Brown. ^" Old John answered, "Yes sir, 
that's my name — old John Brown of Kansas." "Well, sir, they're going 
to hang you; been two men here with a rope, looking for you, and I told 
them you wasn't here." Brown arose and opened his overcoat, display- 
ing a belt hung full of revolvers and bowie knives, and said, "Let them 
come on! I'm ready for them!" Baumer says he was the finest looking 
man he ever saw. He told them to go back into a little room he had to 
make ice-cream in, wash dishes, and the like, and he would go out and 
learn what he could about what was going on, and would be back in a 
few minutes and report to them, so they should know what to do. He was 
himself a republican. So he went down to the corner of Washington and 
Dubuque streets, where there was a street meeting in front of Metropoli- 
tan Hall building. This was a parturient body of pro-slaver}' sympathizers 
writhing in the agonies of labor with the i^re^c/^-presenting problem [and 
still-born at last] of how to capture John Brown and his niggers, and get 
the blood-money reward offered for them. As leaders among this gang 



472 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

of hungry slave hounds are remembered Wm. Hockenberry, who after- 
ward went to the penitentiary; Wm. Sutton, who was drowned; Tom, 
Graham, who soon left the country, and was no kin of the respectable 
people of that name now living here. Graham had slyed over to Pedee 
the Sunday before and spied out the number of "niggers," and the situa- 
tion of things there, and was presenting the case to this excited mob. But 
they all understood that Brown and his crowd were armed to the teeth, 
and no one of this mob was quite ready to take the chance of drawing 
their first fire for the uncertain possibility of a few dollars reward. The 
question was, how to "get the drop on them," and capture them without 
risking their own skins. There was' a good deal of bullying talk and blus- 
ter, and empty brag; however, at a late hour, a "picked crew" was sent 
to watch Dr. Bowen's barn, where Brown's team was supposed to be sta- 
bled for the night. Meanwhile Baumer had returned and told Brown and 
Kagi all he had learned; and then Mrs. Baumer went with them out their 
back doorway and down the street far enough to show them their way in 
the dark to Dr. Bowen's house — the same which still stands on Iowa Av- 
enue, between Governor and Summit streets, and is now [1882] occupied 
by John Madden. The barn was then on the other side of Ralston creek 
from where it is now. 

At Dr. Bowen's house a conference was held with W. Penn Clarke 
and L. A. Duncan, at which matters were arranged as given in Dr. 
Lloyd's narrative heretofore quoted. Clarke and Duncan went to Col. 
Trowbridge's house (the same where he now resides) and told him of 
their plans, and of the part laid out for him. Their plan was for him to 
accompany Brown and Kagi on the road to Springdale and Pedee. 
Trowbridge suspected that this road might be watched, and he knew that 
the only possible ciiance for Brown and the negroes to get away was to 
outgeneral the slavehunters and avoid bloodshed, for if a -pass at arms 
once occurred, the whole movement would become so notorious that the 
chance for their getting through to Canada would not be more than one 
in ten thousand. Trowbridge therefore positively declined to have any- 
thing to do with the matter unless he was trusted to use his own judgment 
about route and time. This was reported back to Brown, and he must 
decide. He knew very little about our Iowa City Trowbridge, but was 
well acquainted with a brother of his in Kansas, who was true as steel, 
and he readily consented that Col. Trowbridge should take entire charge 
of the movement. Accordingly, at three o'clock Trowbridge gave the 
agreed signal at Dr. Bowen's night door on the east side of the house, 
and was admitted. Brown and Kagi slept in the west front room, and 
were soon up, and a consultation was held in the parlor. Dr. Bowen's 
barn then stood on the other side of Ralston creek from the house, and in 
it was Brown's mule team that had been driven in by the Quaker, and 
also his saddle horse. Trowbridge was satisfied that there were spies 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 473 

around, but they were most likely watching for " that Quaker and mule 
team " that brought Brown into the city. Kagi went over to the barn on 
a fool-plank bridge to get the saddle horse, but before reaching the barn 
he discovered men watching him; he was sure he saw three, but thought 
there were at least five of them, and he then came back to the house for 
consultation. It was now arranged that he should go right into the barn 
and get the saddle horse, while Trowbridge and Brown stood in the dark 
shade of the trees near the house, with guns ready to fire in case Kagi 
was attacked. This was a little after three o'clock in the morning. They 
were completely hidden from view, while the gray skylight made every- 
thing dimly visible to them on the open ground where the barn stood. 
Kagi now went directly into the barn, brought out the horse and led it 
across the creek, meanwhile keeping a revolver in one hand ready to fire 
instantly if assailed, or any attempt was m:ide to arrest him. He saw 
three or four men again watching him, but they kept at a respectful dis- 
tance. The "mule team" was still in the barn, and they were happy; 
they'd nab the old Quaker and John Brown in the morning. 

While the man-stealer spies were thus fondly dreaming of bagging their 
game in the morning, Trowbridge and Brown on horseback, and Kagi 
on foot, were making good time toward Pedee. Trowbridge suspected 
that there might be spies also along on the main road, so he bore off 
southward and then turning northwest, crossed the main road that passed 
through timber land for several miles east of the city, and came out on open 
prairie north of the road, where they could see any moving object like men 
or horses at a considerable distance; and by daylight they were safely 
beyond any probable picket-line of spies. Trowbridge led them to a 
Quaker's house not far from Pedee, and there left them to their own 
resources, while he made his way back to Iowa City. There was then a 
post-office called Carthage six miles east of the city in Scott township, 
and a man named Gruilich was the postmaster. At this place there was 
a party of democrats shooting at a target, drinking liquor, and waitiuQ-for 
old 'John Brown to come along. Trowbridge came riding up leisurely, 
and inquired if any of these gentlemen had any tame hay to sell. He 
wanted to buy some tame hay, and didn't know but what there might be 
some out in that neighborhood, so he had come out to see. Well, they 
hadn't any tame hay, but they had plenty of liquor, and he must drink 
with them. So the colonel took a "nip" with them, told them confiden- 
tially what he had heard about John Brown being in the cit}^ over night, 
and reckoned the "mule team" would have to go back on that road. There 
did not appear to be the least suspicion that he knew any more about 
Brown's whereabouts than they did, so he jogged on homeward, " hunt- 
ing for tame hay.^'' In the timber on the road side, three miles east of the 
city he found another gang waiting to caj)tiire old John B7'ozvn, when he 
should come along with the Quaker and his mule team. Just at the east 



474 HISTORY OP' JOHNSON COUNTY. 

edge of the citv, on what is now the Gower place, on the West Branch 
road, he found still another gang watching eagerly for " that mule team," 
and old John Brown. But all of these Iowa City " nigger hunters " were 
out of luck. The tempting rewards of money offered for return of 
escaped slaves never dropped into their regretful hands. 

There is now in the rooms of the State Historical Society a two-pound 
brass howtzer (a little cannon on wheels) which John Brown used in 
Kansas when fighting for the free-state cause there. This he was taking 
east for his Harper's Ferry project, it is supposed, but it was too cumber- 
some to ship when the other arms w^ere sent on as " carpenter's tools," 
and it was left with Dr. Bowen, who subsequentl}' presented it to the His- 
torical Society. 



JOHN brown's last DAY IN CHICAGO. 

Brown's last escape from Iowa City, and finally from Pedee and West 
Liberty are so intimately connected with men and events in Johnson county 
that it becomes also of local interest here to know how he got another car 
and passage out of Chicago and through Michigan into Canada; for 
President Buchanan's U. S. marshals were everywhere on the watch to 
catch " runaway niggers " and send them back into the chains of slavery. 

On August 31, 1882, there was a public reception given in Chicago to 
John Brown's widow, and the proceedings of that meeting throw some 
very interesting light on how W. Penn Clarke's good offices for Brown at 
Iowa City were supplemented by Allan Pinkerton' at Chicago — ^Pinker- 
ton, the very man whose "detective agency" is known, hated and feared 
by outlaws in every corner of the civilized world. The Times report of 
this late meeting in Chicago, says: 

At 8:15 Mrs. Brown, accompanied by a large number of ladies, walked 
out of the ante-room, and the party seated themselves upon the stage amid 
great cheering. Mrs. Brown's supporters were: Mrs. H. A. Parker^ 
Mrs. John Jones, Mrs. Lizzie E. Warren, Mrs. Chafner, Mrs. Seeley, 
Mrs. H. Smith, Mrs. Morse, Miss Packer, Mrs. S. Blake, Mrs. H. S. 
Hammond, Mrs. Mary Dye, Mrs. Keeler, Mrs. Watkins, Mrs. Mattie 
Hires, Mrs. Eliza J. Loomis, Mrs. Dr. Clark. 

Judge James B. Bradwell was called upon to take the chair, and spoke 
as follows: 

"In 1859 John Brown, by authority of God Almighty, made the first 
attack on slavery. He was taken at Harper's Ferry, and executed for 
the deed. In less than three years from that time there was not a slave 
in this broad land; the shackles had fallen from every slave in the republic. 
We are here to-night to do honor to the wife of the hero at whose touch 
those shackles fell." He then introduced Mrs. Brown, amid] deafening 
cheers. She simply bowed, and returned to her seat. 

This meeting seems to have been large and enthusiastic, for the Chicago 
Times devotes over two columns in fine type to a report of its sayings 
and doings. But our special Johnson county interest in it is chiefly the 
following account by Mr. Pinkerton, which links right on with the depar- 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 475 

tuie of Brown and his negroes from West Liberty, as arranged by W. 
Penn Clarke, and hereinbefore narrated in Dr. Lloyd's sketoh. 

MR . PINKERTON's STATEMENT. 

I was awakened about half-past four o'clock in the morning by some one 
knocking at my door. I was then residing on Adams street, between 
Fifth avenue and Franklin street, Chicago. I hurriedly got up to see who 
it could be out at so early an hour in the morning. I partly dressed myself 
and went to the door. On opening it, to my astonishment, who stood 
before me in the doorwa}^ but the veritable John Brown himself. I can 
recollect him very well, even now; very well built, rather tall, and straight 
as an arrow, his hair rather white. On seeing him I said: "My God, is 
this you?" and on looking beyond him I could see a crowd of white and 
colored men, women, and children standing on the street and sidewalk. 
The men were armed with rifles, and were as fine a body of men as it has 
been my good luck to see anywhere. Having expressed myself in a sur- 
prised tone, I avv'aited his reply, knowing that the United States govern- 
ment had set a reward on the head of John Brown. At last he said: 

"Yes, it is me." 

I replied: "But what is to be done with the men, women, and children 
with you? They must be attended to, and that quickly." 

I was at a loss what to do then, but all that could be done was to dis- 
tribute the men, women, and children among the neighbors in my vicinity, 
which I did, and John Brown was taken to the residence of John Jones, 
who lived on Dearborn street, in this city. Some of them I took into my 
own house. The whole thing was done in a very short time. I hurried 
and got breakfast, then went to John Jones' house, where I met John 
Brown. 

After some quiet talk he said he was on his way, with his party, to 
Canada, as he knew the United States government would arrest him if 
they found him, but he would endeavor not to allow them to do so. After 
talking with Mr. Jones, and thinking the matter over, it was decided to 
await the results of the meeting which was to be held in Chicago on this 
day for the election of circuit judge. Money must be got; accordingly, I 
drew up a subscription list, and waited until the meeting would begin. In 
the meantimt I went down to see my friend. Col. C. G. Hammond, then 
general superintendent of the Michigan Central railroad. He was a friend 
to me and also to the colored people. On meeting me he said: "How 
are you?" 

I replied: "Well; very well; but I would like to have the door shut and 
locked." 

Mr. Hammond complied with my request; then quietly, but in surprised 
tones, said: 

"Well, Pinkerton, what is the matter now?" 

I said: "Colonel, I have got fifty to one hundred colored people here, 
in the city of Chicago, with John Brown; and John Brown is here himself 
in the city, and is going with the party to Canada. I have to see him 
through to Canada, and what is to be done must be done quickly." 

"Well," said the colonel, after a moment's hesitation, "I must give you 
. a car to carry them to Canada. This I am wiUing to do; you v/ill there- 
fore have the men, women, and children at the depot at 4:45 this after- 
noon. Bring them down on the south side of the depot, and I will have a 
comfortable car for their accommodation. You can get them all in it; 



476 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

and I will have a barrel of fresh water put in the car, but you must supply 
the provisions." 

I said: "Yes, I will try to do that," but asked him how I was ^oing to 
do it, as I had no funds. He lauujhed, looked at me, and said: "Well, I 
will take your note for the provisions, payable one day after date, by the 
Eternal; but you must be careful and let no one else know that they are 
here until they are all gone from Chicago." 

Thanking the colonel very much, I left him with a great load off my 
mind. 

The next thing to be attended to was the meeting. I had two gentle- 
men selected to collect subscriptions. I remained outside, as I was too 
well known as being an anti-slavery man, and I thought my absence from 
that meeting would be the best thing. The two geritlemen took the sub- 
scription list into the meeting, but they were refused any assistance, so 
they left the meeting verv much disheartened and reported to me. I 
thought a little and concluded there was but one thing to be done — that I 
must have the money. I was willing to pay something myself, but I was 
not able to stand the whole, so I said to my friends: 

"I 'am going into that meeting," and taking the subscription list in my 
hands I went in. 

There was a good deal of caucusing at this time, but when I entered the 
room there was a sort of quietness and lull fell upon the meeting. I 
stepped up to a sort of temporary platform and said: 

"Gentlemen, I have one thing to do, and that I will do in a 'ver}'- few 
minutes. John Brown is in this city at the present time with a number of 
men, women, and children. I will require aid, and substantial aid I must 
have. I am ready and willing to leave the meeting if I get the money; if 
not, I have this to say, that I will bring John Brown to this meeting, and 
if any United States marshal dare lay a hand upon him he must take the 
consequences. I am determined to do this, or will have the money." 

The meeting was thunderstruck and looked at me. About this time — 
I recollect it very well— John Wilson, who afterward became judge of one 
of the courts, stepped up and handed me $50; another one gave me $50, 
and yet another — as nice a man and as good-hearted a man as ever lived — 
handed me $50, and I think he gave me another $50. His name was 
George Manierre. I don't recollect exactly in what amounts or from 
whorn I received the money, but I will say in a very short time I had from 
$500 to $600 in my hands. Thanking the meeting for their kindness, I 
left feeling very much elated. Subscriptions came from various sources. 
Among others from L. C. P. Frier, one of the oldest "old line abolition- 
ists." At 4 o'clock in the afternoon I collected the men, women, and 
children, and, accompanied by John Brown, took them to the depot, put 
them in a car, and the crowd started for Detroit with a "hurrah," and 
reached Canada in safety. Everyone must know that John Brown meant 
business, and the slaves gained their "freedom" on British soil. 

The wife of the Mr. Jones above referred to, at whose house Brown 
staid, was also present in the meeting, and gave her recollections of that 
historic day; and from her we quote a few points: 

"Mr. Brown had just told me that he had a large number of slaves hid 
away. I knew of the rigor of the then existing fugitive slave law, and 
hence was ill at ease. Suppose he should be discovered? I thought, and, 
woman like, imagined all m mner of improbable things. Mr. Jones and 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 477 

Mr. Brown were then having a whispered, earnest conversation, and this 
only made matters worse. Just about this time the last feather was added 
to my weight of solicitude. The door-bell rang. Mr. Jones and Mr. 
Brown retired to a private room, and I answered the call. 

"There stood Allan Pinkerton, the noted detective. If Mr. Pinkerton 
had said anything about the weather, or intimated that he hoped I was 
well, I should be inclined to forgive him for the fright he gave me, but he 
did nothing of the sort. 

"Is John Brown here?" he asked. 

"For an instant I was dumb. The story about George Washington did 
not impress me near so forcibly as the axiom about self-preservation. 
After a moment's reflection, I forced my heart down into its proper place 
and answered. "Yes, sir." 

"I invited him in with a weight of fear on my mind that words can 
never measure. I called Mr. Brown. He came out, the two men met, 
and instantly my fears were cast to the winds. Their greeting was that 
of friend to friend; yea, more than that, brother to brother. I was satis- 
fied. The three then had an earnest talk. I don't know that I ought to 
divulge the secrets of that meeting of twenty-five years ago. Only one 
thing I will repeat. I remember that Mr. Pinkerton said: "There's a 
democratic meeting in town to-day. I'll go right down there and make 
them give me enough money to send those slaves to Canada." 

"Now I want it to be distinctly understood that I don't know that there 
was a democratic convention in town that day; I don't know whether Mr. 
Pinkerton made it give him the money or not; but I do know that the 
slaves went to Canada." 



CHAPTER VIII.— PART 1. 



WAR RECORD FROM THE FIELD. 
Johnson's County's " Boys in Blue " — The War of the Great Rebellion. 

COMPLETE LIST OF ALL MEN WHO EVER SERVED IN THE UNION ARMY AND 
WERE CREDITED TO JOHNSON COUNTY. 

In preparing the following patriotic "roll of honor" for Johnson county, 
all the volumes of Adjutant General's Reports of Iowa, comprising six 
thousand four hundred and thirty-one pages in all, have been carefully 
and exhaustively examined, collated, searched through, in order to make 
the record complete and reliable. 

In the state history part of this volume will be found a state war record 
prepared by Col. A. P. Wood of Dubuque, which shows under the title 
head of each regiment or command, all the marches, battles, skirmishes, 
grand reviews, and other events of historic note, in which each body of 
Iowa soldiers bore a part. So that the friends and descendants of any one 



478 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

of our Johnson county soldiers can always see by referrring to this record 
of his regiment just what battles, etc., he was engaged in. 

[Note. — It must be constantly borne in mind by the reader of these fol- 
lowing pages that in these lists both of officers and private soldiers, no 
names are given except of men %uho were from fohnson cotmty. Other 
field officers will be found in the state war record above referred to.] 

FIRST INFANTRY. 

Field and Staff .—KvL^iQVQA in May 14, 1861. WiUiam H. White, sur- 
geon; William W. Hughes, quartermaster sergeant, mustered in as pri- 
vate, promoted May 24, 1861, re-enlisted in 22d infantry, June 27,1862. 

Comfany B. — Mustered in May 9, 1861. Bradley Mahana, captain; 
Harvey Graham, first lieutenant, wounded at Wilson's Creek, subse- 
quently captain, major, lieutenant colonel, arid colonel, 22d infantry, 
taken prisoner at Vicksburg, May 22, 1863; Andrew J. Rians, second 
lieutenant; Lewis W. Talbott, first sergant, mustered in May 9, 1861; 
Charles N. Lee, sergeant, afterwards captain company A, 22d infantry, 
re-enlisted June 17, 1862; Zachariah Shearer, 3d sergeant, wounded at 
Wilson's Creek, wounded five times in the Mexican war, re-enlisted in 
22d infantry as private Aug. 4, 1862, and promoted to 4th sergeant Oct. 
8, 1862; John Henry Gearkee, 4th sergeant, re-enhsted in 22d infantry 
July 26, 1862, subsequently captain company B; James Robertson, 2d cor- 
poral, wounded at Wilson's Creek, re-enlisted in 22d infantry, captain 
company I; John W. Kinsey, 3d corporal, wounded at Wilson's Creek; 
Phillip Thomas, 4th corporal. 

Pr/z'a/^s.— Mustered in May 14, 186L Mark D. Allen, Francis B. 
Banks, Henry W. Ballard, William Bick, John Bick, James A. Boarts, 
Alexander H. Brown, wounded at Wilson's Creek, re-enlisted in 22d 
infantry, 2d lieutenant, company B; John Besett, John W. Boots, Josiah 
Corlett, Mitchell Campion, wounded at Wilson's Creek; David Cleveland, 
Loyd H. Dillon, wounded at Wilson's Creek; William M. DeCamp, 
wounded at Wilson's Creek; George W. Dennis, wounded at Wilson's 
Creek; Cyrus Douglass, wounded at Wilson's Creek; James E. Edging- 
ton, wounded at Wilson's Creek ; William Ferguson, wounded at Wilson's 
Creek; Oliver B. Goldsmith, James A. Gettings, Richard M. Hampton, 
wounded at Wilson's Creek; Chas. H. Hilton, wounded at Wilson's 
Creek; Nelson Holding, Thomas J. Harbert, William D. Harbert, Thomas 
Hoyt, William H. Hills, Thimothy Hirene, Leander M. Jackson, Jacob 
G. Lurwick, Richard Linn, Joseph F. Lattie, T. Wilson Lindsey, Con- 
stant S. Lake, Thomas Morrison, James Murry, wounded at Wilson's 
Creek; John T. McGuier, William E. Martin, WilHam R. Munsey, killed 
in battle at Wilson's Creek; Lemuel Madden, wounded at Wilson's Creek; 
Horace B. Pumphrey, wounded at Wilson's Creek; Alvin W. Pinney, 
Francis A. Parrott, Thomas Payne, John N. Reynolds, Geo. H. Shockey, 
Geo. W. Smith, Andrew H. Statler, David M. Simmonds, Joseph F. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 479 

Schell, Aaron M. Smith, Henry W. Sailer, Timothy H, Sale, missing 
after battle of Wilson's Creek; John W. Sweetman, James Trusdell, Wil- 
liam Tyler, wounded at Wilson's Creek; John Teeter, James H. Trim- 
bell, wounded at Wilson's Creek; Eugene F. Trask, Charles E. Thomp- 
son, wounded at Wilson's Creek; James Watson, wounded at Wilson's 
Creek; Wilson W. Wolf, John H. Wheeler, George H. Walter, wounded 
at Wilson's Creek; Alonzo Walker, missing after battle of Wilson's 
Creek; Andrew N. Springer, went into quarters April 27, 1861, dis- 
charged for disability; Lorenzo D. Prather, went into quarters April 27, 
1861, over number, killed at Pittsburg landing while in service. 

Company C. — Edward C. Burns, private; mustered in May 14, 1861. 

SECOND INFANTRY. 

Company C. — James C. Mansell, private; mustered m May 28, 1861, 
wounded at Corinth, and died of wounds October 5, 1862. 

FOURTH INFANTRY. 

Company £. — Esquire Williams, private; mustered in August 8, 1861, 
discharged. 

SIXTH INFANTRY. 

Field and Staff. — Alexander J. Miller, mustered in as first lieutenant 
July 18, 1861, promoted to captain May 22, 1862, major October 23, 1862, 
and to lieutenant-colonel March 14, 1863; severely wounded at Dallas, 
Georgia, May 28, 1864, resigned October 28, 1864: John Williams, major, 
promoted from captain company G, May 21, 1862. 

Company A. — Charles T. Golding, mustered in as 5th corporal, com- 
pany G, July 18, 1861; promoted to 2d lieutenant November 1, 1861, 1st 
lieutenant April 12, 1862. 

Company C. — Edward Finefield, private; mustered in July 17, 1861;^ 
transferred to company G, January 9, 1862. 

Com-pany D. — Mustered in July 17, 1861; Michael Combs 4th sergeant; 
Privates: Nicholas Kitterman, discharged October 12, 1861; Joseph 
McCord, transferred to the 5th Kansas November 1, 1861; William R. 
Stewart, discharged August 22, 1861, consumption. 

Company G. — Mustered in July 18, 1861. John Williams, captain, 
wounded at Shiloh, promoted to major; Alexender J. Miller, 1st lieutenant, 
promoted to captain May 22, 1862, major October 23, 1862; James J. Jor- 
dan, 1st sergeant, promoted 1st lieutenant. May 22, 1862, wounded at 
Kenesaw Mountain, mustered out October 26, 1864; Andrew T. Samp- 
son, mustered in June 19, 1865, from adjutant; Edward G. Fracker, mus- 
tered in as musician, promoted to 1st sergeant July 1, 1862, second lieu- 
tenant September 4, 1862, 1st lieutenant March 3, 1863, resigned 
November 29, 1864; Joseph M. Douglas, 2d lieutenant, resigned Septem- 
ber 3, 1862; Samuel J. Plymesser, mustered in as 1st corporal, afterwards 
1st sergeant and 1st lieutenant, wounded slightly at Missionary Ridge; 



480 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Morton M. Choate, 3d sergeant, discharged June 30, 1862; Lorenzo D. 
Prather, 4th sergeant, killed in battle at Shiloh; Charles W. Parshall, 
5th sergeant, dishonorably discharged January 4, 1862; Chas. Nickerman, 
2d corporal, captured at Shiloh, discharged January 5, 1863, for disability; 
Calvin H. Bane, 3d corporal, discharged December 31, 1861, disability; 
William Davis, mustered in as 6th corporal, promoted 3d corporal, killed 
at Shiloh; Charles Overfelt, 7th corporal, discharged January 17, 1862; 
Jonas P. Clark, 8th corporal, discharged February 9, 1863; Bradford 
Harmon, musician. Privates'. William Ayres, captured October 28, 1863, 
Horace N. Banks, discharged June 4, 1862; James Calhoun, wounded at 
Shiloh; Thomas Crosier, discharged December 14, 1861; Thomas A. 
Clark, wounded at Shiloh; Benjamin Clark; John A. Clark, wounded at 
Kenesaw Mountain, discharged September 20, 1864; James J. Davis, died 
at St. Louis; Enoch Davis, wounded August 2, 1864, near Atlanta, 
Georgia; Michael Ditto, died near Atlanta, Georgia, July 28, 1864, of 
wounds; John Ditto, promoted to corporal, captured at Shiloh, wounded 
at Missionary Ridge, Tennessee; Charles Dalton, discharged February 
10, 1862, for mental disability; George W. Ford, wounded at Kenesaw 
Mountain, killed in action October 31, 1864; Eugene R. Fosberry; All- 
man Frazier; William Gould, discharged for disablility April 24, 
1862; John A. Green; Thos. H. B. Hollar, died November 16, 
1861, of fever; Austin A. Hull, died at Atlanta, Georgia, July 
22, 1864; John Hileman, discharged April 24, 1862, disability; Tim- 
othy Holmes, Aaron Kibler, William Lininger, promoted corporal, 
died at Shiloh April 3, 1863, of fever; William Lambert, David 
Moreland, killed at Shiloh; George Madden, Alexander McClean deserted 
July 25, ] 861; John Printz, Benjamin Ramsey, died near BoHvar, Tennes- 
see, December 4, 1861, of fever; Ebenezer Roberts, discharged February 
10, 1863, disability; William Robertson, George Reedy, wounded at 
Shiloh, died of wounds at Mound City, IHinots; Oswald Schanoz, Andrew 
T. Sampson, Frank Shaeffer, David R. Shockey, John K. Smith, dis- 
charged June 4, 1862, for disability ; John M. Tilton, Levi Talbot, wounded 
at Jackson, Mississippi, July 16, 1863, discharged December 6, 1863; Cas- 
par S.Troutman, Jacob Will, wounded at Shiloh; James H. White, dis- 
charged for disability, December 14, 1861 ; William YingHng, captured at 
Shiloh, April 6, 1862, discharged at Washington, D. C, Feb. 26, 1863. 

Additional Enlistments. — Robert Alexander, mustered in August 16, 
1861; David Alexander, mustered in x\ugust 16, 1861, died February 23, 
1862; Duane Dupont, mustered in August 16, 1801; Henry H. Gould, 
mustered in August 16, 1861, died January 10, 1862, of disease; Henry 
Gould, mustered in August 16, 1861; David Gould, mustered in August 
16, 1861; Cornelius N. Gobin, mustered in August 16, 1861; William F. 
Green, mustered in September 0,1861, wounded at Shiloh; Daniel S. 
Jones, mustered in August 16, 1861, died at Sedalia, Mo., December 3, 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 481 

1861; Geo. Miller, mustered in August 16, 1861, wounded at Shiloh; Ed- 
ward Finefield, mustered in July 17, 1861; transferred from Company G, 
January 1, 1862; Francis M. Nichols, mustered in April 2, 1864. 

Company H. — Robert Slater, 8th corporal; mustered in July 17, 1861; 
promoted 2d sergeant, August 6,1861; returned to ranks October 13, 
1862. 

SEVENTH INFANTRY. 

Comp>any G. — Walter Camp, 2d lieutenant; commissioned July 24, 1861; 
taken prisoner at Corinth; P. A. Harrington, 1st sergeant, reduced to 
ranks at his own request January 1, 1862, wounded at Corinth; Edward 
H. Morton, 1st corporal, promoted from private; Warren Williams. 

[No date of muster found for these men.] 

John Sergent, mustered in March 19, 1864; company unknown. 

EIGHTH INFANTRY. 

Company G. — Mustered in September 20, 1861. Jonathan H. Hopkins, 
1st corporal, taken prisoner at Shiloh; William P. Bush, 3d corporal, 
killed at Shiloh ; Nathaniel Cloud, 6th corporal, wounded at Shiloh, died 
of wound, April 14, 1862; Samuel Hopkins, musician. 

Privates. — Noah Chamberlain, taken prisoner at Shiloh; Geo. W. 
O'Neil, wounded at Shiloh; Henry Pfoff; Henry S. Kephart, mustered 
in May 26, 1864, additional enlistment; George P. Moore, mustered in 
April 19, 1864, additional enlistment. 

Company I. — Thomas Johnson, mustered in September 12, 1861, 
wounded at Corinth, additional enlistment; William Lewis, went into 
quarters October 8, 1861, additional enlistment. 

NINTH INFANTRY. 

Company A. — Herbert E. Nixon, mustered in March 17, 1864, addi- 
tional enlistment; George C. Searle, mustered in March 17, 1864, dis- 
charged May 11, 1865, additional enlistment. 

Company B. — Lorenzo D. Carlton, first sergeant, mustered in Septem- 
ber 24,- 1861, reduced to ranks November 1, 1862, discharged December 
2, 1862; Oliver N. Fuller, musiered in August 12, 1861; Benton Green, 
private, mustered in August 25, 1861, discharged January 27, 1862; 
Horace Hagar, private, mustered in September 24, 1861, discharged 
July 2, 1862; Stephen M. Weeks, private, mustered in September 24, 
1861, died October 15, 1865, of chronic diarrhoea. 

Company D. — Albert Clark, private, mustered in March 10, 1864, 
additional enlistment. 

Company K. — August Kriger, additional enlistment, mustered in 
March 14, 1864, mustered out with regiment; Jerome H. Sisson, addi- 
tional enlistment, mustered in March 22, 1864, mustered out June 10, 
1865, with regiment; Geo. W, Erian, recruit, unassigned to company, 
mustered in February 27, 1864, for three years. 



482 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

TENTH INFANTRY. 

Field and Staf. — Wm. E. Small, colonel, commissioned lieutenant 
colonel September 10, 1861, promoted November 2,1862, honorably dis- 
chared August 19, 1863; James Trusdell, mustered in as second lieuten- 
ant company, D, September 28, 1861, promoted to quartermaster Sept. 
29, 1861, resigned January 28, 1863; George Eastman, hospital steward, 
(no date); John Roberts, fife major, from musisician, Company H, mus- 
tered in November 1, 1861. 

Company D. — Mustered in September 28, 1861. Solomon Shepherd, 
captain, promoted from first lieutenant Company H, March 2, 1862, dis- 
charged March 20,1865; Henry Biggs, musician, discharged August 24, 
1861. 

Privates.— ]o\^n R. Denton, died at New Madrid, April 13, 1862; 
Edward De Bezy, Samuel Ruetch, Robert H. Sheets, wounded at Cham- 
pion Hills, Miss., discharged December 7, 1863. 

Company E. — Mustered in September 6, 1861. Levi M. Phillips, third 
sergeant, promoted from second corporal, discharged September 9, 1882. 

Privates. — Henry Grimm, Abram Hess, wounded at Champion Hills, 
transferred February 15, 1864, to invalid corps; Samuel Holderness, 
Henry Kloos, Abram PhilUps, killed near Charleston, Mo., January 8, 
1862; George Searles, William W. Williamson, died July 17, 1862, diar- 
rhea; John W. Albin, additional enlistment, mustered in March 7, 1864, 
wounded slightly at Kenesaw Mountain, June 15, 1864. 

Company F. — Mustered in September 7, 1861. Privates: Henry Biggs, 
Thomas Swearingen, killed in battle at Chattanooga, Tenn.; Jas. R. 
Stroud, additional enlistment, mustered in September 28, 1861. 

Company H. — Mustered in September 7, 1861. Solomon Shepherd, 
first lieutenant, promoted to captain. Company D; John Roberts, musician, 
promoted to fife major. 

Privates. — WiUiam Cox, died October 5, 1862, of wounds received at 
Corinth; Joseph ConckHn, EUiot Cross, wounded at Champion Hills, 
Miss.; H. C. Groves, Solomon Gillaspie, discharged July 1, 1864, for 
wounds received at Chattanooga; Bradley A. Harrington, discharged 
April 28, 1862; James Hockingberry, William W. Hoin, died November 
28, 1861, of dieease; Thomas Johnson, Walter McAdams, wounded 
severely at Champion Hills; John Morford, transferred to invalid corps, 
September 15, 1863; Stephen Randall, John A Roarick, Geo. C. Walker, 
died at Jackson, Miss., October 6, 1882, of wounds received in battle. 

Company K. — Alexander Ladow, fourth sergeant, mustered in Sep- 
tember 28, 1861, discharged August 27, 1862; Nicholas Carr, third cor- 
poral, mustered in September 28, 1861, discharged December 4, 1862. 

Privates. — Edmund B. Chadwick, mustered in October 11, 1861, cap- 
tured at Champion Hills; Joseph Mash, mustered in October 2, 1861; 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 483 

John Metzin^er, mustered in October 2, 1861; Jacob Stebler, mustered 
in September 28, 1861. 

ELEVENTH INFANTRY. 

Field and Staff. — Frederick Lloyd, assistant surgeon; mustered in 
October 22, 1861; surgeon in Sixteenth Infantry, June 4, 1862; Dennis P. 
Greely, commissary sergeant, promoted from second sergeant, Company 

B, October 1, 1861. 

Company C. — Mustered in October 3, 1861. Privates: James Gray, 
mustered in October 3, 1861, captured near Atlanta, Ga., July 21,1864, 
died at Andersonville, October 13, 1864, while prisoner of war; Geo, 
W. Gray, died at Savanah, Tenn., March 23, 1862; James D. Hamilton. 

TWELFTH INFANTRY. 

JField and Staf. — Sanford W. Huft', surgeon, mustered in September 16, 
1862. 

Company D. — Privates: Samuel H. Flint, mustered in October 26, 
1861, missing in battle of Shiloh; Warren A. Flint, mustered in October 
26, 1861, missing at Shiloh. 

THIRTEENTH INFANTRY. 

Field and Staf . — James Boucher, assistant surgeon, mustered in Nov. 
2, 1861, major and surgeon U. S. V., April 4, 1862; J. Crawford Mor- 
rison, mustered in as private and promoted successively to hospital 
steward, additional surgeon, and assistant surgeon. 

Company A — Additional Enlistments^ Privates: George W. Hoffman, 
mustered in April 13, 1864, missing in action near Atlanta Ga., July 22, 
1864; Benjamin McClellan, mustered in April 13, 1861, died at Louisville, 
Ky., May 25, 1864; John C. Pisel, mustered in April 13, 1864, died of 
wounds Aug. 21, 1864; William Sergeant, mustered in March 23, 1864, 
missing in action near Atlanta, Ga., July 22, 1864. 

Company I — Additional Enlistments^ Privates: John C. Morrison, [no 
date]; L. Parker Aylworth, mustered in Nov. 1, 1861, killed in battle at 
Shiloh. 

Company K. — Privates: James Beck, mustered in Oct. 21, 1861, 
wounded at Shiloh; Stewart Hartman, mustered in Oct. 10, 1861. 

FOURTEENTH INFANTRY. 

Field and Staff. — Edward W. Lucas, lieutenant colonel, mustered in 
Nov. 16, 1861, missing in the battle of Shiloh, resigned March 12, 1863; 
Wm. H. Kirkwood, major, from 1st lieutenant, company K, mustered in 
Sept. 8, 1862. 

Company A.— Mnsi^redm Oct. 23, 1861 : John Pattee, captain; John 

C. Rutan, 2d lieutenant. 

Company ^'.—Mustered in Oct. 23, 1861: Bradley Mahana, captain; 
Marvin R. Luse, 1st lieutenant; Joseph Schell, 2d lieutenant. 



484 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Company F. — Mustered in Nov. 2, 1861. William H. Shuey, captain^ 
mustered in as 1st lieutenant, promoted March 14, 1863; John E. Douglas, 
1st sergeant; John F. Hill 4th sergeant, mustered in as 5th sergeant, 
promoted March 29, 1862, died May 24, 1862; Lorenzo Davis, 2d 
corporal, missing in battle at Shiloh, discharged Feb. 26, 1863; William 
W. Morton 4th corporal, captured at Shiloh; Benjamin F. Jacobs, 6th 
corporal, killed at Shiloh; George P. Stephens, musician, transferred to 
Invalid corps Aug. 19, 1863; Thomas Grayham, wagoner, captured at 
Shiloh, discharged Jan. 8, 1863. 

Privates. — Franklin Bowers, discharged at Shiloh, July 8, 1862; 
Ranolph Cook, discharged Feb. 20, 1864; James Coughenour; Simon H. 
Davault, died at Corinth, July 17, 1862, diarrhea; Henry A. Els worth, 
wounded slightly at Pleasant Hill, La., April 9, 1864; Allen J. Eddy; 
Joseph Gillett, captured at Shiloh, wounded and captured at Pleasant Hill, 
La., April 9, 1864; Pleasant Harris, discharged March 1, 1862; Samuel P. 
Hodge, Jonathan Langle, captured at Shiloh, discharged Feb. 12, 1863, 
for disability; John M. Runyan, N. B. Shepardson, discharged July 16, 
1862, for disability; William Walt, wounded and captured at Shiloh; 
Wenzel Watrabek, discharged Sept. 4, 1862; Francis M. Zyke, killed in 
battle at Shiloh. 

Company G. — Andrew H. Hazelett, 5th sergeant, mustered in Nov. 2, 
1861, captured at Shiloh. 

Company K. — William W. Kirkwood, 1st lieutenant, mustered in Nov. 
6, 1861, promoted to major Sept 8, 1862. 

FIFTEENTH INFANTRY. ADDITIONAL ENLISTMENT. 

Com-pany D. — David H. Boget, mustered in October 17, 1864, for three 
years, drafted, mustered out with regiment; James Gould, mustered in 
October, 17, 1864, for one year, drafted, mustered out with regiment; 
Thomas Mannan, mustered in October 15, 1864, drafted, deserted June 
30th, 1865; Allis Shallmiser, mustered in October 15, 1864, drafted, mus- 
tered out with regiment. 

Company H. — Benjamin F. Jordan, mustered in March 22, 1864, for 
three years; John W. Stage, mustered in April 1, 1864, for three years, 
not assigned to company. 

SIXTEENTH INFANTRY. 

Field and Staff. — Charles W. Fracker, quartermaster, reigned Septem- 
ber 3, 1862; Frederick Llo3^d, surgeon, mustered in June 29, 1862, was 
assistant surgeon in Eleventh Infantry. 

Company B. — Additional Enlistments. Fred Frank, mustered in April 
14, 1864, missing July 21, 1864, returned to company September 22, 
]864; Christian D. Wulf, mustered in April 20, 1864, wounded at Atlanta, 
Ga., and died at Rome, Ga., July 18, 1864. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 485 

Company D. — Edwin R. Lewis, mustered in January 28, 1862, dis- 
charged Aujjfust 10, 1862; John Naylor, mustered in Jan. 28, 1862, died 
June 18, 1862, disease; Michael Weaver, mustered in January 28, 1862. 

Company E. — Michael Fitzpatrick, mustered in December 17, 1861, 
taken prisoner at Shiloh; Alexander Shepard, mustered in February 20, 
1862, died at St. Louis, April 28, 1862. 

Company G^.— Mustered in March 12, 1862. Ely McConnell, 8th cor- 
poral, mustered in as private; Charles Corsant, wagoner, taken prisoner 
at Holly Springs, December 20, 1862. 

Privates. — Patrick Boyle, wounded at Shiloh, discharged October 14, 
1862; Louis Brandt, deserted at St. Louis, April 1, 1862; Charles Cor- 
sant, wounded at Shiloh; Chris. Gossenberger; Henry Bedel meyer, dis- 
charged June 28, 1862; Jacob Vetter, captured at Atlanta, July 22, 1864. 

Company I. — David Merry man, mustered in March 24, 1862, died 
May 30, 1862, of disease; Lemuel Madden, mustered in March 24, 1862. 

Additional Enlisments. — ^John Pitts, mustered in April 30, 1864, miss- 
ing in action, July 22, 1864; George W. Haskell, mustered in October 
17, 1864. 

Unassigned to Company. — Alexander Dunlap, substitute, mustered in 
October 26, 1864, for one year; Frank Frick, mustered in April 14,1864, 
for three years; William A. Hobbie, mustered in March 17, 1864, for 
three years; drafted. 

SEVENTEENTH INFANTRY. 

Field and Staff. — Jacob H. Ealy, surgeon, mustered in November 25, 
1882, resigned May 29, 1865. 

EIGHTEENTH INFANTRY. 

Company G. — William Fetridge, private, mustered in August 6, 1862, 
captured at Lewisburg, Arkansas, May 8, 1864. 

TWENTIETH INFANTRY. 

Field and Staf. — Jasper H. Rice, quartermaster, mustered in August 
25, 1862. 

Company F. — Additional enlistments : Leonard W. Bordwell, private, 
mustered in March 22, 1864, for three years; Augustus C. Woody, pri- 
vate, mustered in March 22, 1864. 

Company H. — Additional etilistjnents : Albert H. Lucore, private, 
mustered in March 22, 1862, for three years; Lewis E. White, private, 
mustered in March 22, 1864. 

TWENTY-SECOND INFANTRY. 

Field and Staff. — Mustered in September 9 and 10, 1862. Harvey 
Graham, mustered in as major, promoted to lieuteuant-colonel September 
31 



486 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

17, 1862, colonel May 1, 1864, made prisoner at Vicksburg, May 22, 
l863; John Henry Gearkee, major, mustered in as captain company B, 
promoted May 6, 1864, wounded slightly at Vicksburg; William H. 
White, surgeon, resigned December 14, 1863; Alfred B. Lee, assistant 
surgeon, promoted surgeon January 19, 1864, died April 5, 1864; John 
■C. Shrader, surgeon, mustered in as captain company H, promoted May 
1, 1864; William A. Dinwiddle, assistant surgeon, promoted from hos- 
pital steward, mustered in May 16,1862, resigned February 21, 1865; 
John W. Porter, adjutant, mustered in as first lieutenant company F, 
promoted December 20, 1862, resigned January 29, 1863; David J. 
Davis, mustered in as first lieutenant compan}^ A, afterwards promoted to 
captain, and adjutant, wounded May 1, 1863; Samuel D. Pr3^ce, adju- 
tant, mustered in February 21, 1864, afterwards captain company A; 
John E. Stansbury, assistant surgeon, commissioned April 3, 1865, mus- 
tered out as private company I; Oscar B. Lee, adjutant, commissioned 
October 1, 1864, died October 31, 1864, of wounds received at Cedar 
Creek, Va.; Chauncey F. Lovelace, quartermaster, commissioned 
August 22, 1862; John L. Buddy, quartermaster sergeant, was private 
in company F, returned to company; John W. Lee, mustered in Aug- 
ust 26, 1862 as sixth corporal, promoted to quartermaster sergeant Octo- 
ber 1, 1862; Alexander H. Brown, commissary sergeant, from fourth 
sergeant company K, commissioned August 14, 186ii; John Lenderman, 
mustered in as musician company F, August 26, 1862, promoted Novem- 
ber 3, 186] ; James W. Sterling, quartermaster, mustered in April 12, 
1863, was first lieutenant company F. 

Company A. — Charles N. Lee, captain, was in company B, 1st infantry; 
David J. Davis, 1st lieutenant, was private in 1st infantry, declined pro- 
motion to captain, killed at Winchester; William W. Hughes, 2d lieuten- 
ant, was quartermaster sergeant in 1st infantry, resigned August 3, 1863; 
Samuel C. Jones, 1st sergeant, afterward 1st lieutenant, taken prisoner at 
Winchester; Calvin H. Bane, 2d sergeant, commissioned Oct. 2, 1864, 
wounded at Cedar Creek, Va.; Joseph F. Latta, 3d sergeant, was in 1st 
infantry; Peter B. Boarts, 4th sergeant, wounded at Cedar Creek; John 
T. McGuier, 5th sergeant, wounded at Vicksburg; James H.Trimble, ^st 
corporal, was m Company B, 1st infantry; Daniel J. Roberts, 2d corporal; 
Wilson S. Tuttle, 3d corporal; Hurbert H. Jones, 4th corporal; John L. 
Fleming, 5th corporal, captured Feb. 22, 1864, while acting as scout; Ira 
McCallister, 6th corporal; George J. Wheeler, 7th corporal, transferred 
to veteran reserve corps May 1, 1864; Wallace Jackson, 8th corporal; 
WiUiam H. Harvey, musician; Samuel D. Pryce, musician; Wm. Hock- 
inberry, wagoner, discharged May 25, 1863. 

Pr/x;«/^5— Mustered in August 21 and 22, 1862: John W. Alt, dis- 
charged Nov. 13, 1862; Benjamin F. Akers, Wm. L. Barnes, Elmer J. C- 
Bealer, Joseph F. Brophy, Franklin W. Butler, died in Texas, Dec. 22, 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 4S7 

1863; Nicholas H. Boyce, captured at Winchester, Va., discharged June 
2, 1865, at Davenport; John A. Burke, William H. Bechtel, Francis A. 
Beranck, Geo. W. Burright, Addison Burright, Isaac H. Boughton, dis- 
charged June 3, 1863; Peter R. Baker, died April 8, 1865, at Savannah, 
Ga.; Henry D. Carson, mustered in Aug. 30, 1862; Anderson M. Cleghorn, 
Thos. Chamberlain, died May 25, 1863, of wounds received at Vicksburg; 
Enoch Connor, John Casey, William L. Cleghorn, died at Memphis, 
Tenn., Aug. 20, 1863; John Dohrer, William Dudley, Jacob Erb, wounded 
at Winchester, Va.; Reuben Erb, died at Vicksburg, Aug. 18, 1863; 
Peter C. Eberly, Jacob Fesler, transferred to invalid corps Feb. 2, 1864; 
Alexander H. Huft', died at New Orleans, Sept. 26, 1863; Chester Hunter, 
wounded at Winchester; Upton C. Holderman, Joshua B. Hughes, John 
W. Howza, Edwin Hague, discharged for disability Dec. 16, 1862; Albert 
Hobbs, Andrew J. Hamilton, mustered in Aug. 30, 1862, wounded at 
Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 19, 1864; Cary Hopkins, mustered in Aug. 30, 
1862, died at New Carthage, La., May 25, 1863; Rial M. Jones, Wm. W. 
Johnson, Francis M. Kester, Edward B. Lucas, discharged April 11, 1863, 
for disability; John A. Livingston, Oscar B. Lee, Wm. H. Loan, Harvey 
McCorcle, John E. Meads, wounded at Winchester, discharged June 29, 
1865; Solomon McGee, wounded at Winchester, Va.; Noel Morrison, 
wounded at Winchester, and died there of wounds, Sept. 20, 1864; Samuel 
Miller, Jr., Wm. A. Moore, Jas. McGuire, died at Jackson, Miss., July 20, 
1863 ; Alfred W. Moore, Thos. Moore, Mathe w Negla, transferred to veteran 
reserve corps, March 15, 1864; Samuel Nivison, Anthony C. Rigg, trans- 
ferred to veteran reserve corps; Geo. W. Smith, discharged Dec. 16, 
1862; James A. Smith, wounded at Winchester, discharged Jan. 25, 1865; 
Emanias Sailor, died Aug. 5, 1863, on hospital steamer; Selva S. Street, 
Robert J. Smith, captured at Winchester; Samuel J. Switzer, Jacob C. 
Switzer, wounded at Winchester; James L. Switzer, transferred to vet- 
eran reserve corps; Elias Sailor, Oliver J. Thompson, Wm. Tyler, 
wounded at Jackson, Miss., July 17, 1863; Richard Thomas, died at New 
Orleans, Sept. 7, 1863; Barney J. Tallman, captured at Winchester; 
Oliver M. Wheeler, John H. Wheeler, John A. Warner, James H. White, 
Edmund H. Wilcox. 

Additional Enlistment. — George W. Alt, mustered in Feb. 27, 1864, for 
three years. 

Company B. — Mustered in Aug. 25, 1862. John Henry Gearkee, cap- 
tain, was sergeant in companv B, 1st infantry, wounded at Vicksburg; 
John Remick, 1st lieutenant, promoted to captain. May 7, 1864, resigned 
Oct. 13, 1864; Joseph S. TurnbuU, mustered in as private, afterwards ser- 
geant, captain, and mustered out as 1st lieutenant, wounded at Vicksburg; 
James A. Boarts, 1st lieutenant, died at Winchester, Va., Sept. 25, 1864, 
of wounds received Sept. 19, 1864; Frank M. Thompson, 2d sergeant, 
reduced to ranks Dec. 28, 1862; Lewis P. P. Dull, 3d sergeant, reduced 



488 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

to ranks Oct. 8, 1862, discharged June 26, 1863, disability; John D. Bane, 
3d sergeant, from 4th, killed in battle at Winchester, Va., Sept. 19, 
1864; Zachariah Shearer, 4th sergeant, mustered in as private, promoted 
Oct. 8, 1862; William Owers, 5th sergeant, reduced to ranks Oct. 8, 
1862; Aaron Jewell, 1st corporal, reduced to ranks Oct. 8, lb62, dis- 
charged June 11, 1863, disability; William Franklin, 2d corporal, pro- 
moted 1st corporal Oct. 8, 1862, wounded in the battles of Port Gibson 
and Winchester; George Watts, 2d corporal, reduced to ranks Oct. 8 
1862; Abijah Tuttle, 4th corporal, promoted to 2d corporal Oct. 8, 1862, 
died at Rolla, Mo., Feb. 4, 1863; John W. Boots, mustered in as 5th cor- 
poral, promoted to 3d corporal Oct. 8, 1862, wounded in battle at Vicks- 
burg, and died there of wounds, June 13, 1863, was previously in 1st infan- 
try; David Jordan, 6th corporal, promoied to 4th corporal Oct. 8, 1862, 
killed in battle at Vicksburg; George P. Overfelt, 7th corporal, promoted 
5th corporal Oct. 8, 1862; WiUiam Hills, 7th corporal, promoted Oct. 8,. 
1862, captured at Winchester; Robert Tarbet, musician ; John Brooks, 
musician, transferred; Edward Mulhern, wagoner, wounded at Cedar 
Creek. 

Privates — James L. Allen, Lafayette Alley, John Ackley, Patrick H. 
Burns, was previously in 1st infantry; Jacob Van Brimmer, died Oct. 19, 
1864; William R. Boyd, discharged Dec. 22, 1862; Dan M. Ball, died at 
Ste. Genevieve, Mo., March 22, 1863; Geo. W.Brown, wounded at Vicks- 
burg; Levi H. Bray, Conard Bader, William Caskey, Miles E. Camp- 
bell, David H. Dorwart, died at St. Louis, May 7, 1863; John Dick, trans- 
ferred to Invalid Corps, Jan. 15, 1864; James Douglass, Jr., Christian 
Detwiler,Jr., died at Vicksburg, May 24, 1863, of wounds received in battle 
May 22, 1863; Benjamin Dunbar, discharged July 16, 1864, for disability; 
Albert Davis, Christian Dodt, wounded at Cedar Creek, Va., Oct, 14, 
1864, discharged Jan. 20, 1865; Benjamin Eckert, Sinary H. Eisterr, 
wounded at Vicksburg; Eber W. Fosbury, James W. Fackler, Seth 
Foster, William H. Foster, discharged Feb. 2, 1864, for disability; Wil- 
liam Fisher, August Fisher, captured at Vicksburg; Frederick L. Goe- 
way, John Goodey, Robert Goodey, William Gearkee, captured at 
Indianola, Texas; James Harbert, died at Washington, D. C, Aug. 11, 
1864; Joseph D. Harbert, Wm. D. Harbert, John W. Harbert, Thomas 
Harper, wounded at Port Gibson, Miss., captured at Vicksburg, and 
died at that place June 8, 1863; Rufus J. Hoy, wounded at Vicksburg, 
died September 20, 1863, of disease; Ernest Haberstroh, wounded at 
Vicksburg, transferred to invalid corps, April 30, 1864; James Hankins, 
Edwin Irvin, Henry Kreuzmann, discharged at New Orleans, January 
30, 1864; George Lunnon, wounded at Winchester, Va., Sept. 19, 1864, 
leg amputated, discharged May 29, 1865; Alonzo Lee, John McCarty, 
killed in battle at Winchester; Henry Merhng, died at St. Louis, 
July 21, 1862; Geo. S. Maxwell, captured at Winchester; Frank Nowak, 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 489 

John Paulus, wounded in the hand at Vicksburg; William L. Rice, 
Alexander Rever, David P. Robertson, killed in battle at Magnolia Hills, 
Miss., May 1, 1863; Christian Ricord, John R. Scraggs, wounded in the 
foot at Vicksburg; Henry D. Sumner, Daniel Strahle, John W. Sweet- 
man, Simon D. Sweetman, died at St. Louis, July 6, 1863; Alfred Smith, 
Adam Snyder, George Tomlin, wounded at Vicksburg, discharged tor 
disability, Feb. 2, 1864; Vaughan Naughan, William H. Wirt, Benjamin 
Williams, John Wilantt, James S. Wilson, Elias P. Ward, Joseph H. 
Work. 

Additional Enlistments.— V^WYvdm W. Clark, mustered in Sept. 6, 1864; 
Andrew Douglass, mustered in Feb. 29, 1864, wounded severely at Win- 
chester; James M. Hendricks, mustered in Sept. 9, 1862; Wm. T. Yar- 
bough, enlisted Jan. 5, 1864. 

Company D. — ^John Shalla, musician, enlisted August 2, 1862, dis- 
charged at CarroUton, La., for disability, Sept. 2, 1863. 

Company F. — Enlisted mostly during August, 1862. Alfred B. Cree, 
captain; John W. Porter, first lieutenant, promoted adjutant December 20, 
1862; Wm. G. Haddock, second lieutenant, resigned at Rolla, Jan. 7, 
1862; Geo. W. Handy, first sergeant; Wm. Ishell, second sergeant, was 
private in company K, first infantry; Lycurgus Remley, third sergeant, 
died at Vicksburg, Miss., June 15, 1863, of typhoid fever; Vigil Hartsock, 
fourth sergeant; Theodore Loveland, fifth sergeant; Henry A. Tidd, first 
corporal, discharged June 10, 1863, at Vicksburg, Miss., for disability; 
Henry Rutter, second corporal; Lewis Logan, third corporal; Isaac N. 
Halderman, fourth corporal, captured at Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 19, 1864; 
Samuel L. Wheeler, fifth corporal, reduced to ranks at his own request 
Oct. 4, 1882; Ed. H. Bovee, fifth corporal, promoted from private; John 
W. Lee, sixth corporal, promoted quartermaster sergeant Oct. 1, 1862; 
Wm. C. Luce, sixth corporal, promoted from seventh corporal, dis- 
charged for disability June 15, 1865; Wm. D. Hopwood, seventh corporal 
promoted from eighth corporal Oct. 1, 1862, discharged at Hilton Head, 
S. C, June 15, 1865, for wounds; Silas Hemphill, eighth corporal, pro- 
moted from private; Harvey S. Pool, musician; John Lenderman, musi- 
cian, promoted fife major Nov. 3, 1862; John W. Moore, wagoner. 

Privates. — Ch7ix\^^ W. Abel, Austin S. Barber, Richard A. Bick- 
erton, Algernon S. Barker, wounded May 1, 1863, at Port Gibson, 
Miss., transferred to veteran reserve corps, Sept. 30, 1864; Simeon Bar- 
nett; Philip H. Burgy, captured Sept. 19, 1864, at Winchester, Va.; Geo. 
W. Bell, captured Oct. 19, 1862, at Cedar Creek, Va.; John L. Buddy, 
promoted quartermaster sergeant Sept. 10, 1862, subsequently returned 
to company; Wm. B. Coventry, transferred to invalid corps, May 15, 
1864; George Converse, died at Jefl:erson Barracks, Mo., July 29, 
1864, of disease; Alonzo Chapman, George Chapman, Jtifterson Chap- 
man, Wm. M. Dillon, transferred, April 30, 1864, to invalid corps; Joseph 



490 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

V. Dodds, David II. Ely, wounded at Winchester, Va., Sept. 3 9, 1864, 
lost right arm, discharged at Davenport, May 2, 1865; Frederick Everett, 
James M. Fernean, wounded severely, Oct, 19, 1864, at Cedar Creek, 
Va., and died there of wounds, Oct. 21, 1864; George Foster, William C. 
Franklin, captured, date and place unknown; Lysander Fry, died at 
Vicksburg, Miss., July 25, 1863, of disease; Amos Fry, Joseph Fox, 
wounded severely in both feet and arm, Sept. 19, 1864, at Winchester, 
Va., discharged x\pril 11, 1865, at Davenport for wounds; Albert G. 
Gans, Richard H. Gabriel, Lewis Goben, captured Oct. 19, 1864, at 
Cedar Creek, Va.; Joel Hall, Wm. H. Harrison, Silas H. Hemphill, 
Jacob Hirk, wounded Sept. 19, 1864, at Winchester, Va.; Henry M. 
Heinrichs, John W. Huss, George Hunter, James Johnston, transferred to 
invalid corps March 15, 1864; George Kibler, discharged at Davenport 
June 29, 1865; Joseph Knapp, killed in battle at Winchester, Sept. 
19 1864; John Klenk, Charles W. Lewis, Stephen L. Knoland, deserted 
at St. Louis, Sept. 19, 1862; James W. Loud, transferred to invalid corps, 
April 30, 1864; Thomas Myers, James Montgomery, Edward Morgan, 
wounded severely in the back Oct. 19, 1864, at Cedar Creek, Va., died of 
wounds at Baltimore, Md., Nov. 30, 1864; Michael McCardel, discharged 
at Lousett's Plantation, La., April 21, 1863, for disability; Francis M. 
Payn, captured at Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 19, 1863; Obadiah T. Plum, 
transferred, Feb. 29, 1864, to veteran reserve corps; John Pearce, died of 
disease at St. Louis, June 27, 1863; Smith Pursel, James A. Pinney, 
wounded and captured at Winchester, Va., Sept. 19, 1864; Joseph Peters, 
George A. Remley, wounded slightly in the leg May 1, 1863, at Port 
Gibson; Joseph Ralston, Michael Ruppert, discharged at Davenport, for 
disability Jan. 25, 1865; John Rafter, wounded Sept. 19, 1864, at Winches- 
ter and died there Sept. 25, 1864; Albert Satia, Alfred Satia, enlisted 
Sept. 4, 1862, died at Baton Rouge, La., Jan. 11, 1864, of pneumonia; 
John Stauffer, discharged for rupture, Dec. 20, 1862; Conrad Strickler, 
wounded slightly in the leg Sept. 19, 1864, at Winchester, Va.: Geo. W. 
Stafford, transferred to invalid corps Feb. 2, 1864; Amos M. Scott, killed 
in battle at Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 19, 1864; Peter Shilling, wounded 
severely in the groin at Winchester, Va., Sept. 19, 1864; WiUiam Secor, 
wounded in the left knee May 22, 1863, at Vicksburg, Miss., discharged 
at Davenport, July 4, 1864, for disability; Asa B. Stiles, Peter Subberry, 
died at St. Louis, Mo., August 8, 1863, disease; John Singleton, discharged 
for disability at St. Louis, Mo., August 3, 1863; Isaac S. Struble, wounded 
slightly in the right foot at Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 19, 1864; Theodore 
Seifried, John A. Shay, discharged for disability at Davenport, Dec. 3» 
1863; David M. Smith, discharged Jan. 20, 1861, at Davenport, for disa- 
bility; Anslum Ten Eick, transferred to veteran corps, June 1, 1865, at 
Davenport; Samuel Tarbox, Charles Tippenhaur, killed in battle at Vicks- 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 491 

burg, Miss., June 13, 1863; Daniel Williams, Emory Scott, Joseph Worn- 
backer, William Yonter. 

Additional Enlistments. — Privates: Benjamin F. Bailey, enlisted Septem- 
ber 14, 1862, deserted at Davenport, Iowa, September 15, 1862; Simon 
Crowl, enlisted December 10, 1862, joined from second Missouri artillery; 
Ewalt Hener, enlisted December 10, 1862, joined from second Missouri artil- 
lery; John Hanson, enlisted December 10, 1862, joined from second Missouri 
artillery; Anton Inghousen, enlisted December 10, 1862, joined from second 
Missouri artillery; John Rhode, enlisted December 10, 1862, joined from 
second Missouri artillery; John Stepinger, enlisted December 10, 1862, 
joined from second Missouri artillery; Clement E. Hand, enlisted January 
26, 1864, died July 19, 1864; John W. Kinsey, enlisted December 21, 1863, 
died September 21, 1864; Alvin W. Pinney, enlisted November 14, 1863, 
killed Sept 19, 1864; John Spencer, enlisted February 10, 1864; Jonathan 
Woods, enlisted December 5, 1863, died of inflammation of the lungs. May 
28, 1864, at New Orleans, Louisiana; James Douglas, enlisted January 
23, 1865, mustered out with regiment; James M. Gruver, enlisted January 
17, 1865, mustered out with regiment; Wm. H. Holmes, enlisted Jan- 
uary 17, 1865, mustered out with regiment; Henry Montgomery, enlisted 
January 17, 1865, mustered out with regiment; Wm. M. Smith, enlisted 
January 12, 1865; Wm. I. Bowen, enlisted January 5, 1864; Charles M. 
Johnson, enlisted August 20, 1862. 

Company G. — Enlisted during month of August, except as otherwise 
commissioned September 10, 1862, stated. Isaac V. Davis, captain, 
enlisted July 25, 1862, resigned at Rolla, January 7, 1863; James 
O. Hawkins, first lieutenant, enlisted July 25, 1862, commissioned 
September 10, 1862; Geo. H. Shockey, second lieutenant, enlisted 
July 25, 1862, commissioned September 10, 1862, was private in Com- 
pany B, First Infantry; Thomas W. Lindsey, first sergeant, enlisted 
July 25, 1862, was private in Company B, First Infantry; Edwin L. 
Crain, second sergeant, enlisted July 25, 1862; John K. Duncan, third 
sergeant, enlisted July 25, 1862, wounded in the left leg, at Winchester, 
Va., September 19, 1864; Joseph D. Smith, fourth sergeant, reduced to 
ranks November 11, 1862; Fred M. Clarke, fourth sergeant, enlisted July 
25, 1862, promoted from fifth sergeant November 11, 1862; Robert D. 
Alcorn, fifth sergeant, enlisted August 9, 1862; promoted from first cor- 
poral November 11, 1862, promoted from second corporal October 2, 
1862; Wm. C. McConnell, first corporal, appointed wagon master Octo- 
ber 2, 1862; John Q. Mahan, first corporal, promoted from second corpo- 
ral, promoted from third corporal October 2, 1862, wounded slightly in 
the leg at Vicksburg, Miss., May 22, 1863, transferred to invalid corps 
September 3, 1863; Robert Wilson, second corporal, enlisted as fourth 
corporal, promoted to third corporal October 2, 1862, promoted to second 
corporal November 11, 1862, reduced to ranks December 15, 1862, 



492 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

wounded slightly in the face and leg May 22, 1863, at Vicksburg, Miss.; 
William D. Rice, second corporal, as fifth corporal, promoted successively, 
fourth, third, and second corporal; Henry G. Langenburg, third corporal, 
promoted from fourth corporal December 15, 1862, promoted from fifth 
corporal November 11, 1862, promoted from sixth corporal October 2, 
1862; Horace J. Bisbey, fourth corporal, enlisted as seventh corporal, and 
promoted successively, discharged for disability March 15, 1863, at 
Rolla; Benjamin W. Cole, enlisted as private, promoted successively 
eighth, seventh, sixth and fifth corporal; Hiram O. Keen, sixth corporal, 
promoted from seventh corporal, enlisted as eighth corporal, reduced to 
ranks November 26, 1862; Benjamin F. Dennis, enlisted as private, pro- 
moted eighth corporal Novemberll, 1862, seventh corporal, sixth corporal, 
December 15, 1862; William F. Beasley, seventh corporal, promoted from 
eighth corporal December 15, 1862, promoted November 26, 1862; Elias 
Smith, eighth corporal, promoted from private, transferred to Veteran 
Reserve Corps, April 30, 1864; Henry C. Grewell, musician; David R. 
Shockey, musician; John H. Howard, wagoner, died at Rolla, Mo., 
March 4, 1865, of disease. 

Privates. — Frederick Bloom, transferred to invalid corps April 30, 1864; 
Samuel Burdick, Alfred Bray, enlisted August 11, 1862, discharged at 
Vicksburg, Miss., for disability June 26, 1863; The. H. Bartholomew, 
wounded at Vicksburg, May 22, and died of wounds August 7, 1863, at 
Memphis, Tenn.; WiUiam Barker, died at Augusta, Ga., June 16,1865, 
disease; Josiah J. Barker, discharged for disability at Washington, D. C, 
January 15, 1865; John Batch, died of dysentery at Vicksburg, Miss., 
August 23, 1863; Edward Ball, Martin S. Brennan, Charles Coons, died 
Rolla, Mo., Nov. 20, 1862, of dysentery; Frank Crocker, discharged for 
disability January 15, 1863, at Rolla; Levi B. Concannon, William T. 
Dennis, discharged for disability June 27, 1863, at Vicksburg, Miss.; Eli 
J. Denman, discharged at St. Louis, Mo., October 8, 1863, for disability; 
James C. Duke, William M. DeCamp, was private in Company B, First 
Infantry, wounded at Port Gibson, Miss., May 30, 1862; Joshua Dover, 
discharged at St. Berwick, La., October 2, 1863, for disability; Daniel T. 
Denny, Nathiniel Eells, wounded slightly at Winchester, Va., September 
19, 1864; Jacob D. Fiske, discharged at Vermillion Hills, La., October 10, 
1863, for disability; Ferdinand J. Goftard, Larkin Garey, discharged for 
disability at Carrokon, La., July 13, 1864; John W. Grewell, John Hor- 
mel, wounded in the leg at Vicksburg, Miss., May 22, 1863, transferred to 
invalid corps March 15,1864; Saul Higgins, Emanuel Hostetler, wounded 
at Vicksburg, May 22, 1863, and died of wounds at Memphis, Tenn., June 
16, 1863; Jonathan Hanley, Jacob Kepford, wounded at Cedar Creek, 
Va., October 19, 1864; Junius A. Lawson, wounded at Vicksburg, May 
22, 1863, and died of wounds near Vicksburg, May 29; Henry 
Lingo, died at Rolla, Mo., January 28, 1863; Milton Lingo, trans- 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 493 

ferred to invalid corps April 30, 1864; Cawsay C. Lingo, died at Rolla, 
February 12, 1863; Richard L,inn, was private in First Infantr3% company 
B; Enos Lentz, John Loader, wounded severely in the arm at Cedar 
Creek, Va., October 19, 1864; Franklin V. Moffatt, Orsemus Moore, 
wounded slightly at Vicksburg, Miss., May 22, 1863; Samuel Marling, 
Louis H. Moore, died of chronic diarrhea on steamer City of Memphis, 
August 22, 1863; Daniel J. Morey, transferred to InvaHd Corps Septem- 
ber 1, 1863; John A. Marling, Abraham Miller, Henry Niger, discharged 
for disability at Keokuk, September 20, 1864; Edward L. Pardee,wound- 
ed slightly at Port Gibson, Miss., May 1, 1863; Thomas Frail, Wm. G. 
Perkins, killed in battle at Vicksburg, Miss., June 24, 1863; John A. Fin- 
ney, Jonah Robinson, Josiah P. Reynolds, Garrett Stevens, James F. 
Shaff, John A. Searight, Joseph J. Silverthorn, discharged for disability 
at Iron Mountain, Mo., March 6, 1863; John Smiley, Malen Schlasman, 
wounded severely in the neck at Vicksburg, Miss., May 22, 1863; David 
Smith, wounded severely May 22, 1863, and died May 28, 1863, at Vicks- 
burg, Miss; John G. Shillato, wounded severely in the shoulder, at Vicks- 
burg, May 22, 1863, discharged at Keokuk, June 10, 1864, for disabihty; 
Elias Smith, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, April 30, 1864; 
David Smelser, Marshall Z. Shaft', John W. Spencer, Henry Tharp, killed 
in battle at Winchester, Va., September 19, 1864; Milton Templeman, 
died on steamer City of Memphis, June 10, 1863, of typhoid fever; W. H. 
Templeman, John Toms, dscharged at Davenport, December 17, 1863, 
for disability; Hiram Toms, wounded severely in the arm and head, at 
Winchester, Va., September 19, 1864; Calvin Workman, discharged at 
Iron Mountain, Mo., June 17, 1863, for disability; John D.Woff", transferr- 
ed January 15, 1864, to Invalid Corps; Samuel Q. White, died at Milli- 
ken's Bend, L,a., April 8, 1863, of typhoid fever; Thomas J. Workman, 
died at New Orleans, La., November 17, 1863, of chronic diarrhea; Bing- 
ham Wood, wounded slightly at Vicksburg, Miss., May 22, 1863; Will- 
iam C. Warren, discharged for disability at Davenport, January 10, 1864; 
Barnett Workman, discharged at Rolla, Mo., December 18, 1862, for 
disability; Cyrus Wical, John M. Yockey, wounded severely in the left 
hand at Vicksburg, Miss., May 22, 1863. 

Additional Enlistments. — Privates: Albert T.Baker, enlisted Febru- 
ary 17, 1864, wounded slightly, October 19, 1864, at Cedar Creek, Va.; 
Theodore S. Baker, enlisted August 17, 1864; Francis B. Burdick, enlisted 
Jan. 16, 1864; Andrew L. Crain, enlisted February 22, 1864, captured 
October 19, 1864, at Cedar Creek, Va.; Robert Haddock, enlisted Feb- 
ruary 24, 1864; William O. Huss, enlisted February 22, 1864; Charles 
Kepford, enlisted February 25, 1864, wounded slightly October 19, 1864, 
at Cedar Creek, Va.; Jaspar M. Templeman, enlisted February 17, 1864; 
James M. Templeman, enlisted February 22, 1864; Thomas Wood, 
enhsted January 16, 1864. 



494 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Company H. — Enlisted during August and September, 1862. John 
Shraeder, captain; James L. Perry, first lieutenant; Daniel W. Hender- 
son, second lieutenant; John Walt, first sergeant, captured at Winchester, 
Va., September 19, 1864, died of typhoid fever, April 5, 1865, at Marengo; 
David N. Minor, second sergeant, killed in battle at Winchester, Va., 
September 19, 1864; Jacob Bollenbach, third sergeant, wounded May 22, 

1863, at Vicksburg, Miss., and died of wounds at Memphis, Tenn., June 8, 
1863; Joseph R. Chandler, fourth sergeant, wounded slightly at Vicks- 
burg, May 22, 1863; Lyman Worden, Jr., fifth sergeant; George W. Rey- 
nolds, first corporal, wounded severely at Cedar Creek, Va., October 19, 

1864, and died of wounds October 31, 1864, at Winchester, Va.; Charles 
Y. Hartley, second corporal; Frederick W. Fuhmeister, third corporal; 
discharged at Vicksburg, Miss., August 9, 1863, for disability; Charles 
C. Wyatt, fourth corporal; wounded at Vicksburg, Miss., May 22, 1863, 
in the right foot, and transferred to invalid corps, April 10, 1864; Andrew 
J. DeVault, fifth corporal; died of typhoid pneumonia, near Vicksburg, 
Miss., June 3, 1863; Adam Luberknecht, sixth coporal, wounded May 
22, 1863, at Vicksburg, Miss., in the right shoulder; Vincent F. Lilly, 
seventh corporal, killed in battle at Vicksburg, Miss., May 22, 1863; John 
M. Kreiger, eighth corporal, wounded at Vicksburg, Miss., May 22, 1863, 
and died of wounds May 25, 1863, near Vicksburg; William H. Stiles, 
musician; Rice Rowe, wagoner, enlisted August 11, 1862, and died Au- 
gust 24, 1863, at Memphis, Tenn.; Thomas Featherston, wagoner. 

Pr/z'«/e?5.— Joseph W. Armstrong, wounded slightly at Winchester, Va., 
September 19, 1864; Jacob G. Baylor, William O. Beam, enlisted Septem- 
ber 14, 1862; wounded in the left hip and right cheek at Vicksburg, Miss., 
May 22, 1863, discharged for disability at Davenport, November 25, 1863; 
Benjamin F. Berger, wounded severely May 22, 1863, at Vicksburg, Miss., 
and died of wounds at Memphis, Tenn., June 3, 1863; Charles C. Boget, 
Anthony Bower, captured at Winchester, Va., September 19, 1864, died 
of prison diarrhea, at Monroe, March 27, 1865; Addison Booth, wounded 
at Vicksburg, Miss., May 22, 1863, arm amputated; Pleasant P. Card- 
well, wounded severely in both feet May 22, 1863, discharged at Daven- 
port, December 26, 1865; John W. Carmichael, wounded in the head and 
thigh at Vicksburg, Miss., May 22, 1863, wounded in the head at Wm- 
chester, Va., September 19, 1864; Nelson B. Churchill, discharged at 
Iron Mountain, Mo., March 25, 1863, for disabiHty; Allen Cloud, wounded 
in the left arm at Vicksburg, May 22, 1863, discharged September 14, 
1863, at Memphis, Tenn., f f r disability; Samuel Coughenour, wounded at 
Vicksburg, Miss., May 22, 1863, died October 5, 1863, at New Orleans, 
La., of chronic diarrhea; Joseph Clure, captured at Winchester, Va., Sep- 
tember 19, 1864; Jacob Davis, wounded May 22, 1863, at Vicksburg, fin- 
ger amputated; John Davis, wounded severely in both hips at Vicksburg, 
Miss., May 22, 1863, and died of wounds at Memphis, Tenn., June 23, 1863; 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 495 

Jeremiah Daniels, wounded May 1, 1863, at Port Gibson, Miss., and at 
Vicksburg, May 22, 1863, captured at Winchester, Va., Sept. 19, 1864; 
Sylvester Deen, killed in battle at Vicksburg, Miss., May 22, 1S63; 
■ Henry F. Devault, Alexander Dunahugh, discharged for disability at 
Rolla, Mo., June 12, 1863, Caleb L. Eddy, wounded severely in the 
right hip, at Vicksburg, Miss., May 22, 1863; Geo. W. Flint, Charles E. 
Flint, Elijah Fordice, transferred to invalid corps March 15, 1864; Peter 
Z. Fowler, Wm. J, Gamant, enlisted Aug. 5, 1862, discharged for disabil- 
ity, at Rolla, Mo., Feb. 8, 1863; Ackless W. Geeslin, Geo. M. Goforth, 
Edward H. Goodisson, wounded in the hand at Vicksburg, Miss., May 
22, 1863; Horace H, Grosvenor, Thomas Griffiths, John Hall, died at 
Benton Barracks, Mo., Aug. 13, 1863, of chronic diarrhea; Wm. H. Hast- 
ings, wounded slightly at Vicksburg, May 22, 1863; Geo. F. Heminger, 
wounded severely at Vicksburg, Miss., May 22, 1863, and died of wounds 
June 8, 1863, at Memphis, Tenn.; John C. Hieber, James T. Holt, 
wounded Oct. 19, 1864, at Cedar Creek, Va., severely in the leg; William 
G. Hodge, transferred July 1, 1864, to veteran reserve corps; Elias P. 
Huffman, wounded May 22, 1863, at Vicksburg, in the right breast, and 
discharged at Memphis, Tenn., Aug. 14, 1863, for disability; Gabriel M. 
Huffman, captured near Lavacca, Texas, Jan. 22, 1864; George Hunt, 
wounded in the right arm and shoulder at Vicksburg, Miss., May 22, 
1863, transferred, May 1, 1864, to invalid corps; EHsha B. Judson, 
wounded in the face at Vicksburg, May 22, 1863; James M. Largent, 
wounded severely at Vicksburg, Miss., May 22, 1863, died of typhoid 
fever at Memphis, Tenn., May 26, 1864; Jonathan L. Largent, severely 
wounded at Vicksburg, June 10, 1863, and died near there June 24, 1863, 
of wounds; Henry Lingel, discharged at Rolla, Mo., Dec. 12, 1862, for 
disability; Charles E. Lelly, Benjamin Markley, Jacob F. Martin, wounded 
at Vicksburg, May 22, 1863; Albert H. Maxwell, Joseph Middleton, 
wounded severely May 22, 1863, at Vicksburg, Miss., and died near there 
of wounds May 28, 1863; Alexander Miller, captured at Winchester, Va., 
Sept. 19, 1864, died while prisoner of war at Salisbury, N. C, June 26, 
1865; Alfred Nicholas, wounded in the head and leg at Vicksburg, May 
22, 1863; John Olston, died at Vicksburg, Miss., June 26, 1863; Gabriel 
H. Patten, Jacob F. Pfeft, wounded in the knee at Vicksburg, Miss., and 
in the arm at Winchester, Va., Sept. 19, 1864; Albert H. Parsel, Edwin 
C. Peregoy, wounded severely at Vicksburg, May 22, 1863, and died 
there May 24, 1863; Maleon Phillips, discharged at St. Louis, for disabil- 
ity, Dec. 11, 1862; Emmor T. Pickerill, wounded at Jackson, Miss., July 
14, 1863; Sylvanus B. Rowe, Charles Rickard, Wm. H. H. Rosbough, 
severely wounded at Vicksburg, Miss., May 22, 1863, and died May 27, 
of wounds, near Vicksburg; Robert G. Shuey, wounded severely at 
Vicksburg, Miss., May 22, 1863, discharged at Davenport, Nov. 23, 1863, 
for disability; Jerome Smart, killed in battle at Vicksburg; William S. 



496 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Smart, discharged Oct. 7, 1804; at New Orleans, La., for disability; James 
W. Stearns, captured at Winchester, Sept. 19, 1864, died at Monroe» 
April 6, 1865, of typhoid fever; Alexander F. Stewart, Jared Strauser, 
captured at Winchester, Va., Sept. 19, 1864; Benjamin Tripp, wounded 
severely in the arm at Vicksburg, Miss., May 22, 1863; Luther Ulum, 
wounded slightly at Winchester, Va.; William A. Ulum, wounded slightly 
at Vicksburg, Miss., May 22, 1863; William Weed, wounded at Vicks- 
burg, May 22, 1862, in the leg; Charles A. Weed, wounded severely in 
the shoulder at Vicksburg, May 22, 1863; John T. Whittington, killed in 
battle at Port Gibson, Miss., May 1, 1863-; William Winterstein, Francis 
M. Williams, Jacob Zeller, wounded at Jackson, Miss., July 12, and died 
July 14, 1863, of wounds, near Jackson; Alexander Zike, wounded in the 
arm May 1, 1863, at Port Gibson, Miss. 

Additional Enlistments, — Privates: Marion Blaylock, unlisted Nov. 19, 
1863, wounded at Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 19, 1864; Wesley Harrich, 
enlisted March 30, 1864; Aaron Linderwood, enlisted March 26, 1864; 
Wilson S. Nicholas, enlisted March 20, 1864; James K. P. Rowe, enlisted 
Feb. 26, 1864, wounded in the leg, severely at Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 19, 
1864; Jonathan Ulum, enlisted March 24, 1864; William Winterstein 
enlisted March 26, 1864. 

Company I. — Enlisted Aug. 18, 1862. James Robertson, captain was 
corporal in company B, First Infantry; James W.TSterling, first lieutenant 
Westel W. Morsman, commissioned second lieutenant Sept. 9, 1862; 
Nicholas C. Messenger, first sergeant, captured at Vicksburg, Miss., 
May 22, 1863; Joseph E. Grifiith, second sergeant; Thomas C. Wyers 
third sergeant, discharged for disability at Baton Kouge, La., July 6, 1864; 
James W. Bane, fourth sergeant; Almon S. Danton, fifth sergeant; James 
McElroy, first corporal, discharged at Iron Mountain, Mo., 'March 6, 1863, 
for disability; Eli Butler, second corporal, captured at Vicksburg, May 22, 
1862; Morgan B. Hartsock, third corporal; Silas Poland, fourth corporal; 
Thomas D, Davies, fifth corporal;JohnW. Poland, sixth corporal, wounded 
slightly at Winchester, Va., Sept. 19, 1864; James B. Mathews, seventh 
corporal; James Bonham, eighth corporal; John Edly, musician ; John B. 
T. Guffen, musician; Daniel Mangus, wagoner, enlisted Aug. 18, 1862. 

Privates. — Leander L. Bonham, Edward Breese, Aaron R, Beall, 
Clement W. Baker, William R. Chapman, discharged at St. Louis, Mo., 
August 10, 1863, for disability; Samuel B. Clapp, Oliver Crocker, cap- 
tured at Cedar Creek, Va., October 19, 1864; William Crawford, Josiah 
A. Corlett, private in Company B, First Infantry; John W. Dunlap, dis- 
charged November 17, 1862, died at Iowa City, soon after; William G. 
Dorothet, Calvin Duke, James J. Edmonds, discharged March 6, 1863, at 
Iron Mountain, Mo., for disabihty; Arzel Edmonds, died December 28, 
1862, at Rolla, Mo., of bilious fever; George A. Edmonds, captured at 
Winchester, September 19, 1864; John Ellermann, Joshua Fowle, Samuel 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 497 

J. Forbes, Jacob H. Farver, died at Memphis, Tenn., June 27, 1863, dis- 
ease; Marshall D. Fry, killed in battle near Vicksburg, Miss., May 22, 
1863; William Griffin, Griffith W. Griffiths, died of chronic diarrhea, at 
Bermuda Hundred, Va., July 29, 1864; William Gaunt, discharged for 
disability at Vicksburg, Miss., May 30, 1863; James L. Griffith, wounded 
severely and captured at Vicksburg, May 22, 1863, and died there of 
wounds. May 24, 1864; John Hale, killed in battle at Vicksburg, May 22, 
1863; John R. Hughes, Thomas J. Hughes, discharged for disability June 
17, 1863; William Haines, wounded at Vicksburg, Miss., May 22, 1863, 
slightly in the head; George W. Hamilton, wounded slightly July — , 1863, 
at Jackson, Miss.; Noah F. Harrington, Edwin W. Hamlin, killed in bat- 
tle at Vicksburg, May 22, 1863; Thomas P. Jones, discharged for disa- 
bility, June 17, 1863; Joseph Jackson, wounded May 22, 1863, at Vicks- 
burg, and died at that place May 25, 1863, of wounds; Christopher KofF, 
died at St. Louis, May 14, 1863, of disease; John W. Kerns, discharged 
for disability February 12, 1864; Martin L. Kirk, killed at Vicksburg, 
May 22, 1863; John Llebis, George Larkham, John B. Lamb, killed in 
battle at Vicksburg, May 22, 1863; Wilbur F. Mills, F. M. McReynolds, 
wounded slightly at Winchester, Va., September 19, 1864; Thomas E. 
Marsden, John Nuser, Tolbert Poland, discharged at New Orleans, No- 
vember 8, 1864, for disability; Edward Pepler, discharged for disability at 
Carrolton, La., August 31, 1863; Daniel Ross, Nicholas Russell, enlisted 
August 18, 1862, killed in battle at Vicksburg, Miss., June 3, 1863; Wal- 
ter K. Saxton, discharged June 16, 1863, for disability; George E. Smith, 
John E. Stansbury, Horatio A. Swasey, captured November 24, 1863; 
Edwin Trine, David K. Trine, wounded slightly at Vicksburg, May 22, 
1863; John Timberlake, Seth Talbott, WilHam Wood, wounded slightly at 
Vicksburg, May 22, 1863, died at Memphis Tenn., June 2, 1863, of lock- 
jaw; Trollies Wheeler, discharged July 5, 1864, for disease of the lungs; 
Gilford M. Wright, died at Vicksburg, Miss., July 12, 1863, of chronic 
diarrhea; Stephen W. White, discharged for disability at Rolla, Mo., 
December 16, 1862; Simeon Woodling, died at Rolla, October 27, 1862, 
of measles; Uriah M. Kimberly, killed in battle at Winchester, Va., Sep- 
tember 19, 1864. 

Company ^.—Enlisted during August, 1862. George W. Clark, cap- 
tain; John Francisco, first lieutenant; Thomas Morrison, second lieuten- 
ant, commissioned Sept. 9, 1862; Oliver P. Hull, first sergeant; John 
Monro, second sergeant, discharged at St. Louis, 'for disability, Feb. 14, 
1863; Henry H. Rose, third sergeant, reduced to ranks, Dec. 23, 1862; 
Mathias W. Stover, third sergeant, promoted from fifth sergeant, Dec. 23, 
1862, wounded severely at Vicksburg, May 22, 1863, right arm amput- 
ated, transferred to Invalid corps, Sept. 1, 1863; Alexander H. Brown, 
fourth sergeant, promoted commissary sergeant, Dec. 23, 1862; David 
Higbee, fourth sergeant, promoted from first corporal; Thomas Ater, 



498 • HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

fifth sertreant, promoted from private; David Cleveland, first corporal, 
promoted from private; Michael Yoakum, second corporal; Albert Shel- 
ton, third corporal, discharged June 17, 1863, for disability; William 
Swayze, fourth corporal, reduced to ranks Oct. 9, 1862; Solomon Stark, 
fourth corporal, killed in battle at Vicksburg, June 24, 1863; Martin 
Swedensky, fifth corporal, killed in battle at Vicksburg, June 1, 1862; 
William J. Oldacre, sixth corporal, captured Oct. 19, 1864, at Cedar Creek, 
Va.; Joseph O'Dorstal, seventh corporal; Price Selby, eighth corporal; 
Jacob A. Fry, musician, discharged in Louisana, April 27, 1863, for disa- 
bility; Charles Lodge, musician; John W. Selby, musician, enlisted Aug. 
10, 1862; Paul Miller, musician, promoted from private; Daniel D. Con- 
rad, wagoner, discharged Jan. 18, 1864, for disability. 

Privates. — Karl Bedner, captured Feb. 22, 1864; Weizel Bemish, died 
at Baton Rouge, La., Sept. 10, 1864, of chronic diarrheo; Isaiah F. Bair, 
Charles Bowen, captured at Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 19, 1864; Jacob Bit- 
ner, wounded severelv in the leg at Fisher's Hill, Va., Sept. 22, 1864; 
Loren G. Cutler, mustered into service Sept. 3, 1862, captured at Win- 
chester, Sept. 19, 1864; Joseph Dworak, Jacob H. Detwiler, enlisted Aug. 

14, 1862; John Douglass, Henry C.Douglass, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862, died 
at St. Louis, July 23, 1863, of chronic diarrhea; Frederick G. Ealy, Sam- 
uel Fesler, wounded slightly. May 22, 1863, at Vicksburg; James J. Fow- 
ler, John J. Frank, Isaac Gillam, George W. Green, John Holbreck, Joseph 
Horack, John Heck, Joseph Holubar, William J. Hiler, transferred Jan. 

15, 1864, to Invalid corps; Thomas Huston, Edward Harris, discharged 
April 19, 1863; William C. Haynes, George W. Horner, Thomas J. John- 
son, John Klima, Frank Kouecny, James J. Lewis, Thomas Moore, dis- 
charged for disability, March 6, 1863; George W. Moore, died June 18, 
1863, at St. Louis, Mo., of chronic diarrhea; Lyman W. McKenzie, dis- 
charged Oct. 23, 1863, tor disability; Franc Mezik, discharged for disa- 
bility, Feb. 2, 1864; John R. McNamara, John Mcllree, killed in battle at 
Vicksburg, Miss., Ma}^ 22, 1863; Patrick Monaghan, wounded severely 
in the neck at Vicksburg, May 22, 1863; John M. Oldacre, John Pospishil, 
Aaron Plum, discharged Aug. 16, 1863, for disability; Aaron L. Rob- 
inson, died at Cairo, Ills., May 8, 1863, of chronic diarrhea; Alfred Rich- 
ardson, Thomas Simmons, Albert Skrabal, discharged April 10, 1864, at 
Matagorda Island, Texas, for disability; Jacob Sigafoose, died of typhoid 
fever, at Milliken's Bend, La., April 6, 1863; Lewis F. Sigafoose, Jacob 
Stover, wounded sHghtly at Winchester, Va., Sept. 19, 1864; Anthony 
Shoti; William Swayze, Thomas Skriban, Sylv. Starkweather, William 
Snider, Simon Taylor, John Teeter, was in company B, first infantry, 
wounded in the arm at Vicksburg, June 4, 1863, discharged Nov. 3, 1863, 
for disability; Benjamin Vancleave, John M. Williamson, killed in battle 
at Vicksburg, May 22, 1863; Franklin W. White, discharged June 16, 
1863, for disability; William Whitmore, Lewis Wigton, John Wiseman, 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. . 499 

Joseph Yaworski, discharged for disabihty, June 16, 1863; Alvis Yawor- 
ski, Wenzel Zika, wounded slightly at Port Gibson, Miss., May 1, 1863, 
captured at Winchester, Va., Sept. 19, 1864; Joseph Leipert, mustered 
out with regiment; Frank Placek, mustered out with regiment. 

TWENTY-THIRD INFANTRY. 

Comfany B. — Norman O. Lovejoy, discharged July 13, 1864, for disa- 
bility. 

TWENTY-FOURTH INFANTRY. 

Company B. — Additional Enlistments, Privates: James Fletcher 
enlisted March 31, 1864, wounded in the arm severely, at Winchester, 
September 19, 1864; Peter Garver, enhsted March 30, 1864; John M. 
Guthrie, enlisted March 30, 1864; Jacob Hurrel, enlisted March 30, 1864; 
John Sennat, enlisted March 31, 1864. 

Company C. — Additional Enlistments. James Leslie, private, enlisted 
March 22, 1864, for three years. 

Company Z^.— Enlisted during August, 1862. Jacob B. Casebeer, cap- 
tain; John H.Branch, second lieutenant, resigned on account of ill health, 
November 8, 1862; Charles A. Lucas, second lieutenant, promoted from 
second sergeant, December 16, 1862; Benjamin F. Bivins, fourth ser- 
geant, discharged for promotion to second lieutenant; Thirteenth Regi- 
ment, Corps D'Afrique, at New Orleans, La., January 2, 1864; Jeremiah 

B. Swaftbrd, first corporal, wounded in the knee at Champion Hills, Miss., 
May 16, 1863; William Ferguson, second corporal, William E. Berry, 
fourth corporal, enlisted August 7, 1862, wounded slightly at Winchester, 
Va., September 19, 1864; David W. Parrott, seventh corporal, DeWitt 

C. Holmes, eighth corporal, captured at Cedar Creek, Va., October 19, 
1864. 

Privates. — Lyman Bartletl, captured at Cedar Creek, Va., October 19, 
1864; Isaac S. Bowers, killed in action at Champion Hills, Miss., May 16, 
1863; C. Bumgardner, wounded at Champion Hills, wounded severely 
at Winchester, September 19, 1864, and died there of wounds October 8, 
1864; Thomas R. Chandler, wounded severely in the leg and thigh, at 
Winchester, September 19, 1864, discharged January 21, 1865, for 
wounds; Samuel Cozine, wounded at Champion Hills, Miss., May 16, 
1863; John N. Clark, died February 11, 1863, at Helena, Arkansas, of 
disease; Amzy Caldwell, died April 16, 1864, of disease; James B. Ford, 
Lorin E. Grout, James Hemmingway, Jr., killed in action at Champion 
Hills, Miss., May 16, 1863; Franz Herger,John E. Jayne, wounded shght- 
ly at Champion Hills, May 16, 1863; Simon Krouth, killed in action. May 
16, 1863, at Champion Hills, Miss.; Thomas E. Langdon, killed in action 
at Champion Hills, May 16, 1863; Rufus Lumbard, wounded at Helena, 
Ark., January 1, 1863, transferred April 10, 1864, to InvaHd Corps; Isaac 
Miller, wounded at Winchester, Va., September 19, 1864, in the thigh 



500 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

and foot; John U. Miiler, Albert G. Moore, wounded severely at Cham- 
pion Hills, Miss., May 16, 1863, and died at that place June 12, 1863, of 
wounds; Adam Nichle, died at Davenport February 24, 1864, of disease; 
Isaac Newton, wounded at Champion Hills, in the foot, discharged for 
wounds June 21, 1864; Francis M. L. Newton, Albert J. Reeder, enlisted 
August 22, 1862, discharged January 29, 1863, for disability; Israel M. 
Ritter, wounded severely September 19, 1864, at Winchester, Va., and died 
thereof wounds, October 4, 1864; John S. Ring, David Steinberger, killed 
in action at Champion Hills, Miss., January 16, 1863; Enoch Williams 
Charles Westenhaver, died at St. Louis, February 13, 1863. 

Additional Enlistments. — Jacob Goodsher, enlisted October 10, 1862, 
died at Helena, December 29, 1862; John F. Warner, enlisted October 11, 
1S62; Sylvester Akerley, enlisted March 12, 186i; Robert T. Axtell, 
enlisted March 14, 1864, for one year; Marion F. Ardray, enlisted March 

30, 1864, died January 25, 1865, at Frederick City, Maryland, of chronic 
diarrhea; Thomas Evans, enlisted March 9, 1864, wounded September 19, 
1864, died of wounds at Baltimore, November 15, 1864; Orin B* 
Ford,enlisted March 5, 1864, wounded in the thigh at Cedar Creek, 
Virginia, October 19, 1864; John S. Foote, enlisted February 
10, 1862, wounded at Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, April 9, 1864, dis- 
charged at New Orleans, December 16, for inflammation of the 
bowels; Edmund C. C. Geary, enlisted March 15, 1864, taken 
prisoner at Cedar Creek, Virginia, died at Salisbury, North Caro- 
lina, November 25, 1864, while prisoner of war; Riley Geary, enlisted 
March 9, 1864; John W. Gordon, enlisted March 26, 1864; Philip H. Ger- 
man, enlisted March 31, 1864; Jason Hurley, enlisted March 4, 1864; Wil- 
liam A. J. Hill, enlisted March 30, 1864, captured at Cedar Creek, Vir- 
ginia, October 19, 1864; Charlie W. Hill, enlisted March 28, 1864, died at 
Baltimore, Maryland, December 9,1864; Samuel Hopkins, enlisted March 
30, 1864; David P. Hawthorne, enlisted March 26, 1864, wounded severely, 
and captured at Cedar Creek, Viginia, October 19, 1864, discharged for 
wouuds at Davenport, January 25, 1865; Lafayette Hawthorne, enlisted 
March 26, 1864, died at Keokuk July 21, 1864, of disease; Edmond F. 
Holcomb, enlisted March 26, 1864, died of pneumonia at Memphis, Ten- 
nessee, May 5, 1864; Timothy Hunter, enlisted February 27, 1864, died 
May 20, 1864, of disease; Bradley A. Herrington, enlisted December 29 
1863; Samuel Jones, enlisted March 16, 1864; John Knott, enlisted March 

31, 1864,, wounded in the hand at Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864, 
transferred to veteran reserve corps; Noah Miller, enlisted March 
9, 1864, died at New Orleans, April 9, 1864; John C. Ohl, enlisted March 
12, 1864; Charles W. Romp, enlisted March 26, 1864, ca'ptured near 
Newmarket, Virginia, September 24, 1864; Sooter Spillaian, enlisted 
March 7, 1864, wounded severely at Winchester September 19, 1864; 
John E. Spencer, enlisted March 25, 1864: Charles W. Tappan, enlisted 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 501 

February 27, 1864; Christopher Tappan, enlisted February 27, 1864, died 
of gangrene at St. Louis, Missouri, July 28, 1864; Joseph A. Trimble, 
enlisted March 31, 1864; John M. Trimble, enlisted March 25, 1864; Cor- 
nelius M. Westfall, enlisted March 29, 1864, woundsd at Winchester, Vir- 
ginia, September 19, 1864, died of wounds October 14, 1864; Jeremiah 
Walker, enlisted March 26, 1864; Charles W. White, enlisted March 26, 
1864; Clark H. Stewart, enlisted January 28, 1865, died of fever at Beau- 
fort, South Carolina, April 11, 1865. 

Company /^ — Additional Enlistments^ Privates: Lewis E. Curts, 
enlisted March 25, 1864; Charles H. Colman, enlisted March 22, 1864; 
George S. Currie, enlisted March 31, 1864; Abram Hershey, enlisted 
March 30, 1864, died at Carrolton, La., June 13, 1864; Isaac Johnson 
enlisted March 22, 1864; Abram E. Kurtz, enlisted Mar. 25, 1864; Simon 
P. Myers, enlisted March 21, 1864; James M. Mushon, enlisted March 25, 
1864; Alfred J. Runkel, enlisted March 25, 1864. 

Company H. — David H. Helm, enlisted Feb. 29, 1864, additional enlist- 
ment. 

Recruits — Companies Unknown. Privates: Harrison Belle, enlisted 
March 14, 1864; Silas Munn, enlisted March 16, 1864; Edmond M. 
Sheldon, enlisted Oct. 31, 1864; David Caspar enlisted Jan. 25, 1865, for 
two years; Clark H. Steward, enlisted Jan. 28, 1865, for one year. 

TWENTY-FIFTH INFANTRY. 

Fieldand Staf. — Clark S. Kirkwood, adjutant, commissioned Aug. 20, 
1862, wounded severely in the leg at Arkansas Post, Jan. 11, 1863. 

TWENTY-EIGHTH INFANTRY. 

Field and Staff. — William E. Miller, colonel, commissioned Aug. 10, 
1862; James E. Pritchard, adjutant, commissioned Aug. 15, 1862; Thomas 
Hughes, quartermaster, commissioned Aug. 15, 1862; David Stewart, 
assistant surgeon, commissioned Sept. 16, 1862; J. Gardener Strong, ser- 
geant major, appointed Oct. 10, 1862; Joseph R. Snavely, quartermaster 
sergeant, appointed Oct. 10,1862, died Aug. 18, 1863, of disease; Edward 
Epeneter, commissionary sergeant, appointed Oct. 10, 1862. 

Cojnpany B — Additional Enlistments : Stephen Hunt, private, enlisted 
Jan, 18, 1864, for three years. 

Company E. — Officers commissioned Oct. 10, 1862. David Stewart, 
captain, promoted to assistant surgeon, Dec. 27, 1862; Daniel A. Shafer, 
first lieutenant; Scott Houseworth, second lieutenant, appointed Aug. 14, 
1862; William J. Huff", first sergeant; George M. Williams, second ser- 
geant; Michael D. Lininyer, third sergeant; Samuel Green, fourth ser- 
geant; John C. Camberlain, fifth sergeant, transferred Dec. 1, 1863, to 
Invalid corps; John A. Yarrick, first corporal; Alexander Riley, second 
32 



502 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

corporal; Augustus J. Georgia, third corporal, discharged; Mahlon S. 
Abbott, fourth corporal; Thomas J. Brown, fifth corporal, discharged; 
John Colony, sixth corporal; Benj. V. Leroy, seventh corporal, died at St. 
Louis, Jan. 29, 1863; John S. Hillman, eighth corporal; Sabert Ramsey, 
musician, enlisted Aug. 11, 1862; Jonathan Alloway, musician, wounded 
in the thigh at Berwick, La., March 7, 1864; James H. Anderson, wag- 
oner. 

Privates. — Enlisted from August 9 to 14, 1862. Simon P. Alloway, 
discharged July 18, 1863, for disabilit}^; John Andrews, missing at Win- 
chester, Va., Sept. 19, 1864; William Alexander, Hugh Bowman, killed 
in battle at Champion Hills, Miss., May 16, 1863; Elias C. Brant, Daniel 
J. Beltz, discharged for disability, Dec. 24, 1863; John Breneman, captured 
Oct. 5, 1862; Thos. L. Clark, Patrick H. Conroy, wounded severely at 
Cedar Creek, Va., and died of wounds at Davenport, Dec. 28, 1864; Mar- 
tin Campion, wounded slightly and captured at Winchester, Sept. 19, 1864; 
Isaac Charlton, died at New Orleans, July 16, 1864; John Cooney, Leroy 
W. Chamberlain, died at Helena, Ark., April 6, 1863, disease; William 
W. Clark, died of disease, May 5, 1863; Robert B. Clark, James Dicus, 
captured at Winchester, Sept. 19, 1864; Jacob V. Day, Charles H. Denni- 
son, died at Vicksburg, Miss., June 24, 1863, of disease; James Ewings, 
died Feb. 13, 1863, disease; Henry S. Eberly, wounded in the leg severely, 
at Winchester, Va., Sept. 19. 1864; Joseph Frazer, wounded slightly at 
Cedar Creek, Va.; Sylvester S, Georgia, captured near Mansfield, La., 
April 8, 1864; Nathan Gould, William Grace, John Hofer, Elias Hawk,, 
wounded April 8, 1864, discharged Jan. 5, 1865, for wounds; Milo Hig- 
gins, died at Memphis, Tenn., July 20, 1863, of disease; Aaron Higgins, 
discharged for disability, April 11, 1865; Francis Hughes, Felix Hughes, 
captured at Sabine Cross Roads, La., April 8, 1864; Charles E. Kyte, 
wounded slightly at Winchester; Alexander Lewis, Thomas Laughlin, 
Alex. L. Moorland, wounded at Winchester, Va., Sept. 19, 1864; WiUiam 
H. Mannen, Horace Maynard, captured at Champion Hills, Miss., May 
20, 1863; Amos Moreland, captured April 8,1864; Lewis McKee, Lonard 
Mannen, John E. Moreland, Jacob Miller, George Norris, Henry Nichols, 
discharged for disability, March 20, 1863, at St. Louis; David Orris, John 
Omalia, missing at Champion Hills, May 16,1863; William Pifer, Patrick 
Pettitt, Daniel P. Roberts, wounded May 16, 1863, at Champion Hills, 
Miss., discharged Dec. 16, 1863, for disability; John C. Riley, David P. 
Robertson, capt^ired April 8, 1864; Thomas N. Roberts, wounded slightly, 
at Winchester; John Shulthise, discharged Feb. 29, 1864, for disability; 
Richard Stonebreaker, discharged for disability, Feb. 29, 1864; Michael 
F. Suavely, Henry H. Slough, discharged Feb. 1, 1864, for disability; 
Philip Smith, John W. Stonebreaker, killed in battle at Champion Hills, 
Miss., May 16, 1863; William W. Steel, Phillip Vastine, William P. Wil- 
son, wounded July 22, 1862, at Black River, Miss., lost right eye; Jere- 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 503 

miah Wilson, wounded severely at Cedar Creek, Va,, Oct. 19, 1864, dis- 
charged for wounds, Jan. 5, 1865; Alonzo E. Woodling, Samuel Wagner, 
John Weno, wounded May 16, 1863, at Champion Hills, Miss., and died 
of wounds at that place, June 10th following; Peter Woodling, died Jan. 
27, 1863; David Wilson, Johnson C. Wilson, wounded slightly at Win- 
chester, Sept. 19, 1864; John Yuizy, died May 15, 1863, at Milliken's 
Bend, La., of disease; Samuel Yutzy, William Joslin, enlisted Feb. 25, 
1864, drowned at Baton Rouge, La., May 20, 1864. 

Company F. — Charles Lounsberry, enlisted Aug. 15, 1862, wounded 
atCeder Creek, Va., Oct. 19, 1864. 

Company G — Additional Enlistments. Privates: Joel A. Fowler, 
enlisted March 16, 1864; William Hassenkamp, enlisted March 22, 1864; 
Alfred S. Rogers, enlisted March 18, 1864. 

Company H. — John R. McCormick, musician, appointed August 15, 
1862; William Willson, private, enlisted August 21, 1862, discharged at 
Helena, Ark., Feb. 24, 1864, for disability. 

Company I. — Henry W. Sailer, second lieutenant, commissioned Oct. 
10, 1862; Gardner J. Strong, private, enlisted Aug. 16, 1862. 

Recruits — Companies Unkmnvn. — Charles F. Hubner, private, enlisted 
March 12, 1864, for three years; Francis M. Marmen, enlisted Feb. 3, 
1864. 

THIRTIETH INFANTRY. 

Company K. — Hiram Watts, private, enlisted August 16, 1862; George 
F. Williamson, private, enlisted August 16, 1862, transferred to invalid 
corps, Sept. 30, 1863. 

THIRTY-THIRD INFANTRY. 

Recruits — Comfany Unknown. Privates: James Schee, enlisted March 
31, 1864, for three years; Abel F, Wilson, enlisted for three 3^ears, March 
31, 1864, second enlistment. 

THIRTY-FIFTH INFANTRY. 

Company I. — David Gilliland, enlisted Aug. 15, 1862, discharged Sept. 
4, 1863, for disability. 

THIRTY-SIXTH INFANTRY. 

William Rose, private, enlisted Feb. 1, 1864, company unknown. 

THIRTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY. 

Field and StaJ^.-—L,ym-An Allen, major, commissioned Nov. 12, 1862; 
Prentise Ransom, quartermaster, commissioned Nov. 4, 1862. 

Company /?.— -Josiah W. McCaddon, captain, commissioned Dec. 15, 
1862; John Madden, first sergeant, appointed Oct 1, 1862; Richard R. 
Rians, third sergeant, appointed Oct. 18, 1862, discharged March 2, 1865^ 
disability; Hiram S. Marble, fifth sergeant, appointed Oct. 28, 1862, dis- 
charged for disability Jan. 5, 1865; Jacob Button, first corporal, appointed 



504: HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Oct. 28, 1862; Henry J. Schaub, third corporal, appointed Oct. 28, 1862; 
Ichabod R. Kimball, fifth corporal, appointed Oct. 28, 1862; John W. 
Mclntire, wagoner, appointed Oct. 28, 1862. 

Privates. — John Anson, enlisted September 27, 1862; Hiram P. Barber, 
enlisted September 17, 1862, discharged November 9, 1863, for disability; 
John A. Burley, enlisted September 16, 1862, died at Keokuk, September 

4, 1864, disease; Adam Barnett, enlisted September 24, 1864; John Car- 
rail, enhsted September 23, 1862; John Conard, enlisted October 9, 1862, 
discharged September 24, 1864, disability; Michael Crenigan, enlisted 
August 11, 1862; Jacob Delamater, enhsted September 2, 1862, discharged 
January 26, 1865, for disability; James Dalen, enhsted October 22, 1862, 
discharged for disability December 17, 1864; George Denus, enlisted 
September 22, 1862; John Dalby, enlisted November 3, 1862; John B. 
Enslow, enlisted October 16, 1862; Louis Englert, enhsted November 1, 
1862; James C. Fosbury, enhsted August 29, 1862; Wilham Ferguson, 
enhsted September 2, 1862, died March 15, 1863, of disease; James Fitz- 
gerald, enlisted September 9, 1862, discharged for disability December 30, 
1864; Elisha Garrett, enlisted September 3, 1862, discharged at St. Louis, 
May 17,1863, disability; Andrew Greaser, enhsted September 30, 1862, 
died at St. Louis, April 18, 1863, of disease; Wilham Hetherington, 
enlisted August 30, 1862, died at St. Louis, March 14, 1863; Wilham 
Lemp, enlisted September 19, 1862; Wilham W. Maynard, enlisted Octo- 
ber 10, 1862, discharged September 24,1864, disabilty; Alanson Norcott, 
enlisted August 29, 1862, discharged for disability, September 25, 1864; 
Alexander Nicholas, enlisted November 14, 1862, discharged May 15, 1863, 
for disabihty; John Poland, enhsted September 2, 1862, died at St. Louis, 
February 25, 1863, of rheumatism; George Powell, enhsted October 6, 
1862, died October 15, 1864, of disease; David Retesson, enhsted Novem- 
ber 10, 1862; Ira Rich, enhsted November 25, 1862, discharged May 17, 
1865, for disability; George W. Schell, enhsted November 23, 1862; Dan- 
iel Storr, enhsted September 27, 1862; Harvey Weed, enhsted September 
6, 1862; Walter Warren, enlisted October 1, 1862, discharged November 

5, 1863, for disability. 

Recruits. — Corn-panics Unhioxun. — Privates. — James Dulen, enlisted 
October 22, 1862; John D. Enslow, enhsted October 16, 1862; Patrick 
Crinigan, enhsted October 11, 1862. 

FORTIETH INFANTRY. 

Field and Staff.— J ^3ivv son A. Duncan, adjutant, commissioned October 
2,1862; William A. Denwiddie, hospital steward, appointed September 
20, 1862. 

Company C. — George Dogan, enlisted August 15, 1862. 

FORTY-FIRST INFANTRY. 

Field and Staff.— ]o\\n Pattee, major, promoted from captain Company 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 505 

A, September 1, 1861; Eugene F. Trask, sergeant major, promoted from 
second sergeant Company B, November 16, 1862. 

Coinfany A. — John C. Rutan, first lieutenant, promoted from second 
lieutenant September 1, 1861; William Kelly, second sergeant, enlisted 
September 28, 1862; reduced to ranks at his own request, December 31, 
1862; John W. Pritchard, eighth corporal, enlisted September 28, 1861, 
Josiah W. Davis, musician, enlisted September 25, 1861; Gustavus Em- 
merson, wagoner, mustered into service October 23, 1861, discharged 
April 5, 1863, disability. 

Privates. — Mustered in October 23, 1861. James Andrews, William 
Bliss, Thomas Hetherington, James Howlett, T. V. B. Johnson, William 
W. Jones, James Junk, Isaac B. Kissell, J. W. S. Lindley, Geo. Paul, 
Aloah Reed, William Reynolds, James Roberts, James Slaght, Edward 
Stewart, T. Thompkins. 

Additional Enlistinents. — Privates. John N. Reynolds, enlisted Oct. 
28, 1861; William Truesdell, enlisted October 28, 1861; John Can, enlisted 
October 28, 1861; Richard Williams, enlisted October 28, 1861, discharged 
November 1, 1862, for disability. 

Company B. — Mustered in October 23, 1861. Bradley Mahana, cap- 
tain, was captain in company B, First Infantry; Malvin R. Luse, 
first lieutenant; Joseph F. Schell, second lieutenant; George W. Den- 
nis, first sergeant; Amos R. Cherry, second sergeant, enlisted October 
1, 1861, promoted from fifth sergeant November 21, 1862; Horace B. 
Pumphrey, fourth sergeant, enlisted October 6, 1861, was in First Infantry, 
Company B; David Simmons, first corporal, no date of enlistment; 
Lambert A. Martin, second corporal; Shepherd Poland, fourth corporal; 
John T. Fisher, fifth corporal; Benjamin C. White, sixth corporal; Ezra 
E. Owen, seventh corporal; Henry Posey, eighth corporal; Henry J. 
"Wieneke, musician, enlisted October 23, 1861; William D. Mahana, musi- 
cian, enlisted October 23, 1861. 

Privates. — Samuel T.Adair George McAmlong; Ransom D. Amlong, 
Russell Bartlett, Francis M. Bell, Charles M. Bell, David Bell, enlisted 
October 6, 1862, discharged at Fort Randall, D.T., Nov. 1, 1862; William 
T. Boyd, enlisted October 5, 1862; Edward D. Brower, enlisted October 
18, 1861; Joseph E, Bryson, enlisted October 21, 1861; William Buckley, 
enlisted October 15, 1861; Washington Butler, James Cambridge, Edward 
Cannon, Albert R. Clearman, Daniel Corderman, Charles Corning, Joseph 
T. Crouse, John Campbell, enlisted October 25, 1861; John W. Dickson, 
Josiah Duer, Robert Eason, Elish Garrett, Philip Heak, Robert L. Hin- 
chliff", Joseph Hippell, Riley E. Holloway, Sampson P. Hughes, Isaiah C. 
Jepson, William Junk, Samuel M. Kirk, John Macham, Jeremiah H. 
Miller, John McCart, enlisted October 5,1861; German McCardel, New- 
ton Mcllvain, discharged July 23, 1862, for disability; Joseph McElfish, 



506 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

William A. McCaddon, Archibald McNeil, iMartin Nichols, Franklin 
Owens, discharged May 21, 1863, disability: Edward L. Pinne, Horace 
L. Page, Isaac Payn, James H. Poland, Robert Quinn, Robert Reed, 
Robert Riley, Alexander Ruth, William Schwab, Thomas Steward, 
Allowees Studer, Robert Smith, Eden H. Snook, Theodore Trimble, 
enlisted October 24, 1861; Roger Thompson, William O, Waldron, Isaac 
Waldron, enlisted October 10, 1861; James M. Welling, Samuel J. Wal- 
dron, Jackson Wicher, Wilson W. Wolf; Abner C. Wolf, Samuel B. Zim- 
merman. 

Additional Enlistment s. — Privates. Freeling Tallman, enlisted October 
28, 1861; John P. Hoener, enlisted November 1, 1861. 

Company C. — Thomas Welch, private, mustered into service Oct. 23, 
1861. 

FIRST CAVALRY. 

Field and Staff. — James O. Gower, colonel, enlisted June 13, 1861, pro- 
moted major from captain company F, Sept. 1, 1861, promoted colonel 
Aug. 26, 1862, resigned Aug. 20, 1863; Joseph C. Stone, adjutant, pro- 
moted from hospital steward Oct. 7, 1861, enlisted as private m com- 
pany F, promoted Aug. 8, 1861; Martin L. Morris, enlisted as private 
July 18, 1861, promoted quartermaster sergeant, promoted quartermaster 
Oct. 29, 1861; Milton B. Cochran, surgeon, commissioned July 29, 1861; 
John J. Sanders, hospital steward, enlisted July 18, 1861, promoted from 
3d sergeant compan}' F, Oct. 10, 1861, dismissed Nov. 10, 1864; John 
Smitz, battalion saddler sergeant, promoted from saddler company F, 
Oct. 7, 1861, enlisted July 18, 1861; Samuel Mitchell, bugler, mustered 
into service Aug. 12, 1861, mustered out Dec. 1, 1862. 

Company F. — James O. Gower, captain, enlisted June 13, 1861, pro- 
moted major Sept. 1, 1861; Jomes R. Elliott, captain, promoted from first 
lieutenant Oct. 29, 1861, commissioned Sept. 23, 1861, resigned June 30, 
1862; Philip E. Shafer, captain, promoted from first lieutenant July 1, 
1862, commissioned Sept. 23, 1861, as second lieutenant, and pro- 
moted Oct. 29, 1861; Absalom J. Beeson, first sergeant, appointed quar- 
termaster sergeant Aug. 14, 1861, promoted Oct, 29, 1861, discharged 
May 1, 1863, for disability; Charles W. W. Dow, first sergeant, promoted 
from fourth sergeant Sept. 17, 1862, commissioned Aug. 1, 1861; David 
E. Morgan, quartermaster sergeant, promoted from second sergeant, 
enlisted July 18, 1861; Jacob L. Wyly, second sergeant, promoted from 
sixth corporal, enlisted June 13, 1861, reduced to ranks Nov. 19, 1862; 
Wm. F. Hamilton, fourth sergeant, from eighth corporal, enlisted July 18, 
1861; James C. Haskins, fifth sergeant, appointed Aug. 1, 1861; Henry 
W. Shaver, sixth sergeant, from third corporal, enlisted as private June 
13, 1861; Uberto E. Johnson, second corporal, enlisted July 18, 1861, 
killed at Warrensburg, Mo., March 29, 1862; Justin G. Patton, second 
corporal, enlisted as private Sept. 2, 1861, discharged March 3, 1863, for 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 507 

disability; Carey R. Smith, fourth corporal, appointed Aug. 1, 1861, 
reduced to ranks Dec. 31, 1861; Charles A. Barlow, fifth corporal, 
appointed Aug. 1, 1861; Thomas D. Morgan, eighth corporal, from pri- 
vate, enlisted June 13, 1861, died at Springfield, Mo., Jan. 13, 1863, of 
pneumonia; James E. Wilson, eighth corporal, from private, enlisted June 
13, 1861; Richard L. Hoxie, bugler, discharged June 15, 1864; Thomas 
Clarke, farrier, enlisted July 18, 1861, discharged Sept. 29, 1862, for disa- 
bility; James J. Bell, farrier, enlisted Aug. 6, 1861. 

Privates. — Enlisted July 18, 1861. Daniel Austin, John Bolton, re-enlisted 
Jan. 1, 1864; William J. Bowen, discharged, March 6, 1862, for disability; 
John Corlett, re-enHsted Jan. 1, 1864; James S. Catlin, died at Little Rock, 
Ark., Nov. 12, 1863, of chronic diarrhea; James Convey, died Jan. 9, 1862, 
of wounds at Silver Creek, Mo.; John Hamilton, Henry C. Hamlin, 
Moses F. Johnson, died at Clarendon, Ark., Aug. 3,1863, of disease; 
Joseph Latta, discharged near Sedalia, Mo., April 22, 1862; James 
McCormick, John R. Sumner, Emery F. Stratton, discharged for disabil- 
ity, March 4, 1862; Thomas A. Williamson, died Sept. 2, 1863, of disease; 
James C. Wilson, Isaiah P. Wilson. 

Additional Enlistments — Privates. — George W. Mitchell, enlisted Aug. 
6, 1861; Justin G. Patton, enlisted Sept. 2, 1861 ; Loren R. Craig, enlisted 
Aug, 16, 1862, re-enlisted Jan. 1, 1864; James L. Calvert, enlisted Aug. 
23, 1862, re-enlisted Jan. 1, 1862; Joseph G. Hise, enlisted Aug. 19, 1862. 

Unassigned Recruits. — ^John L. Bolding, enlisted Jan. 30, 1864; William 
D. Boyd, enlisted Sept. 28, 1864; Bersilla R. Carpenter, enlisted March 
10, 1864; Silas H. Emery, enlisted Feb. 4, 1864; John A. Morrow, enlisted 
March 11, 1864; Ezra Poole, enlisted March 9, 1864; James Poole, enlisted 
Feb. 29, 1864; Robert M. Tillotson, enlisted Feb. 1, 1864; Thomas J. 
Whetstine, enlisted March 11, 1864. 

SECOND CAVALRY. 

Field and Staff . — Hiram W. Love, major, promoted from captain, com- 
pany H, Sept. 1.5, 1861; Melville B. C. True, quartermaster sergeant, 
from quartermaster sergeant second battalion, re-assigned to company H 
Jan. 23, 1863; Joseph P. Dunn, saddler sergeant, promoted from saddler, 
company G, enlisted Aug. 30, 1861; Allen Ivens, battalion saddler ser- 
geant, promoted from saddler company H, enlisted as private Oct. 1, 1861, 
returned to company Oct. 1, 1862; T. S. Magill musician, promoted from 
bugler, company H. enlisted Aug. 14, 1861; re-transferred to company, 
Aug. 26, 1862. " 

Company B. — Richard M. Hampton, 2d lieutenant, mustered in Oct. 
10, 1861, resigned June 18, 1862; John C. Robinson, private, enlisted Aug. 
30, 1861. 

Additional Enlistments. — Ebenezer Hartwell, enlisted Aug. 25, 1862, 
died at Farmington Miss., Jan. 29, 1863; William L. Huston, enlisted 
Aug. 19, 1862; Frederic A. Loening, enlisted Sept. 16, 1862; Charles S. 



608 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Mason, enlisted Au^. 19, 1862; John Zacharenck, enlisted Aug. 15, 1862. 

Company C. — Mothos Helmer, enlisted Aug. 16, 1862, additional enlist- 
ment. 

Company D. — Kirk wood Clark, private, enlisted Aug. 2, 1861, Jacob 
F. Hahnenkratt, private, enlisted Aug. 2, 1861, wounded at West Point, 
Miss., Feb. 21, 1864; Cornelius Van Evry, enlisted April 3, 1862, addi- 
tional enlistment. 

Company F — Additio7ial Enlistments: Samuel J. Bell, enlisted April 
3, 1862; James E. Colony, enlisted Dec. 30, 1863. 

Company G. — Ansell R. Clark, 1st sergeant, promoted from private, 
enlisted Sept. 21, 1861; Charles H. Hilton, 1st corporal, enlisted Aug. 30, 

1861, promoted to -tth sergeant May 22, 1862, wounded severely at Boons- 
ville, Miss., May 30, 1862; David A. Reynolds, 8th corporal, enhsted as 
private Sept. 21, 1861, promoted Oct. 15, 1862. 

Privates. — James Lanier, enlisted Aug. 30, 1861, William Morfeitt 
enlisted Aug. 30, 1861; Caleb J. Russell, enlisted Aug. 30, 1861; Caleb 
Seet, enlisted Aug. 30, 1861, taken prisoner at Boonsville, Miss., May 30, 
1862; George W. Wood, enlisted Aug. 30, 1861. 

Additional Enlistments. — Edwin Neems, enlisted Sept. 31, 1861, dis- 
charged for disability May 19, 1862. 

Company H. — Hiram W. Love, captain, enlisted Aug. 14, 1861, pro- 
moted major, 3d battalion; James P. Sanford, captain, mustered in as 1st 
lieutenant, Sept. 5, 1861, promoted Sept. 28, 1861, resigned May 3, 1862; 
Benjamin Owen, quartermaster sergeant, enlisted Aug. 20, 1861, promoted 
to 2d lieutenant, Oct. 10, 1861, captain. May 4, 1862, wounded and cap- 
tured at Farmington, Miss., May 9, 1862; B. Franklin Reno, 1st lieutenant, 
promoted from 2d lieutenant, enlisted Sept. 5, 1861, afterwards captain, 
and acting quartermaster United States veterans; George B. Harrington, 
2d sergeant, enlisted Aug. 15, 1861, promoted to 1st sergeant, Nov. 4, 

1862, 2d lieutenant June 4, 1862; Charles W. Aixom, 1st sergeant, enlisted 
Aug. 15, 1861, deserted Nov. 4, 1861; Randolph Largent, quartermaster 
sergeant, promoted from 5th sergeant, enlisted Aug. 20, 1861, reduced to 
ranks, Sept. 1, 1862; Columbus P. French, enlisted as private, Aug. 14, 
1861, afterwards 8th and 3d corporal, quartermaster sergeant, and 1st 
sergeant; Elias Boget, 2d sergeant, promoted from 3d sergeant, enlisted 
Aug. 20, 1861; Geo. W. Keen, enlisted Aug. 30, 1861, as 8th corporal, 
afterwards 7th and 2d corporal, promoted to 6th sergeant, Oct. 15, 1862; 
Jaspar Dawson, 1st corporal, promoted from 2d corporal, enlisted Aug. 
20, 1861; Roswell Haskin, 6th corporal, afterwards 5th and 1st corporal, 
died of wounds at Farmington, Miss., June 15, 1862; Alvin Rogers, 1st 
corporal, enlisted Aug. 14, 1861, as private, promoted Oct. 15, 1862; H. 
D. Wolvington, 2d corporal, enlisted as private, Aug. 14, 1861, promoted 
Oct. 15, 1862; Frank Muhrlein, 4th corporal, enlisted as private, Aug. 14, 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 509 

1861, promoted Nov. 6, 1861; S. T. Magill, bugler, promoted from pri- 
vate, enlisted Aug. 14, 1861, promoted to musician; Seth Farnsworth, 
bugler, promoted from private, enlisted Aug. 14, 1861, reduced to ranks, 
captured at West Point, Miss., died at Andersonville, July 20, 1864; David 
Davis, farrier, promoted from private, enlisted Sept. 2, 1861. 

Privates. — Enlisted during August, 1861: Waldo Bartlett, discharged 
Oct. 16, 1861; Isaac H. Betz, died at St. Louis, Feb. 17, 1862; Mordecai 
G. Blakely, Adam Borschell, John H. Carver, captured at Senatahoba, 
Miss., May 14, 1863; Napoleon B. Church, accidentally wounded in the 
leg, and discharged Dec. 25, 1862; Joseph Cole, wounded at West Point, 
Miss., Feb. 21, 1864; Michael Curry, captured Dec. 30, 1862; Joseph Curtis, 
died at St. Louis, May 20, 1862; John Dayton, Anthony Detwiler, wounded 
slightly at Farmington, Miss., May 9, 1862; Frederick Foster, Jacob 
Frintz, Carter B. Granger, James C. Hill, Alexander Hill, John Hall, James 
Hallaway, Hugh Hagan, Abraham Hems worth, discharged at St. Louis, 
June 28, 1863, for disability; Peter Krupp, Jacob Lea venbaugh, Frederick 
Luce, deserted Dec. 8, 1861; Isaac Meyers, wounded in the leg in 1864, 
[date unknown]; Sanford R.Parker, Thos. Pwor, Samuel Schminkuy, 
John I, Scribner, Charles Sch wager, Job Sharp, Charles Stevens, dis- 
charged for disability, Feb. 20, 1862. 

Additional Enlistments. — Thomas B. Allen, enlisted Oct. 31, 1861; 
Francis A. Parrott, enlisted Dec. 4, 1861, deserted Aug. 14, 1862; James 
Lanier, enlisted Aug. 30, 1861, joined from company G; Joseph Rowers, 
enlisted Aug. 22, 1862; August Borstel, enlisted Aug. 22, 1862; John 
Graff, enlisted Aug. 22, 1862, died while in service, (date unknown); 
August Schmidt, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862, captured at Coffeeville, Miss., 
Dec. 5, 1S62; George Nass, enlisted Aug. 22, 1862;' Mathias Herter, 
enHsted Aug-. 29, 1862, transferred to invalid corps, Nov. 15, 1864; Wil- 
liam Krause, enlisted Aug. 29, 1862; Daniel A. Rudy, enlisted Aug. 1, 

1862, killed at Columbus, Tenn., Dec. 19, 1864; Edwin L. Dutcher, 
enlisted Aug. 12, 1862, discharged March 10, 1861), for disability; Freder- 
ick Styles, enlisted Aug. 13, 1862, discharged March 10, 1863, for disa- 
bility; William Backenstos, enlisted Jan, 30, 1864; Boltzer D. Beasore, 
enlisted Feb. 27, 1864; Franklin Batch, enlisted Feb. 24, 1864;Josiah 
Craig, enlisted Feb. 23, 1864; Thomas Cox, enlisted Feb. 26, 1864; James, 
Hanyan, enlisted Feb. 24, 1864, wounded at Nashville, Tenn., November 
15, 1864; Nathan Hunt, enlisted Feb. 22, 1864; Marshall Hartman, enlisted 
Sept. 2, 1864; Frederick Kissell, enlisted Feb. 24, 1864, died Nov. 30, 1864, 
at Memphis, Tenn; George M. Sherrick, enlisted Oct. 20, 1864; Turley 
Taylor, enlisted Feb. 25, 1864; John Woods, enlisted Sept. 1, 1864. 

Recruits Unassigned to Comfany. — John U. Miller, enlisted Oct. 27, 
1864, for three years; EliasH. Parsons, enhsted March 25, 1864, for three 
years. 



510 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

THIRD CAVALRY. 

Field and Staff. — Franklin M. Warford, assistant surgeon, enlisted 
Dec. 2, 1862, mustered out Jan. 26, 1864, for promotion to surgeon 4th 
Arkansas cavalry. 

FOURTH CAVALRY. 

Field and Staff. — William T. Allen, commissary, enlisted Sept. 11, 
1861, promoted from commissary sergeant Sept. 15, 1862, promoted to 
captain company C, Jan. 1, 1863; David Stewart, assistant surgeon, com- 
missioned Dec. 2, 1S62, appointed assistant surgeon 28th Infantry Dec. 
27, 1862; Loyd H. Dillon, commissary sergeant, enlisted as private com- 
pany C, Jan. 1, 1862; Christian Musser, quartermaster, commissioned 
Feb. 17, 1862, was corporal in company E. 

Company A. — S. Kirkwood Clark, second lieutenant, commissioned 
Dec. 25, 1861, mustered out June 2, 1862. 

Company C. — William T. Allen, captain, promoted from commissary; 
George Agnew, enlisted as private Oct. 21, 1861, afterwards promoted to 
5th and 4th sergeant; Loyd H. Dillon, second lieutenant from regimental 
commissary sergeant, wounded severely at Guntown, June 10, 1864, pro- 
moted to captain company I, May 15, 1865; Peter Ferrell, private, enlisted 
Sept. 23, 1862, died at Batesville, Ark., May 20, 1862, of fever. 

Company D —Additional Enlistment. — Erastus Holloway, enlisted Sept. 
8, 1864. 

Company I. — Loyd H. Dillon, captam, mustered in June 17, 1865, pro- 
moted from second lieutenant company C. 

FIFTH VETERAN CAVALRY. 

Additional Enlistments. — Companies Unknown. — ^John Howard, enlisted 
March 16, 1864, for three years; Samuel Moore, enlisted March 21,'1864; 
Orange H. Presnol, enhsted March 31, 1864, for three years; Charles 
Snyder, enlisted March 22, 1864, for three years. 

SIXTH CAVALRY. 

Field and Staff. — Thomas H. Shepard, major, commissioned October 
21, 1862, resigned October 22, 1864; Morgan Reno, commissar}'-, commis- 
sioned October 21, 1862. 

Company A. — Additional Enlistment. — John Jackson, enlisted October 
27, 1864. 

Company I. — L. R. Wolfe, captain, commissioned Feb. 2, 1863, resigned 
March 9, 1865; Benjamin King, 1st lieutenant, commissioned February 2, 
1863, promoted to captain April 10, 1865; Geo. W. McCall, enlisted as 
private September 20, 1862, promoted to second lieutenant March 5, 1863, 
first lieutenant April 10, 1865; Henry C. Nichols, first sergeant, appointed 
October 24, 1862; Henry M. Berry, second sergeant, appointed October 
24, 1862; James Dawson, third sergeant, appointed October 24, 1862; 
Levi H. Bolton, fourth sergeant, appointed October 24, 1862, discharged 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 511 

at Davenport, April 10, 1863, by order of lieutenant colonel Grier; Wm. 
N. Whitlock, fifth sergeant, appointed October 21, 1862, discharged for 
promotion to first lieutenant company A, third U. S. Vols.; William A- 
Brim, sixth sergeant, appointed October 24, 1862; Nelson Hamlin, fifth 
corporal, appointed October 24, 1862; Lawrence P. Purdy, teamster,, 
enlisted September 27, 1862; Geo. H. Harris, teamster, enlisted Septem- 
ber 23, 1862, died October 25, 1863, at Ft. Sully, D. T., of fever; William 
Graham, farrier, enlisted December 23, 1862; Joseph Keisher, saddler, 
enlisted October 3, 1862; Lewis Hinkley, wagoner, enlisted November 

28, 1862. 

Privates. — Frederick Albright, enlisted December 8, 1862; John C. 
Bear, enlisted September 25, 1862; Jacob C. Bowman, enlisted October 
10, 1«62; D. W. Chamberlain, enlisted October 5, 1862; Patrick Dunn, 
enlisted October 2, 1862; Joseph Drabek, enlisted September 30, 1862; 
Manly Dixon, enlisted October 5, 1862; Gurdin A. Denison, enlisted De- 
cember 26, 1862; Elbridge Greene, enlisted October 24, 1862; Robert 
Hord, enlisted September 27, 1862; John Hergenaiter,- enlisted October 
1,1862; Cyrus Hubbard, enlisted November 19, 1862; Nicholas Jacobs, 
enlisted September 22, 1862, discharged at Davenport, April 4, 1863, by 
order of Lieutenant Colonel Grier; Alexander H.Jones, enlisted October 

29, 1862; James L. Kent, enlisted October 16, 1862; Frederick Krell,. 
enlisted October 10, 1862; Chambers Purcell, enlisted September 30, 1862; 
Amos S. Pratt, enlisted September 20, 1862; Caleb Quaintance, enlisted 
November 23, 1862; Edward Rogers, enlisted September 20,1862; Fred- 
erick Schaub, enlisted September 17, 1862; Griffiths Sampey, enhsted 
September 25, 1862; H. Umbdenstock, enlisted December 4, 1862. 

Additional Enlistments. — Thomas C. Nolan, enlisted March 5, 1863; 
Charles T. Fowler, enlisted February 25, 1862. 

Company K. — Additional Enlistment, — Geo. W. Smith, enlisted Feb- 
ruary 16, 1863. 

Company M. — Richard Berry, second lieutenant, commissioned March 
5, 1863, mustered out for incompetency, November 3, 1864; Martin I. 
Feenan, quartermaster sergeant, appointed March 3, 1863, enlisted Sep- 
tember 8, 1862; Patrick M. Byrnes, fourth sergeant, enlisted August 8, 
1862; Ebenezer Roberts, enlisted Febiuary 12, 1863. appointed second 
sergeant, March 3, 1863; Thomas Campion, enlisted August 12, 1862,. 
appointed corporal March 3, 1863. 

Privates. — Patrick Bevens, enlisted September 15, 1862; Timothy CHf- 
ford, enlisted August 8, 1862; Patrick Crossen, enlisted September 28, 
1862; Michael Curran, enlisted August 15, 1862; Nicholas Cohill, enlisted 
August 15, 1862; Owen Carey, enlisted August 12, 1862; John Dufl?ey^ 
enhsted October 4, 1862; David Flemming, enlisted August 15, 1862; 
Robert Hord, enlisted September 27, 1862; Bascom Mason, enhsted Au- 
gust 15, 1862; Daniel Mul Quinn, enlisted August 15, 1862; Owen Slater^ 



.512 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

enlisted August 15, 1862; Jonathan Sprague, enlisted October 10, 1862; 
Francis Shean, enlisted August 6, 1862; Patrick Toler, enlisted August 
18,1862; Martin Walters, enlisted August 15, 1862; Michael Welch, 
enlisted August 15, 1862. • 

Additional Enlistments (companies unknown). — Isaac Barnett, enlisted 
September 12, 1861; William Goben, enlisted September 9, 1861; Lewis 
Heller, enlisted April 11, 1864; Robert Jefferson, enlisted October 26, 1864; 
Charles Spicer, enlisted September 9, 1864; Robert Shirts, enlisted Sep- 
tember 13, 1864; William Warner, enlisted October 26, 1864. 

SEVENTH CAVALRY. 

Field and Staff.— ]o\\x\ Pattee, lieutenant colonel, mustered in June 3, 
1863, was major Forty-first Infantry. 

Company A. — Additional Enlistment — Horatio T. Johnson, enlisted 
March 28, 1864; discharged at Omaha, December 15, 1864, for disability. 

Company B — Additional Enlistment: Samuel B. Starr, enlisted 
March 31, 1864. 

Company D. — William Summerhays, private, enlisted April 1, 1863. 

Company F — Additional Enlistmetits: David Ishman, enlisted March 
8, 1864; Wilson Livermore, enlisted March 8, 1864; Joel Stebbins, enlisted 
March 8, 1864. 

Company G — Additional Enlistments : Abraham Adamson, enlisted 
September 10, 1864; William J. Burrow, enlisted September 10, 1864; 
William Eggart, enlisted September 9, 1864; William Estle, enlisted Sep- 
tember 9, 1864; Aaron Houser, enlisted September 8,1864; Edward Har- 
ris, enlisted September 9, 1864; Charles R. Hathaway, enlisted March 8, 
1864; Henry J. Iliff, enlisted September 4, 1864; Mark Whitman, enlisted 
September 8, 1864. 

Co7nfany K. — John C. Rutan, first lieutenant, enlisted September 16, 
1861; promoted to captain companv L, May 24, 1865; Albert A. Ford, 
sixth sergeant, enlisted September 20, 1861, discharged for promotion to 
lieutenant in Third U. S. V.; John Carr, sixth corporal, enHsted October 
28, 1861, died at Fort Sully, March 20, 1864;', Charles P. Slaight, eighth 
corporal, enlisted September 25, 1861; Josiah W. Davis, trumpeter, 
enlisted September 25, 1861; James Junk, saddler, enlisted October 3, 
1861; William Kelley wagoner, enHsted September 28, 1861. 

Privates. — James Andrews, enlisted October 6, 1861; William P. Bliss, 
enlisted October 11, 1861, discharged at Fort Randall, D. T., January 10, 
1864, for disability; Thomas Hetherington, enlisted October ]2, 1861, died 
at Spirt Lake, Iowa, March 10, 1865; James Howlett, enlisted September 
28, 1861; Thomas V. B.Johnson, enlisted October 12, 1861; WillmjH W. 
Jones, enlisted September 25, 1861; Isaac B. Kissell, enlisted October 4, 
1861; John W. S. Lindley, enlisted October H, 1861; George Paul, 
enlisted September 28, 1861 ; Alvah T. Reed, enlisted September 16, 
1861; William Reynolds, enlisted September 25, 1861; John N. Reynolds, 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 513. 

enlisted October 27, 1861; James Roberts, enlisted October 13, 1861; 
Edward Stewart, enlisted October 13, 1861 ; Theodore Tompkins, enlisted 
September 18, 1861; William Trusdell, enlisted October 28, 1861; Isaac 
Zion, enlisted September 27, 1861. 

Additional Enlisiments—Mai-Wn B. Baskins, enlisted April 25, 1864; 
Benjamin A. Merrill, enlisted January 4, 1865, discharged August 2, 1865,' 
for disability. 

Company Z.— Bradley Mahana, captain, enlisted October 1, 1861; 
Marvin R. Luse, first lieutenant, enlisted October 1, 1861; Joseph F. 
Schell, second lieutenant, enlisted October 1, 1861; Geo. W. Dennis, first 
sergeant, enlisted October 1, 1861; William O. Waldron, commissary ser- 
geant, enlisted October 1, 1861; Amos R. Cherry, second sergeant, 
enlisted October 1, 1861; Horace B. Pumphrey, third sergeant, enlisted 
October 5,1861; Eden H. Snook, fourth sergeant, enlisted October 5, 
1861; Jeremiah H. Miller, sixth sergeant, enlisted October 5, 1861; Wil- 
liam A. McCaddon, first corporal, enlisted October 5,1861; Shepherd 
Poland, third corporal, enlisted October 5, 1861; John L. Fisher, fourth 
corporal; Benjamin C. White, fifth corporal; Tho. W. Trimble, sixth 
corporal, enlisted October 24, 1861 ; Riley E. Holloway, eighth corporal, 
enlisted October 1, 1861; Henry J. Wieneke, enlisted October 1, 1861; 
William D. Mahana, wagoner, enlisted October 1, 1861. 

Pr/<yrt'/'6JS.— Samuel F. Adair, enlisted October 1, 1861; Geo. McAmlong, 
enlisted October 1, 1861; Francis M. Bell, enlisted October 1, 1861; Wm. 
T. Boyd, enlisted October 5, 1861; Edward D. Brower, enlisted October 
18, 1861; Joseph E. Bryson, enlisted October 21, 1861; Washington But- 
ler, enlisted October 1, 1861; James Cambridge, enlisted October 1,1861; 
John Campbell, enlisted October 25, 1861; Edward Cannon, enlisted Oct. 
1, 1861; Albert R. Clearman, enlisted October 1, 1861; Daniel Corder- 
man, enlisted October 1, 1861; Charles Corning, enlisted October 1, 1861; 
Joseph T. Crouse, enlisted October 1, 1861; Joseph W. Dickson, enlisted 
October 1, 1861; Josiah Duer, enlisted October 1, 1861; Robert 
Eason, enlisted October 1, 1861; Elisha Garret, enlisted October 1, 
1861; Philip Heak, enlisted October 1, 1861; Robert Hinchliff, enlisted 
October 15, 1861; Joseph Hippie, enlisted October 1, 1861; Samp- 
son P. Hughes, enlisted October 1, 1861; John P. Hoener, enlisted Nov. 
1,1861; Isaiah P. Jepson, enlisted October 1,1861; Samuel M. Clark, 
enlisted October 1, 1861; John Meacham, enlisted October 1, 1861; John 
McCart, enlisted October 5, 1861 ; German McCardel, enlisted October 
1, 1861, drowned at Ft. Union, Aug. 17, 1864; Joseph McElfish, enlisted 
Oct. 1,1861; Archibald McNeil, enlisted October 1,1861; Martin Nichols, 
enlisted October 1, 1861; died at Sioux City, October 3, 1865; Ezra E. 
Owen, enlisted October 1,1861; Horace L.Page, enlisted October 1, 
1861; Isaac Payn, enlisted October 1,1861; James N. Poland, enlisted 
October 1, 1861; Henry M. Posey, enlisted October 1, 1861; Robert 



514 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Quinn, enlisted October 1, 1861; Robert Reed, enlisted October 1, 1861; 
Robert Riley, enlisted October 1, 1861; Alexander Ruth, enlisted Oct. 1, 
1861; Wm. Schwab, enlisted October 1, 1861; Thomas Stewart, enlisted 
October 6, 1861; Allowise Studer, enlisted October 1, 1861; Robert 
Smith, enlisted October 1, 1861; David Simmons, enlisted October 1, 1861; 
Frecling Tallman, enlisted October 28,1861; Roger Thompson, enlisted 
October 1,1861; Samuel J. Waldron, enlisted October 10, 1861; Isaac 
Walker, enlisted October 10, 1861; James M. Welling, enlisted October 
1, 1861, discharged at Sioux City, January 20, 1866, for disability; Wilson 
W. Wolf, enlisted October 1, 1861; Abner C. Wolf, enlisted October 1, 
1861, died at Ft. Sully, D. T., June U, 1864, of fever. 

Additional Enlistments. — Glenn Bo wen, enlisted March 4, 1864; Wm. 
Foley, enlisted February 29, 1864; David B. Lewis, enlisted February 29, 
1864; Alexander Roberts, enlisted February 23, 1864; Daniel Roberts, 
enlisted February 23, 1864, discharged at Sioux City, August 3, 1865, for 
disability. 

Company M. — Thomas Welch, private, enlisted October 27, 1861. 

Additional Enlistments — Company Unknozvn. — ^John L. Van Buskirk, 
enHsted March 25, 1864; Samuel F. Woodrufi; enlisted March 8, 1864. 

EIGHTH CAVALRY. 

Field and Staff. — James E. Pritchard, commissary, commissioned Aug. 
18, 1863, previously adjutant 2Sth infantry, taken prisoner at Newnan, 
Ga., July 30, 1864. 

Company C. — Alexander B. Cassell, 1st corporal, enlisted Aug. 26, 
1862. 

Company K. — Wm. M. Amlong, 3d sergeant, enlisted Aug. 15, 1863, 
was in 5th infantry; George W. Beardon, 1st corporal, enlisted Aug. 24, 
1863, served five years in first United States cavalry; T. E, Richmond, 
3d corporal, enlisted Aug. 24, 1863, was previously in fifth United States 
infantry; Robert McChesney, trumpeter, enlisted Aug. 27, 1863. 

Privates. — Albert Bealer, enlisted Aug. 15, 1863; Frank Capsen, 
enlisted Aug. 22, 1863; Isaac Hartsock, enlisted Aug. 15, 1863; John T. 
Jones, enlisted Aug. 17, 1863, captured at Newnan, Ga.,July 30,1864; A. 
J. Longerbeam, enlisted Aug. 24, 1863; John Nicklow, enlisted Aug. 21, 
1863; French Sharp, enlisted Sept. 15, 1863; Charles E. Shedd, enlisted 
Sept. 15, 1863, captured at Newnan, Ga., July 30, 1864; Wm. H. Smith, 
enlisted Sept. 5, 1863; Geo. H. Stone, enlisted Sept. 15, 1863; Samuel W. 
Stillions, enlisted Aug. 24, 1863'. 

Additional Enlistment. — Benjamin A. Merrill, enlisted Jan. 4, 1865. 

NINTH CAVALRY. 

Cqifi-pany A. — Franklin Oivens, 7th corporal, enlisted Nov. 9, 1863, 
was in 41st infantry. 

Company B. — Benjamin F. Jacobs, 1st lieutenant, mustered in Nov. 30, 
1863. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 515 

Privates. — James A. Marling, enlisted Sept. 13, 1863; Cyvetons Nichols, 
enlisted Sept. 18, 1863. 

Company F. — Edward Overfelt, 3d corporal, enlisted Sept. 30, 1863. 

FORTY-FOURTH INFANTRY. HUNDRED DAY SERVICE. 

Field and Staff. — Thomas Calver, sergeant-major, enlisted May 6, 1864:. 

Co7nfany D. — Charles E. Borland, captain, commissioded June 1, 1864; 
Charles J. Hutchinson, musician, enlisted May 13, 1864. 

Privates.— '^2iXi\\x^\ E. Allen, enlisted May 19, 1864; Samuel M. Bow- 
man, enlisted May 6, 1864; J. V. Boone, enlisted May 6,1864; J. P. Bush- 
nell, enlisted May 18, 1864; Andrew L. Clyde, enlisted May 4, 1864; 
Channing C. Davis, enlisted May 20, 1864; James M. Hartley, enlisted 
May 3, 1864; James O. Hawkins, enlisted May 18, 1864; Benj. M. Hem- 
mingway, enlisted May 13, 1864; Mallery R. Jackson, enlisted May 18, 
1864; Eugene A. Lee, enlisted May 6, 1864; Wm. H. Livermore, enlisted 
May 19, 1864; Wm. P. Leonard, enlisted May 6, 1864; Arthur McDowel, 
enlisted May 16, 1864; Wm. C. Wentz, enlisted May 26, 1864. 

Company K. — James H. C. Wilson, 2d lieutenant, commissioned June 
1, 1862. 

FORTY-SIXTH INFANTRY. — HUNDRED DAY SERVICE. 

Com-pany I. — Horace B. Mathews, private, enlisted May 12, 1864. 

FORTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY. 

Field and Staff. — John Williams, lieutenant colonel, enlisted May 7, 
1864; Enoch Hoffman, chaplain, enlisted June 6, 1864, resigned July 14, 
1864. 

Company G. — Benj. Owen, captain, commissioned June 4, 1864; Lewis 
W. Talbott, first lieutenant, commissioned June 4, 1864; Joseph M. Doug- 
lass, second lieutenant, commissioned June 4, 1864; Joseph S. L,odge, first 
sergeant, enlisted May 11, 1864; John M. Seydel, second sergeant, enlisted 
March 7, 1864; Thomas Crozier, second corporal, enlisted Ma}^ 10, 1864, 
promoted to first corporal June 29, 1864; John Jordan, third corporal, 
enlisted May 9, 1864, promoted to second corporal June 29, 1864; James 
Leicester, fourth corporal, enlisted May 11, 1864, promoted to ihird cor- 
poral June 29, 1864; Arthur Thompson, fifth corporal, enlisted May 13, 
1864, promoted to fourth corporal June 29, 1864; James A. Waldron, sixth 
corporal, enlisted May 7, 1864, fifth ' corporal, June 29, 1864; Thomas 
Harbert, seventh corporal, enhsted May 16, 1864, sixth corporal, June 29, 
1864; Perry S. Lake, eighth corporal, enlisted May 11, 1864, seventh 
corporal June 29, 1864; Theodore Fry, eighth corporal, enlisted as pri- 
vate May 10, 1864, promoted June 29, 1864; Addison Wilson, musician, 
enlisted May 6, 1864. 

Privates. — Andrew J. Armstrong, enlisted May 12, 1864; Wm. Albright, 
enlisted May 7, 1864; Patrick Boyle, enlisted May 18, 1864; John Ben- 
eish, enlisted May 16, 1864; Stephen Cisney, enlisted May 7, lb64; John M. 



516 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Craig, enlisted May 20, 1864; Lewis E. Chamberlain, enlisted May 7, 1864; 
Calvin Curtis, enlisted May 7, 1864; Franklin H. Davis, enlisted May 20, 
1864; Upton B. Edwards, enlisted May 6, 1864; David W. M. Green, enlisted 
May 7, 1864; Stephen B. Gordon, enlisted May 7, 1864; Henry Gearkee, 
enlisted May 21, 1864;John Gutshall, enlisted May 14, 1864, died at Helena, 
Ark., July7, 1864; Brodas Haynes, enlisted May 23, 1864; Geo. R. Housel, 
enlisted May 19, 1864; Wm. A. Henry, enlisted May 19, 1864; John M. 
House, enlisted May 6, 1864; Frank Henik, enlisted May 9, 1864; Joel W- 
Hevern, enlisted May 16, 1864; John Kii sher, enlisted May 14, 1864;Joseph 
Krepwood, enlisted May 19,1864; Richard Largent, enlisted May 14, 1864; 
Henry Landis, enlisted May 14,1864; Sylvester Muller, enlisted May 16, 
1864; Geo. W. Muncey, enlisted Mav 6, 1864; West Newton, enlisted May 
16, 1864; Humphrey C. Poland, enlisted May 7, 1864; Isaiah Plymesser, 
enlisted May 7, 1864; James M. Phillips, enlisted May 25, 1864; William 
R. Pryce, enlisted May 9, 1864; John A. F. Pieper, enlisted May 20, 1864; 
Frank Plack, enlisted May 6, 1864; Michael Poor, enlisted May 6, 1864; 
Alexander Paul, enlisted May 7, 1864; Isaac P. Reynolds, enlisted May 
14, 1864; Daniel Robertson, enlisted May 14, 1864; Daniel N. Schaffer, 
enlisted May 12, 1864; Edward B. Tidd, enlisted May 7, 1864; Israel 
Talbott, enlisted May 14, 1864; James H. Windrem, enlisted May 6, 1864; 
Jair Wildman, enlisted May 18, 1864; Samuel M. Weed, enlisted May 21, 
1864; John C. May, enhsted March 10, 1864; Simon A. Yearick, enlisted 
May 21, 1864; Geo. Zeka, enlisted May 6, 1864. 

FORTY-EIGHTH INFANTRY. 

Company A. — Alfred P. Haynes, private, enlisted June 14, 1864. 

FIRST INFANTRY (60tH U. S.) AFRICAN DESCENT. 

Company D. — John Haskett, 3d corporal, enlisted Aug. 20, 1863; Doc. 
Bachelor, 5th corporal, enlisted Aug. 22, 1863, died at Helena, Ark., 
Dec. 25, 1863. 

Privates.— Q\i2ir\Q.^ H. Bell, enlisted Sept. 2, 1863; John Carter, enlisted 
Aug. 25, 1863; James M. Egerston, enlisted Aug. 29, 1863; Joseph V. 
Hutton, enlisted Aug. 20, 1863; Alfred Johnson, enlisted Aug. 28, 1863; 
Olmsted McCormick, enhsted Aug. 28, 1863, died at Keokuk, Nov. 10, 
1863; John Scott, enlisted Sept. 5, 1863, discharged June 13, 1865; Henry 
Trasper, enlisted Aug. 27. 1863, died at Helena, Ark., Feb. 19, 1864. 

Company ^.— Thomas Emmons, 4th sergeant, enlisted Aug. 29, 1863, 
died at Helena, Ark., June 6,1864; Peter Brown, 3d corporal, enlisted 
Sept. 12, 1863; Geo. W. Henderson, enlisted Sept. 23, 1863. 

Unassigned recruit. — Hamilton Canada, enlisted Jan. 18, 1865. 

SIXTEENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY. 

Company I. — Andrew Shaw, private, enlisted May 24, 1861. 

FORTY-NINTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY. 

Company B. — Abram Tewilligar, private, enlisted Oct. 15, 1861. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 517 

SIXTY-FIRST ILLINOIS INFANTRY. 

Company I. — John Shay, private, enlisted March 28, 1862. 

SIXTY-SIXTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY. 

Comfany I — Privates: Robert G. Andrews, enlisted Oct. 2, 1861; 
Wm. Bellmore, enlisted Sept. 26, 1861 ; Lawrence Convey, enlisted Sept. 26, 
1861; Henry Convers, enlisted Sept. 26, 1861; John Convey, enlisted Sept. 
26, 1861; Henry Case, enlisted Sept. 26, 1861; John W. Dawson, enlisted 
Oct. 2, 1861; Jason W. Darwart, enlisted Oct. 1, 1861; David Feighner, 
enlisted Sept. 16, 1861; Howard Ferson, enlisted Sept. 26, 1861; Henry 
B. Foster, enlisted Sept. 26, 1861; Richard M. Jelly, enlisted Oct. 26, 1861; 
Lyon Casson, enlisted Oct. 2, 1861; Wm. F. Nichols, enlisted Oct. 1, 
1861; Ambrose Rankin, enlisted Sept. 29, 1861; James Stanard, enlisted 
Sept. 26, 1861; Geo. W. Steobold, enlisted Sept. 27, 1861; Martin Watts, 
enlisted Oct. 2, 1861. 

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SEVENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY. 

Company H. — Samuel C. Davis, private, enlisted Aug. 10, 1862; Geo. 
W. Davis, private, enhsted Aug. 20, 1861. 

FIFTEENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY. 

Company G. — John Myers, orivate, enlisted Sept. 6, 1864. 



CHAPTER VIIL— PART 2. 



WAR MATTERS AT HOME. 

Soldiers' Bounty and Relief Funds. — List of Soldiers' Wives aided. — The Military Draft. — 
Reception of Returned Regiment. — List of Johnson County Men in the Mexican War. — 
Johnson County's "Mormon War." 

soldiers' bounty and relief funds. 

All through the years 1861, '62, '63, '64, the county board struggled 
with difficulties in the matter of encouraging enlistments in the Union army 
and providing relief for the families of the men who went to the battle front. 
Various rules and orders were made, and afterward changed, modified or 
rescinded. The board was often divided on the matter; and change of 
members brought change of policy. Appropriations were made at differ- 
ent times, the highest sum at one time being $12,000. But as the records 
are not indexed, it was found impossible for the purposes of this history to 
hunt out and schedule or tabulate all of the county's doings in this regard. 
However, some of the more important transactions have been noted, in 
order to show to the rising generation something of the condition of things 
existing in that memorable war time. 
33 



518 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

On June 5, 1862, the committee on war fund reported that the total 
amount expended to aid soldiers' famiHes up to that time was $2,541.38; 
and that sixty-eight families, numbering in all 227 persons, had been so 
aided. James Remley, John Reed, John Parrott, G. E. DeForrest, and 
Wm. Wolfe were the committee. 

At a special meeting, August 4, 1862, a series of patriotic resolutions 
were adopted which gave no uncertain sound. President Lincoln had 
called for 300,000 more men to put down the rebellion ; and Johnson 
county came square and promptly up to the mark. $12,000 was appro- 
priated as a "relief and bounty fund," and a levy of four mills made to raise 
the money. $50 bounty was offered to each man who enlisted before 
August 20; and ^30 to each one from August 20 to September 10, 
These sums were not intended to Mre men to go, but to guarantee assist- 
ance and care for their families, in addition to their army wages. 

June 2, 1863, J. T. Turner, who had been acting as relief agent, reported 
that he had paid out since the January meeting J|)3,335.68, to 222 soldiers' 
families, numbering in all 830 persons. 

March 2, 1864, a special meeting was held, in view of the President's 
call for 500,000 more men. And it was ordered that $100 bounty should 
be paid to each man who enlisted on and after February 22, 1864; and 
that a tax should be levied in each township to pay this bounty to every 
man so credited on its quota of the whole number to be raised in the 
county. 

proceedings of the special meeting of the board of supervi- 
sors of johnson county, iowa, march 3, 1864. 

Wednesday, March 3, 1864. 

Board met in pursuance to the call of the clerk. Members all present. 

The following resolution was introduced by Fairall: 

Resolved, That this board vote a bounty to raise recruits under the 
Federal call for troops. 

The yeas and nays being called for, the resolution was adopted by the 
following vote: 

Those voting yea were: Carroll, Carwin, Fairall, Green, Huskins, Har- 
ris, Meacham, Miller, Stevenson, Shaver, Smith and Zeller — 12 JVays — 
Cook, Dudley, Felkner, Moreton, Paul, Sanders, White and Shuey — 8. 

The following resolutions were adopted: 

Resolved, That there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of one 
hundred dollars per man for each recruit accepted and credited since 
February 22, 1864, or that may be accepted and credited to the quota of 
Johnson county, under the late 500,000 call made by the President of the 
United States; and to pay said sum appropriated at the September meet- 
ing of this board, there shall be levied on the taxable property in each 
township in this county which has furnished recruits under said call, on 
and since February 22, 1864, a tax, sufficient to pay for each recruit so 
furnished for said call by said townships "under said call, or since February 
22, 1864. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 519 

The intent of this resolution being that each township shall be taxed to 
pay its bounties to the men by it furnished, and where any money has 
been furnished by private subscription to pay said bounty for the benefit 
of any township, such money shall be refunded from the tax of the said 
township to the individual who paid the same, provided the sum so 
refunded shall not exceed one hundred dollars per man. 

Resolved, The county judge be appointed a commissioner to determine 
who is entitled to said bounty, and on his order the clerk of this board 
shall issue a warrant on the county treasurer for the sum due each 
recruit, which warrants shall draw interest the same as other county war- 
rants, and to be paid out of the fund raised by said tax and from no other 
fund. 

The committee on per diem and mileage reported $65.44 due the mem- 
bers. 

On motion the board adjourned. J. G. Carwin, President. 

T. J. Cox, Clerk. 

From county supervisors' proceedings of June 6, 1864, the following 
points are taken: 

On motion — 

Resolved, That the clerk be authorized to correspond with each recruit 
who has been accredited to each township, and who are reported to have 
received bounty, under the order of the board, March 2, 1864, and 
inqure what amount of bounty each received and from whom received. 

Re-port of Committee on Relief Fund. — Your committee appointed to 
examine the account of the disbursing agent of the relief fund, and report 
as to the further distribution of said fund, ask leave to report as follows, 
to-wit: 

We have made a partial examination of the accounts and vouchers of 
said officer, and we are of the opinion that the whole report of said agent 
is correct. As to the further distribution of said fund, your commit- 
tee feel a hesitancy or delicacy in making any recommendation in refer- 
ence to the matter. We have found for some time past that it is an 
impossibility to discriminate in these matters as to who is really entitled 
to aid from said fund, and believe that the present system costs the county 
much more than the old system when we had an agent in Iowa City for 
all applicants to come to. 

We are of the opinion that this board should appoint an agent residing 
in Iowa City to take charge of the whole matter of determining who i? 
entitled to relief, and pay over to them such amounts as in his judgment 
their necessities require; that said agent be instructed to require all claim- 
ing aid to subscribe to an oath as to their effects and abilities of living 
without aid from said fund. The board has never contemplated paying 
indiscriminately, but only to persons who are actually in need, and liable 
to sutler if nothing is given. 

We are of opinion that many persons are drawing from said fund who 
could live without, and under the present system members are imposed 
upon. 

In some townships remote from the county seat, where it would be 
inconvenient and expensive for applicants to come to Iowa City to see the 
agent, we would recommend that the supervisors govern the matter as 
they deem best, either give orders on the agent, or send said applicants to 
the agent. 



520 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

We would also recommend that not more than four dollars per month 
be paid to any wife or widow of an}^ soldier or commissioned officer and 
only to those having families, and not more than one dollar per month for 
each child under twelve years in such families, and such amounts to be 
paid only when their actual necessities require it, and we would further 
instruct said agent to make no allowance to any one drawing a pension 
from the general government, and that he be required to make a receipt 
for each and every payment, and give bonds in the sum of $2,000. 

Your committee would further recommend that tGen. Fesler be 
appointed said agent, as he has become acquainted with most of such 
applicants and with their necessities. 

John Cook, "] 

N. Zeller, I ^, ... 

J. P. HUSKINS, \ ^^^^'^t'^' 

£, Carroll, J 

A LIST OF soldiers' WIVES RECEIVING AID FROM RELIEF FUND FROM JUNE, 
1864, to SEPTEMBER, 1864, AND THE AMOUNT RECEIVED BY EACH. 

Iowa City Township.— M. Anderson, $19.50; Margaret Ater, 21.00; 
Harriet Allen, 21.25; M. J. Arthur, 13.25; Mary J. Ayres, 12.00; M.J. 
Amlong, 21.00; Grace Bell,- 22.00; Joanna Burns, 15.00; Jane Barrett, 
25.75; Madelia Berry, 38.75; Harriet Ball, 25.00; Maria Barker, 25.00; 
EHzabeth Boisted, 7.00; Susan Brown, 21.00; Anna Brown, 5.00; Lucy 
C. Chamberlain, 22.00; Catharine Clark, 21.25; Bridget Conners, 27.00; 
Mary Cannon, 35.00; Clarissa Chamberlain, 20.00; J. A. E. Carson, 
28.75; Rebecca Cooper, 24.00; Lucinda Coventry, 15.00; I.ouisa Cashia, 
15.00; Mary Chapman, 12.00; Catharine Carson, 1.00; Elizabeth Cahill, 
26.00; Serrapta Douglas, 1.50; Bridget Dulan, 24.25; Mary Dewolf, 
18.00; J. Dick, 14.00; Mrs. Dunwoody, 1.25; Ann Elleman, 26.00; Sarah 
Emmerson, 26.00; Mrs. Elsworth, 1.25; Maria Farnsworth, 33.50; Mar- 
garet Fitzgerald, 35.50; P. P. Finefield, 20.50; M. C. Fowle, 35.50; Lucy 
Foster, 8.00; H. W. Fosberry, 19.50; M. A. Fisher, 29.25; Mrs. C. Fow- 
ler, 16.25; Clarinda Gilliland, 29.25; Mrs. C. Gossenberger, 15.00; Paul- 
ine Goody, 22.50; Mary L. Graham, 22.50; Catharine Group, 23.25; J. 
O. Gower & Co., 3.10; Minerva Haddock, 9.00; M. B. Hufi; 23.00; 
Mary Hills, 14.25; E.J. Hill, 30.00; M. A. Hanly, 29.00; Mary Hergen- 
satter, 32.25; EHza Hubbard, 33.00; Dorinda Harrington, 19.25; Sarah 
Henry, 1.25; M. E. Jones, 26.50; Anna Jones, 16.25; Anna Joveskey, 
15.25; Maria Johnson, 25.00; Henrietta Kruger, 26.25; Barbara Krell, 
28.75; Elizabeth Kehn, 16.50; Mrs. Klingerman, 7.50; Sarah Lindsey, 
15.50; Mrs. Perry Lake, 5.00; Mary Metzinger, 16.00; Eunice McCart, 
30.50; Helen Margus, 30.00; S. A. Mathews, 35.70; Nancy Moore, 28.00; 
Ursula Mehrlein, 24.75 ; Margaret Moffit, 26.00; Samantha McConnell, 
22.75; Drusilla More, 24.00; Marietta Miller, 19.25; Susanna Mash, 5.00; 
Mary Miller, 3.75; C. A. Mooney, 9.00; G. A. McCann, 6.00; Lizzie 
Nichols, 11.00; S. A. Overstreet, 21.25; H. M. Payne, 29.75; Anna 
Purdy, 26.75; Helen Poland, 14.25; Malissa Poland, 16.25; Minerva 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 521 

Paskett, 32.00; M. A. Plum, 7.50; Catharine Poor, 14.50; Lucinda Rians, 
15.00; R. L. Ross, 19.25; Mrs. A. Reever, 3.00; N. J. Rolstan, 27.00; 
Mrs. Mike Ruppert, 27.50; Charlotta Roomeis, 25.50; Elizabeth Roberts, 
26.00; Elizabeth Richmond, 20.25; M. J. Stroud, 38.00; Sintha Shearer, 
36.00; Mary Snyder, 13.75; Margaret Sliker, 27.00; Ann Sch wearer, 
13.75; Martha E. Smith, 26.00; Mary E. Schell, 21.75; Louisa Shaup, 
29.00; Barbara Straehl, 8.00; Catharine Stapler, 22.75; R. C. Tumbull, 
16.50; N. J. Timberlake, 15.25; Sarah Tallman, 23.00; N. V. Tanner, 
8.75; R. A. Vandyke, 10.50; Ellen Worthington, 30.75; V. M. Wolf, 
22.50; Mary Warren, 23.00; Adeline Wheeler, 11.50; Rebecca Wheeler, 
10.50; Catharine Wheeler, 11.75; Emma Witcher, 16.25; Margaret 
Ward, 17.00; S. A. Warner, 14.00; CaroHne Weineke, 18.00; Margaret 
Wood, 25.75; Sarah Winston, 19.50. 

Mad/sou Tozvjis/i/p.— Leah Alexander, 4.00; E. J. Eberly, 9.00; Deli- 
lah Hamlin, 11.00; Sarah Nichols, 5.00; Rosanna Stonebraker, 5.00; 
Elizabeth Woodling, 2.00. 

Oxford Township. —Mary Barker, 9.00; M. J. Lewis, 25.00; EHzabeth 
Whetstone, 13.00. 

Pleasant Valley Tozunship. — Elizabeth Brooks, 25.00; Susan Batcheller, 
16.00; Mrs. C. Duke, 9.00; Mrs. David Fowler, 5.00; Mrs. Bradley 
Harrington, 9.00; Hester Poland, 11.00; Sarah Rafter, 8.00; Hester 
Weed, 17.00; Francis Garbaugh, 20.00. 

Washing-ton Townshif. — Mary Taylor, 12.00; Nancy Gillam, 37.00. 

Fremont Township. — Mary C. Brophy, 17.00; Mary Burdick, 24.00; 
Louisa Craig, 11.00; Cath. Hamilton, 10.00; Amand Hyler, 10.00; Cath- 
arine Scott, 9.00. 

Penn Township.— Mary Cooney, 31.00; M. M. Direly, 6.00; Mary 
Gillett, 11.00; Matilda Hileman, 21.00; M. A. Lane, 18.00; G. T. May- 
nard, 16.00; M.V.Powell, 19.00; Catharine Volstine, 18.00; Elizabeth 
Yutz, 3.00; E. P. Yeanck, 21.00. 

Clear Creek Township. — Eunice Brim, 11.00; Emily U. Clark, 5.00; 
Martha Kepford, 24.00; Jane Wilson, 21.00. 

Jefferson Tozunship.— C. M. Bryan, 13.00; Mary Fordice, 11.00; Mrs. 
John Hill, 8.00; Mary Maybee, 10.00; Mrs. Robertson, 5.50; Ellanor 
Robinson, 20.00; Mrs. Wm. Smart, 10.00; Mrs. C. C. Wyatt, 20.00; 
Betsy Zykey, 15.75. 

Liberty Township. — M. J. Loan, 18.75; Elizabeth Myers, 5.00; Hannah 
Switzer, 12.00. 

Newport Township. — Margaret Bloom, 10.00; Francis Barker, 12.00; 
Emma Boyers, 5.00; Elizabeth Eister, 6.00; Nancy Evans, 23.00; S. C. 
Geary, 15.00; Rachel Flatters, 16.00; L. A. Geary, 5.00; Nancy Kim- 
ball, 8.00; N.J. Lentz, 28.00; Elizabeth Sillians, 14.00; M. A. Speelman, 
15.00; Louisa Tarbox, 12.00; Sarah Tippennaur, 29.00; Adelia Williams, 



522 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

20.00; Caroline Doat, 7.00; M. M. Dennis, 10.00; Mrs. L. Huss, 5.00; 
Elizabeth Niger, 23.00; Mrs. Poiper, 9.00; Mrs. E. B. Bunny on, 5.00. 

Scott Tozunshif. — Sarah Maynard, 5.00. 

Graham Tozvnsh{f.—C\\x\^\:\'A^ Dix, 18.00; M. E. Moore, 8.00. 

Monroe Tozuns hip. —M?iYy Cloud, 20.00; Mrs. Henry Ellsworth, 5.00. 

Hardin Township. — Mary Feighner, 15.00. 

June 1, 1866, the soldier's bounty fund stood at $3,235.90. The relief 
fund $4,045.21. The soldiers' orphans fund $196.09 — but there remained 
uncollected of the levy of 1866 for this fund $2,175.50; and of the relief 
fund uncollected, $4,358.78. 

January 5, 1867, S. C. Trowbridge reported that from Sept. 3, 1866, to 
date, he had disbursed as relief agent, $1,236.37, and had $173.96 of the 
fund still on hand. 

THE MILITARY DRAFT. 

In the fall of 1863, when President Lincoln had called for 600,000 more 
troops, and they seemed not to be forthcoming, a draft was ordered to 
take place on Tuesday, January 5, 1864. The enrollment for Johnson 
county in 1863 stood thus — 

FIRST CLASS. SECOND CLASS. 

White. Colored. White. Colored. 
Johnson County 1549 12 1021 1 

Iowa claimed to have already furnished her full quota without any 
draft; and Adjutant General Baker kept up a dispute with the War 
Department in regard to the matter, by which means the draft was delayed 
or postponed from time to time; but it finally came, October — , 1864. 
The following list shows who among Johnson county men drew prizes in 
this war-time lottery; and the Iowa City Press, which was rabidly hostile 
to the war administration and all its moves and measures, made this 
concession in its issue of Oct. 19, 1864: 

We were present at the Provost Marshal's office, during the time that 
the draft for this county was being made. The officers one and all 
appeared to enter upon their duties with the utmost concientiousness and 
care. 

Ever}'- opportunity was given those present to examine into each step 
of the drafting process. We cheerfully accord to the marshal, commis- 
sioner and deputies, the credit of conducting the matter in the fairest 
manner possible, and of treating all who desired to investigate it, in the 
kindest and most gentlemanly manner. 

LIST OF MEN DRAFTED IN JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Graham Township. — Drafted: E. Hawley, Jr., P. Hennessee, Gotleib 
Miller. Alternates: John Oatout, John W. Barnes, E. Oatout. 

Scott Township. — Drafted: Jonathan Ham, John Stevenson. Alter- 
nates: G. A. Chandler, Abram Hemsworth. 

Cedar Toxunship. — Drafted: Benj. Hemmingway, Samuel Spurrier, 
Pat. Larkin, M. Horty, T. Palmer, N. Walter. Alternates: W. Dixon, 
E. C. Trester, I. K. Dennis, A. Mali, M. Henik, R. Jordan. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 523 

Bio Grove 7bzw/s/«^.— Drafted : Warren Pratt, C. C. Painter, Wm. 
Hogg, M. Kashener. Alternates: L. Blum, John Hurd, John Hide, R. 
Russel. 

Sharon Township.— T)Y2iii&d: John P. Miller, F. Barclay, Fred Cais- 
ter, H. Schultz. Alternates: William Johns, William Evans, William R. 
Patton, M. J. Kaufman. 

Liberty Tozunshif. — Drafted: L. McKenzie, P. Close, H. Street. 
Alternates: A. Arnish, F. Rummelhard, J. Marks. 

Fremont Tow nshif. — Drafted: Thomas Reed. Alternate: Geo. W. 
Haskell. 

Pleasant Valley Totunshif. — Drafted: Samuel Jones, L. Freeman, C. 
Neal, John Green, W. Chapman. Alternates: Samuel Pursel, J. Farley, 
James Murry, W. E. Moon, E. C. Furnow. 

Monroe Township. — Drafted: Henry Mannon, John Wilkins, Charles 
Prope, D. A. Boget. Alternates: Jo. T. Brown, William E. Hartley, 
Geo. Goss, A. E. Boget. 

yej-erson Township. — Drafted: Jo. Barnes, A. Scolomana, Simon 
Anderson. Alternates: Jo. Nowatany, E. Febious, Van. Rigall. 

Madison Township. — Drafted: A. Snyder, Silas Roup, Wm. Wark, 
James Gould. Alternates: James Dutcher, Wes. Guttschall, Ben. 
Woodling, David Hoover. 

Washington Tozvnship. — ^Drafted: J. Garverson, Jo. Gingrich, Al. P. 
Brown, F.Williams, Joel Anderson, J. Brenneman. Alternates: Jacob 
Fry, Sr., P. Everhard, John Patterson, David Bender, Jo. Haines,J. Swart- 
zendruber. 

The Iowa City Press, of date Oct. 26, 1864, the next week after the 
above draft took place, contained the following editorial allusion to the 
men: 

Most of the drafted men from this county have gone to be marched off 
in chain-gangs, galley slave fashion, w'z'^? la Liberie f The,loyal leaguers- 
have succeeded in interposing niggers between their precious carcasses 
and the rebel bullets, by making use probably, of some of the campaign 
funds., while democrats, less favored, are compelled to bear the burden of 
the strife, which the loyal leaguers with death and hell have invoked. 

PROCEEDINGS OF A MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS FOR 
THE RECEPTION OF THE 22d IOWA VOLUNTEERS. [AugUSt, 1865.] 

On motion the following programme was adopted: 

1. All persons are requested to be at the depot on the arrival of the 
train. 

2. The brass band and the martial music will be in readiness to play at 
the head of the procession. 

3. As soon after the arrival of the train as the regiment can be formed, 
they will proceed to Metropolitan Hall, where they will rest a moment, 
during which a brief reception speech will be made. 

4. Immediately after the reception the regiment will march to dinner. 



524 * HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

On motion of Mrs. M'Connel, Mr. Brainerd was requested to give notice 
by small bills delivered at the residences of the citizens in the city, that 
contributions of edibles will be received and that they be delivered at the 
hall (not later than eleven o'clock.) 

On motion the following committees were appointed: — 

Finances. — Hon. S. J. Kirkwood, Dr. Murry and T. Hess. 

Tieasttrer. — Henry Murry. 

To Deliver Soldiers' Baggage Free from Defot. — Jos. M'Connel. 

Committee on Music. — S. J. Hess, S. P. McCaddon and R. Huchinson. 

Committee on Commissary Department. — M. W. Davis, E. Shepard 
and S. J. Hess. 

On motion of Mr. Ealy, that Friday, August 11, be the day set for a 
general celebration or barbecue, to be held at the fair grounds, and that 
all returned soldiers of the county be requested to be present. 

On motion of Col. Williams, that an ox be procured and roasted for the 
occasion, and that J. N. Clark and E. Clark be appointed as committee to 
superintend the roasting of the same. 

The citizens of the city and county are requested to contribute provis- 
ions for the dinner, and all cooked provisions be delivered at the fair 
grounds by nine o'clock. 

On motion, the same committees to be continued until after the 11th. 

CONTRIBUTIONS FROM FARMERS. 

The committee on commissary stores call upon the farmers ol old John- 
son for the following articles for the dinner of our soldier boys, on Friday, 
August 11 : 

Pigs, turkeys, chickens, hams, butter, eggs, potatoes, cabbage, beets, 
pickles, cucumbers, corn, beans, cheese, bread, biscuits, pies, cakes, &c. 

All the above articles, unless cooked and ready for the table, must be 
sent in by Wednesday, the 9th inst., and all articles that are prepared for 
the table must be delivered on the fair grounds by 9 o'clock on Friday. 
Any surplus articles will be given to the families of soldiers who were 
killed, or died in the service. All contributions will be acknowledged in 
the city papers. 

Articles may be left at Fink's or Davis' drug store. 

M. W. Davis, ) 

E, Shepard, > Com. Committee. 
S. J. Hess, ) 

The following from the local columns of the Iowa City State Press, of 
date August 16, 1865, shows that the foregoing programme was well and 
nobly carried out: 

The grand dinner to the soldiers on last Friday was a complete suc- 
cess, marred only by the heat and dust of the day, which did not at all 
interfere with the "vets." The soldiers of all companies that have left this 
county, who were home were present in their organized capacity; the 
whole being led oy the 22d, under Major Gearkee. 

The crowd was pretty large and seemed in a very good humor. 
There was no fighting, quarreling, nor in fact any of the slight disorders 
so often seen when crowds assemble — everybody felt too good for that. 

The ox, contributed by E. T. Seymour, Esq., was barbecued in a very 
satisfactory manner, and together with the mutton, game, and chicken 
fixins, made a very complete meal for the soldiers and families. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 525 

Speeches were made by Capt. Geo. W. Clark, Gov. Kirkwood, J. B. 
Grinnell, and others. The onl}^ speeches to which we paid any attention 
were those of Capt. Clark and Grinnell. 

The captain, it will be remembered, was with the regiment when it left 
the state, and accompanied it in all its tortuous course, until a painful and 
almost fatal wound compelled him to resign his position a few months 
since. 

The following from his speech will tell better than we can the feeling 
down in Dixie concerning the Twenty-second: 

" It may not seem becoming in me to speak of what our hoys have done, 
but it seems to me that I may say with propriety that we have traveled 
as far as many others, and at the same time had our share of fighting. 
We have never known a defeat, but we have had occasion many times to be 
told by the enemy that ' zee did not scare zuorth a cent!' This is doubtless 
true of all the Iowa regiments. They have all done nobly, and let me say 
that wherever I have been, over the length and breadth of this land, the 
best introduction I could get was to be presented as an Iowa soldier. Her 
name is written among the stars in letters that will shine brighter and 
brighter while time shall endure." 

Much more might we quote from this and other speeches, did space 
permit, but must desist. Suffice it to say, that the day and the occasion 
which called it forth will long live in the history of Johnson county. 

JOHNSON COUNTY MEN IN THE MEXICAN VV^AR. 

In 1846, during the administration of President James K. Polk, occurred 
the war with Mexico. A number of citizens of Johnson county enlisted 
in the army at that time, some of them serving in Mexico, while others 
were on duty elsewhere to take the place of "regulars" that had been 
sent to the front. A company of cavalry was made up mostly at Iowa 
City, who fully expected to go to Mexico when they enlisted, but instead 
were sent to Fort Atkinson on the Minnesota frontier, to watch the hos- 
tile Indians, in place of the regular army troops that had been sent from 
there to Mexico. The following are the names of the Johnson county 
men, as far as learned, who were members of that company: 

Capt. Philip Shafer, now of Washington township. 

J. R. Kimball, now of Iowa City. 

Ebenezer Sangster, now of Lucas township. 

W. Dollarhide, gone away. 

A. J . Beason. 

Elisha Ricord, now of Dallas, Texas. 

M. Frye, gone to California. 

Joseph M. Clemmens, deceased. 

Phineas Harris, deceased. 

W. F. Buck, now of Union township. 

John Shaff, gone. 

George W. Hess, deceased. 

H. Harless, gone to California. 

J. Milton Seydel, now of Scott township. 



526 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Other Iowa City men who were Mexican war soldiers, but not in the 
above company, are: 

A. R. Sausman, afterwards lived in Linn county, and now lives in Illi- 
nois. Served in Company K, Fifteenth U. S. Infantry. 

Samuel H. Thompson, walked from Iowa City to Muscatine, and 
enlisted there. Served in Company K, Fifteenth U. S. Infantry. 

Samuel Cole, now of Iowa City, was disabled in the Mexican war and 
draws a pension on account of it. 

Michael Mclnnery, now a groceryman in Iowa City, was in the battle 
of Chapultepec; was wounded in the cheek, and also in the side; had a 
bullet cut out. 

Lewis Swinehard and Wm. B. Hampton also served in Company K, 
Fifteenth U. S. Infantry in Mexico. 

JOHNSON county's " MORMON WAR." 

April 26, 1845, the county record says: 

Ordered, that Major P. McAlister be, and he is hereby allowed forty- 
seven dollars and fifteen cents for the provisions and corn and oats pur- 
chased by him and used in his trip to arrest certain Mormon prisoners in 
the western part of this territory, in this present month. 

(Mr. McAlister was sheriff at that time; " Major " was his given name, 
and not a military title; a circumstance often awkward and embarrassing 
to him.) 

July 8, 1845: Ordered, That Wm. Dupont be allowed nineteen dollars 
and fifty cents for provisions and horse feed furnished to the soldiers 
and officers of the Mormon war. 

Ordered, That Warren Stiles be allowed three dollars and twenty-five 
cents for boardmg furnished to the officers and soldiers of the Mormon 
war. 

Ordered, That Charles Connelly be allowed four dollars and sixty cents 
for boarding officers and soldiers in the late Mormon war. 

On July lllh, it was ordered, that M. P. McAlister be allowed forty- 
three dollars and eighty cents for feeding Mormons. 

January 7, 1846, M. P. McAlister is again allowed thirty-seven dollars 
and twenty-five cents for his services as sherift', and expenses paid by him 
to Brown and Douglass for provisions for Mormon expedition. 

July 8, 18 J 5, the following record appears: 

On the presentation of the accounts of A. Arrosmith, W. A. Henry 
and others, for the use of teams and personal services rendered in the late 
expedition against the Mormons, it is considered by the board that the 
said accounts and claims cannot be allowed, and are therefore rejected. 

Thus they laid this unwelcome ghost, but it arose again to torment 
them, and they surrendered, " horse, foot, and dragoons," as the following 
further record will bear witness: 

THE MORMON WAR DEBT PAID. 

January 5, 1849. " Major W. A. Henry this day presented a petition 
from diverse citizens of Johnson county, praying for compensation out of 
the county treasury to those persons who rendered meritorious services in 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 



527 



an expedition under the summons and 
sheriff' of Johnson county, against the 
and the board being fully advised in the 
number of days each person served in 
otherwise, being furnished and sworn to 
ered by the board that each person shall 
for each dayannexed to their names in 
teams two dollars per day. 

The following is the list of persons wh 
ing services rendered, and compensation 

Name of Person. Am'l Rec'd. 

Robert M. Huchinson $ 11 

Howard Sprague 9 

Hance Sprague 9 

Linus Niles 9 

Mathew S. Cleveland 9 

Ransom Mason 10 

Geo. W. Hess 22 

C. C. Catlet 10 

W. A. Henry 9 

Samuel McFaden 10 

C.J. Swan 10 

H. H. Downer 10 

Jacob Ricord 10 

E. Langster 10 

E. Redhead 10 

Wesley Redhead 10 

Thos. Banbury 10 

E. Pierson . . ." 10 

Ann Shelliday 22 

Lewis Wein 18 

Joseph Case 9 

A. Arrosmith 18 

John White 9 

Joseph Pinnegar 9 

Wm. M. Stevens 9 

S. De vault 9 

N. Spicer 11 

P. McGuire 11 

J. J. Shepherdson 9 

Joseph Bowen 8 

Wm. Lancaster 10 

S. W. Shaflf 11 

A. Sells 9 

Joseph Jecko 10 

Wm.Paxton 10 



command of M. P. McAlister, 
Mormons, in April, A. D. 1845; 
premises, and a list of names and 
said expedition, with teams and 
by Geo. W. Hess. It is consid- 
be entitled to one dollar per day 
said list, and each person with 

o served in said expedition, show- 
for the same: 

Services Rendered. 

Himself and team 

9 days services 

9 days services 

9 days services 

9 days services 

10 days services 

11 days services with team. .. 
10 days services 

9 days services. 

10 days services 

10 days services 

10 days services 

10 days services 

10 days services 

10 days services 

10 days services 

10 days services 

10 days services 

11 days services of hub'd & t'm. 
9 days services with team. . . 

9 days services 

9 days services with team . . . 

9 days services 

9 days services 

9 days services 

9 days services 

11 days services 

11 days services 

9 days services 

8 days services 

10 days services 

11 days services 

9 days services 

10 days services 

10 days services 



Total....- $480 



WHAT THE " MORMON WAR WAS ABOUT. 

From Thomas M. Banbury we gather some particulars of that ridicu- 
lous and pitiful episode in Johnson county history known as the " Mormon 
War." 



628 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

In 1844 the Mormons were driven from Nauvoo, Illinois, and started in 
companies by different routes toward Kanesville, (near the present city of 
Council Bluffs), where their "prophets" promised to establish the apostolic 
city and central seat of their thieocratic empire. One of these Nauvoo 
companies took the route of following the Iowa river, for there were as 
vet no trails or routes opened across the unbroken and unsurveyed wilder- 
ness of prairie beyond Johnson county. This fugitive troop was over- 
taken by winter when they had got as far west as what was called the 
" Big Woods," a few miles northwest of where the city of Marshalltown 
now stands; and here they made a winter camp, building rude cabins and 
mud huts and tent shelters as best they could, and slashing down young 
trees for their starving animals to browse upon the tender twigs and 
unopened buds. At this time the Poweshiek Indian trading post was near 
where the city of Marengo now stands, in Iowa county. This was the 
extreme frontier then, and a few white men had made claims in this vicinity 
along the banks of the river. There was no organized county west of 
Johnson, and her civil jurisdiction extended indefinitely to the setting sun. 
The roughs about the trading post put a report in circulation that the 
Mormons were robbing and murdering and depredating generally — and 
they called upon the sheriff' of Johnson county to go with a -posse comitat us 
and arrest their leaders. Major P. McAlister was the reigning sheriff, 
and he responded to the call as promptly as possible. A posse was formed 
at Iowa City and marched to Dupont's whisky store cabin on the north 
side of the river, on what is now section twenty-one in Monroe township 
Here the complainants themselves joined the sherift"s posse. George 
Hess had been chosen captain; and from here they marched in grand style 
like an army of conquest, making from twenty to twenty-five miles a day, 
all on foot. On reaching the vicinity of the Mormon camp, skirmishers 
were sent out to reconnoiter; pickets were estabhshed; and all the "pomp 
and circumstance of glorious war" was observed, as if in the presence of 
a formidable foe, and a great battle liable to begin at any moment. Two 
men then went into the Mormon camp with the awful summons to sur- 
render, or their stronghold would be taken by storm. They found a lot 
of peaceable, harmless, half-starved men, women, children, dogs and cat- 
tle, utterly inoffensive, but all everlasting hungry. The sheriff' had war- 
rants for fifteen or twenty men, and subpoenas tor as many more for wit- 
nesses. He however took only five as prisoners, and started back; 
marched five miles, and camped for the night on a low flat place. He had 
told the Mormon campers that if any of them wanted to leave that sect 
and go back to civilized settlements, they might go along: three women 
and a few men had accepted this offer. 

During the night a fearful rain storm broke upon them, and the camp 
ground was flooded six inches deep with water. In the midst of this 
storm and misery, one of the women (whose husband was also along) 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 529 

^ave birth to a child. For two days they all marched sopping wet — no 
sunshine nor a chance to dry. The new mother and child were carried 
in one of the supply train wagons, weltering in her wet and soiled gar- 
ments. The women were all left at the Poweshiek agency, and after- 
ward brought down to Iowa City in an ox wagon, by O. G. Babcock, 
now [1882] postmaster at Chase post office, in Madison township. He 
had just taken the claim where he still lives (in section 32), and the 
Mormons ate up all his sod crop and winter supplies. 

But now to return to the back-trail march and first night's camp. 
The prisoners had been put in charge of Mr. Banbury as deputy sheriff. 
Before and after the "grand army" stopped for camp, the roughs wanted 
to go back to the Mormon camp themselves, and let the rest go on. With 
regard to this, a leading and stalwart Mormon named Porter, made a 
strong speech, and said if the sheriff permitted them to go, he would go 
to, or die right there in the effort. During the dispute over this matter 
it became apparent that the whole thing was a plot of the roughs to get 
all the fighting men away fi-om the Mormon camp so they could go there 
without risk, to plunder the camp and ravish the women. When this 
secret had fairly leaked out, the camp became divided into the law-and- 
order party and the roughs party — the latter determined to go back- and 
the former determined that they should not; and Mr. Banbury says that 
for nearly an hour it seemed as if they would certainly come to bullets 
and knives, and have a bloody fight right there among themselves. He 
had promised Mr. Porter that if any of them went back he would go 
along, and Porter should go too. The sherift^'s party finally prevailed, 
however, and none were permitted to go back. 

When the cavalcade had got back as far as the Poweshiek agency 
[Marengo] the men who had made the complaint against the Mormons, 
and brought all this cost and trouble on Johnson county stopped, telling 
Sheriff McAlister to go on, and they would follow the next day, and 
overtake him before he reached Iowa City, and be ready to appear against 
the prisoners. The sheriff reached the city on Saturday. The next 
Monday his prisoners were brought before 'Squire Hawkins for examina- 
tion, but not a single complainant or witness appeared against them, and 
they were at once discharged. Their guns and baggage were restored 
to them and some provisions supplied for their return journey. Most of 
these Mormon men were Freemasons, and when the diabolical plot against 
them was made known, and confirmed by the fact that their accusers 
never dared to appear in court where law and reason ruled, very naturally 
a strong interest and sympathy was awakened in their behalf As a 
result of this they were supplied with many things for the relief and com- 
fort of their destitute people at the camp, and they departed with light 
hearts and heavy loads. 

Of course a great many jokes were perpetrated by the men on one 



530 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

another about that baby born in camp. Its own father was along — a 
funny little Frenchman. The sheriff' bemg commander-in-chief of the 
expedition, was asked why he did not go and act as midwife to the poor 
woman. He replied, " By G — d, that sort of tactics wasn't taught where 
he got his military education." The woman, in spite of her hardships, 
came up all right, and when she reached Iowa City about two weeks after- 
ward, the baby was bright and healthy, with sharp and cunning black eyes. 
A few ladies furnished the destitute mother with some garments for her- 
self and child. The parents went back to Illinois. 



CHAPTER IX.— PART 1. 



PHYSICAL FEATURES. 

Geography, Topography, Hydrography and Climatology. — The Iowa Weather Service. 

Johnson county lies between 41 degrees 24 minutes, and 41 degrees 51 
minutes of north latitude. The longitude of its central meridian is about 
91 degrees, 33 minutes west. It is bounded on the north by Linn county; 
on the east by the counties of Cedar and Muscatine ; south by Louisa and 
Washington counties, and on the west by Iowa county. It contains sev- 
enteen full congressional townships and about six sections over, which is 
equivalent to six hundred and eighteen square miles, or three hundred and 
ninety-five thousand five hundred and twenty acres. 

The surface of the country presents a great variety; the south-west 
and western portions are perhaps the most rolling or undulating, while the 
north-east and eastern parts are the most regular. The bluffy and broken 
lands lie principally along the streams. The Iowa and Cedar rivers are 
the prominent streams. 

In shape the county is not regular; its west line running north and south, 
is an unbroken township line, and it is the same with its north line, run- 
ning east and west, also its east line. But its south line extends from its 
south-east corner in a due west direction to the Iowa river, cutting that 
stream three times. At the third intersection the boundary follows along 
the channel up the river to the south line of township seventy-eight north, 
then following this south line to the south-west corner of townsihp seven- 
ty-eight north, range eight west, which south-west township corner is also 
the south-west corner of the county. 

The north-west corner of township eighty-one north, range eight west, 
is the north-west corner of the count3% and in like manner the north-east 
corner of township eighty-one north, range five west, and the south-east 
corner of township seventy-seven north, range five west, constitute respect- 
ively the north-east and south-east corners of the county. The county is 
traversed by two streams of considerable size — the Iowa and Cedar rivers, 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 531 

and with their branches is therefore well watered. The Cedar runs but 
a short course in the county, striking its north line about two and one-half 
miles west of the north-east corner and cutting the east line about three 
miles south of the same corner, running in all about six miles in the county. 
The branches of the Cedar within the lines of the count}- are few and 
small, the largest one heading near Mr. Nolan's, in section two, of town- 
ship eighty, range five west, and running about due north a distance of 
three miles, empties into the river just below quite a large island. 

The Iowa river enters the county at the northwest corner of section 
thirty-six, five miles south of the northwest corner of the county. It then 
runs a course a little north of east to section nineteen in township eighty- 
one north, range six west, at which point it changes its course to nearly 
southeast, running to the south line of section fifteen in township eighty 
north, range six west. Here its course is about south twenty-five degrees 
west to section five in township seventy-nine, range six. At this point 
(near Coralville) it makes a sudden bend, taking a course of about north 
twenty-five degrees east (or a direction about opposite to its last course), 
to section three of the last named township; from which point it runs 
almost due south nearly twelve miles, to the south line of the county, mak- 
ing in that distance only one mile of easting. Thence it bears still more 
easterly, and forms the boundary between Fremont township in Johnson 
county, and Iowa township in Washington county. 

The river, in its passage across the county, makes some very sharp and 
remarkable bends, the most notable of which is the one where it changes 
its course from north-easterly to almost due south. Among the smaller 
bends, the one on section thirty-one, in township eighty-one north, range 
six west, deserves notice. The river, after running a distance of two 
miles, comes back within about a third of a mile of itself. The banks, 
nearly all the way around the bend, are high, and the river channel nar- 
row, causing the stream to rise very high in times of flood. During the 
high water of 1851, a gorge occurred in this bend, throwing the waters 
back and raising them to a great height. In the fork of a tree standing 
near the mouth of Hoosier creek, about a mile above the gorge, Capt. F. 
M. Irish saw a rail that the waters of the gorge had lodged there. He 
found, by actual measurement, that the rail was elevated twenty-five feet 
above the ground at the foot of the tree, and nearly thirty feet above the 
water. 

Another bend occurs just above Iowa City, where the river, after run- 
ning a distance of about three and one-half miles, comes back within a 
mile of itself. A number of surve3^s have been made with a view of 
bringing the waters of the river, by canal or tunnel or both, from the 
northern flexure of this bend to the cit}^, for manufacturing purposes. The 
last survey of the kind was conducted by Peter A. Dey, Esq., C. E. of 
Iowa City. 



532 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

A remarkable contraction in the high water channel of the river takes 
place just below Iowa City, at a point below Joseph Stover's, and directly 
west of the residences of Cyrus and Richard Sanders ; here the river in 
1851 rose three to four feet higher than it did a half mile below. 

About a mile above where the river leaves the county altogether are 
the Buttermilk Falls, a place of danger in low water to the flat-bottomed 
craft of that pioneer merchant and the first boatman to successfully navi- 
gate this tortuous stream, John Powell, Esq. 

The river at this point has cut a channel through an ancient bed of 
" Drift," washing away the clay and leaving the boulders, large and small, 
scattered thickly along its bed, and the water rushing and foaming through 
them constitutes the Buttermilk Falls. 

On the west side of the Iowa river, the principal streams that empty 
into it within the limits of the county are, beginning at the south side of 
the county, first, a small creek that, for the want of any other name, I 
shall call Fesler creek. It enters the river about half a mile above the 
south line of the county. Next in order, going northward, is " Old Man's 
creek," quite a large stream. It with its branches, waters nearly all of 
the civil townships of Hardin, Union, Sharon and Liberty, and a part of 
Washington. The remainder of Washington township is watered by 
Deer creek and another branch of English river. About one mile and a 
half west of Iowa City, and above it on the river, near Coralville, Clear 
creek empties itself. Not so large a stream as Old Man's creek, yet it 
gives power to at least one mill on its banks. This stream waters the 
townships of Oxford and Clear Creek, and a small part of Lucas town- 
ship. 

There is but one more stream of note on the west side of the river — this 
is called on the map Buffalo creek, but has been iknown to the inhabi- 
tants along its banks as Dirty Face creek. [See N. Zeller's sketch.] It 
waters the southern part of Penn township, and empties into the river 
about two miles due northeast of Iowa City, — or five miles by way of the 
river. 

The n(>rth parts of Penn and Oxford townships are watered by insignifi- 
cant rivulets, flowing in a northerly direction into the Iowa river. 

The river, in the northwest part of the county, runs nearly east for a 
distance of about twelve miles, and the streams coming into it flow south- 
ward. 

First, in Monroe township we have, beginning at the west line of the 
county and going eastward. Price, Knapp, and Plum creeks. 

In Jefferson township Brown's, McAlister's, and a branch of Hoosieror 
Lingle creek. 

In Big Grove township, is Hoosier or Lingle creek. This is a consid- 
erable stream, the proper name of which is Lingle, from the mouth to 
the forks about three miles above, at which point the west fork takes the 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 533 

name of Hopsier creek, and the east one retains that of Lingle. There 
is a branch of Lingle creek on the west side about a mile above the 
mouth, which has already been spoken of as watering a part of Jefferson 
township. Just below the point of the meeting of Hoosier and Lingle 
creeks is the mill once known as Lingle's Mill, but is now known as the 
"Bohemian Mill." Also in Big Grove township, and to the south of 
Lingle creek is Sells, or Mill creek. This stream is properly called Sells 
creek, from Anthony Sells, who settled upon it in an early day and built 
a mill, now known as "Hendrick's Mill." This creek forks about a half 
mile above its mouth, the south branch taking the name of Jordan creek. 
Hendrick's mill is situated upon the north branch, on Sells creek, just 
above where Jordan joins it. We have now passed the point where the 
river makes its great bend to the south, and are now traveling south- 
ward. The last stream that we crossed (Sells creek) flows westward, as 
do all that succeed it. Going southward the next in order of importance 
is Turkey creek. Between this stream and Sells creek are to be found 
two or three small ones, the names of which are unknown to the writer. 
Turkey creek empties into the river about four miles above Iowa City. 
All of the streams we have crossed since leaving Sells creek are in New- 
port township. 

South of Turkey and about two miles above Iowa City is the mouth of 
Rapid creek, a large stream watering the township of Graham, and part of 
Newport. Its principal branch leaves it on the north side, about one 
half mile above the mouth, and is called Sanders creek. Upon this 
stream there were in early days the following mill sites: Radabaugh's 
saw mill, near the mouth of the stream; above this one mile was Strub's 
mill; at the crossing of the Dubuque road was the saw mill of Henry 
Felkner, Esq., the first saw rqill built in the county, and above this a 
short distance stood the Taylor, or McCrady mill. 

Passing Iowa City, we find running through its limits, a small stream 
called Ralston creek. It was named after one of the commissioners who 
located the capital, Robert Ralston, Esq., of Burlington. Below the city 
five miles, we find Snyder creek, (originally called Gilbert creek, from 
the old trader, John Gilbert), which waters parts of Scott, Lucas and 
Pleasant Valley townships. Ten miles below Iowa City, are two small 
creeks, the names of which are unknown to the writer. They rise in 
Lincoln, flow across Pleasant Valley, then down into the edge of Fremont 
township, and into the Iowa river. The eastern part of Scott township 
is watered by the head of the Wapsinonoc, a small branch of the Cedar 
river; which is also the case with the east part of Graham and Lincoln 
townships. This completes the list of water courses within the county. 

The surface of the county is well diversified with groves and patches 
of timber, and in the northern part especially is heavily timbered [whence 
34 



534 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

the name "Big Grove" township]. All the forest tress indigenous to 
the northwest exist in abundance. All the varieties of oak, walnut, hick- 
ory, ash, elm, and cottonwood abound. Its springs are pure aad 
numerous. 

A COUNTY WATER GAUGE. 

January 10, 1876, in response to a request from the Iowa Weather Ser- 
vice, the county board ordered a water gauge to be constructed "at or near 
the free bridge " at Iowa City, provided the cost should not exceed ten 
dollars. This is the bridge at the foot of Burlington street. 

SOME NAMES OF STREAMS. 

Picayune Creek is in Liberty township. " Picayune" was originally 
the name given in New Orleans to the old Spanish 6J cent piece, and later 
applied to the American silver 5-cent piece. New Orleans Picayune 
was the name of a daily newspaper which for some years enjoyed a 
national reputation. In the early ferry days it cost a "picayune" (6|- cents) 
for a man afoot to cross the Iowa riyer. 

Old Maid'' s Creek is in Union township; said to have been so named 
because four old maids lived on a farm on its banks in the early days. 

Hoosier Creek is in Big Grove township, and " Hoosier" being the pseu- 
donym for natives of Indiana, it took its name from settlers from the 
Hoosier state. 

Turkey Creek, in Newport township, was named by Sheriff Trow- 
bridge in 1838, because it was a good place to hunt wild turkeys. 

Rapid Creek, in the same township, was named also by him, on account 
of its roaring, rushing, rapid character, especially at the part where Henry 
Felkner built his saw-mill in 1839-40. 

Clear Creek was also named by Trowbridge, because of its clear flow- 
ing waters. But since that time its name has been belied by the herds of 
cattle tramping, and the droves of swine rooting and wallowing in its 
banks, marshes, and tributary brooklets. The original clearness of the 
creek has been swapped for fresh meat. 

MR. LATHROP'S REPORT ON CLIMATOLOGY. 

In January, 1881, H. W. Lathrop of Iowa City read a paper before the 
State Horticultural Society, which, though only including Johnson county 
in a general way, contains so much information of value to intelligent 
farmers and fruit growers in this region that it is worth preserving to 
them and their children for permanent reference. Mr. Lathrop says: 

The elements or constituents of climate are light, heat, and moisture. 
At the first glance of the subject one would suppose that all places in the 
same degree of latitude, coming under the same influence of the sun's 
rays, would enjoy the same degree of temperature, but such is not the 
case. The altitude of a locality above the sea-level, and its proximity to 
or remoteness from large bodies of water have much to do in giving 
places on the same parallel a different climate. The presence or absence 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 535 

of vegetation has its effect on the temperature of a country, a bare sur- 
face absorbing the sun's rays much more than one covered with a forest 
or a crop. Water absorbs much more of the sun's heat, retains it longer, 
ahd gives it off more slowly than the land, hence districts of country con- 
tiguous to large bodies of water — especially when the prevailing winds 
blow from the water, over the land — are much warmer during the cold 
season than those farther inland, and do not suffer from so great degrees 
of heat. 

In Michigan, places along the east shore of the lake in about the same 
latitude as central Iowa, rarely have a degree of cold below ten degrees 
of Fahrenheit, when we sometimes have it twenty degrees colder, and 
these twenty degrees in favor of the Michigan climate is the result of the 
heat absorbed and given off by the waters of the lake. 

The state of Iowa is so far from both oceans and the great lakes that 
she is beyond the influence of any one of them, unless it be that an occa- 
sional east wind in the spring is colder and more humid than it would be if 
L,ake Michigan was more remote. Ours is strictly an inter-continental cli- 
mate, one of great summer heat and severe winter cold, the range of the 
mercury in the thermometer being one hundred and thirty degrees. Our 
elevation above sea-level is 414: feet in the southeast corner of the state, 
660 in the northeast, 1,344: in the northwest, and 954 in the southwest, the 
average for the state, computed from this data, being 850. But there is 
an elevated ridge dividing the east from the west water-shed, extending 
from Dickinson county in the northwest to Ringgold county in the 
south, and this ridge embraces the highest land in the state, which is in 
the north about 1,700 feet, and in the south 1,220 feet above tide-water. 
Other things being equal, the highest points will suffer the greatest degree 
of cold and the lowest points the least, but the difference is so small and 
the ascent from low to high so gradual that altitude can hardly be con- 
sidered a leading factor in comparing the different localities in the state 
with each other in reference to their climate. The descent from Iowa to 
the Gulf is less than half a foot to the mile. 

Being remote from large bodies of water, we have less cloudiness and 
more sunshine than places not so situated, and hence, having a greater 
degree of insulation, our grains and fruits mature much earlier and more 
rapidly than they otherwise would. During the summer of 1858, which 
was a very wet season, the crop of wheat became almost worthless in 
consequence of the great amount of cloudiness, with a superabundance of 
moisture, both the straw and the grain lacking in substance and maturity, 
and whole fields remained unharvested. 

Iowa being in the belt of perennial rains is subject to the laws which 
govern those rains or the rainfall, in the belt, and j^et it is difficult to 
determine what those laws are except that a current of warm air saturated 
with moisture, meeting a cold one or passing into a cold medium, parts 
with a portion of its moisture in the shape of fogs or rain. The greater 
degree of atmospheric heat, the more moisture the air can contain, hence 
our heaviest rains are during our periods of greatest heat. 

As with heat, so with-rainfall; we are subject to great extremes. The 
greatest amount of rain in any one year of which we have any record 
was in 1851, when it amounted to a little over six feet (74.49 inches), and 
the least in 1854, when we had a little less than two feet (23.35 inches), 
the general average in the central part of the State being not far from 
fortv inches. 



536 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

In the year of 1851 there were seventeen rainy days in May, twenty- 
one in June and fifteen in July; in 185S, May had twenty-one, June 
six and July sixteen rainy days. In 1854, May had thirteen, June 
two and July ten. In 1855 May had five, June ten, and July eight. 
Thus it will be seen that in two of our most rainy seasons the three 
months in which the crops are mostly grown had respectively forty- 
three and fifty-three rainy days (more than one-half), while in the two 
years of the least rain the same months had respectively twenty-three and 
twenty-five rainy days. The noticeable difference in the seasons of 1851 
and 1858, was that in the former the rain came in showers, and fell in tor- 
rents, with much sunshine between the showers, while in the latter the 
rain fell more continuously with a great deal of cloudiness. 

Although the annual rainfall is about the same now as it was a third or 
a quarter of a century ago, it is apparent that our springs, sloughs and 
rivers are discharging much less water than they did then; the breaking 
up of the tough impervious prairie sod, and its reduction to a loose, friable 
soil by constant cultivation, has increased its capacity for moisture, hence 
it retains much of the water that used to find its way into the streams, and 
it may now be questioned whether the turning and over-turning of this 
soil by the plow of the husbandman and its exposure to the sun and wind 
is not affording a moisture to the atmosphere that renders it constantly 
more humid than it was in the first settlement of the country. To this 
fact, in part, may we not attribute our failure to raise the crops of wheat 
we once did, and has it not produced a change in the diseases incident to 
human life? 

The thousands of acres that were once covered with a luxuriant growth 
of wild grass, only pastured here and there by a few wild deer, are now 
the grazing grounds of myriads of cattle feeding on a " thousand hills,' 
and this close grazing is having its effect in reducing the quantity of our 
surplus water. 

In the State of Iowa where the surface is not broken by any consider- 
able ranges of hills, mountains, valleys or forests, and where all the adja- 
cent country is of like character, the winds are most sweeping and power- 
ful in their operations. The hyperborean blasts that come down to us 
from the north, with their breath whetted to the keenest edge by Minus 
Zero's fingers, cut like Damascus blades, and fortunate are the men, ani- 
mals and plants that are protected fi-om the surges of these frigid blizzards. 
The two severest drawbacks in our climate are the few days of severe 
cold winter weather, and our strong swiftly blowing winds. 

The most destructive winds to our fruit crops are those that come from 
the southwest, and that make their advent soon after the blossoms have 
appeared, and when the embryo fi"uit is in its most tender stage. They 
come from the dry arid plains of New Mexico, Kansas and Nebraska, a 
region that is truly the American Desert, where moisture is the exception, 
and drought the general rule, and they come to us from those parched 
regions hot and thirsty, ready to lick up with avidity all the moisture in 
their course, and their scorching breath is such that the tender leaves of 
our trees are often shriveled and the young fruit blasted by them. The 
winds do not blow for a very long time, but they are very telling in their 
effects while they do blow. Last spring they had come and gone before 
the blossom-buds had opened. 

If the country whence these winds come, and which lies mostly west of 
the hundredth meridian of longitude, should ever become irrigated by arte- 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, 



537 



sian wells, and thus be rendered habitable and productive, these winds 
will not come to us in the hot and dry character they now do; but that 
event, if it ever happens, is in the far-oft' future. This phase of our chmate, 
especially in such a winter as this [1880-81], when the mercury and zero 
are hobnobbing nearly every day, is the strongest argument that can be 
presented for the extensive planting of wind-breaks. 

THE IOWA WEATHER SERVICE. 

Dr. Gustavus Hinrichs of Iowa City was the father and founder and mas- 
ter-builder of the Iowa weather service, and his faithful labors, untiring zeal, 
and practical skill in the work have resulted in official records and reports 
published by the state that have already given Iowa a rank second to no other 
state or country in the scientific repute of her meteorological work. The cen- 
tral station was established by law at Iowa City. And thus, although it is a 
state work, and a state institution, the credit and the honor both of its 
origination and its practical success belong to Johnson county, and a John- 
son county man. Hence this historian has compiled from the immense 
mass of published data such brief facts and particulars as would have a 
special or local interest to the patrons of this volume, and at the same time 
serve to give some general idea of the sort of work that is being done for 
the benefit of agriculture, commerce and the economic industries, by the 
devotees of meteorological science. 

CENTRAL STATION. 

The act of the Seventeenth General Assembly of Iowa, establishing the 

central station and ap- 
pointing the director 
of the Iowa Weather 
Service, did not ap- 
propriate means for 
the erection of such 
an institution, nor 
give any compensa- 
tion to the director, 
whose very extensive 
duties were defined by 
the same act. The 
problem of providing 
the necessary room 
was very pressing 
even during the first 
year of the service 
as a state institution. 
During the summer 
months of the year 
CENTRAL STATION IOWA WEATHER SERVICE. 1879 the director, 




538 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 



therefore, erected a three-story structure in the entering angle of his 
residence, corner of Capitol and Market streets, Iowa City, and fronting 
north. The two upper stories and the flat roof or terrace of this struc- 
ture [see cut] were set apart for the use of the service, and have been so 
occupied since September, 1879. On the roof or terrace of this building 
are the instruments which require full exposure, such as wind-vanes, 
wind force plate, Robinson's anemometer, insulation thermometer, radia- 
tion thermometer, rain-gauge, evaporimeter, and the like; also a flag-staff 
for the display of flag and lantern signals. Besides, this terrace is the 
place for observation of sun-spots, and of all general meteorological phe- 
nomena, as it furnishes a fine view of the entire landscape and a free view 
of the sky, the building standing near the edge of the bluft'east of the Iowa 
river. 

The room immediately below this terrace is the meteorological observ- 
atory proper. The windows furnish a fine view of the sky in all direc- 
tions, and an arrow on the ceiling marks the direction of the wind. 
Standard mercurial barometers and aneroids give the pressure of the air, 
while temperature and humidity are observed on a full set of standard 
thermometers, a psychrometer, and an improved hair-hygrometer in the 
case attached to the east window of the north wall. Here are also many 
additional instruments, and meteorological collections have been begun, such 
wind-worn and polished rocks, specimens of wood showing the effects of as 
tornadoes and of lightning, and especially a fine collection of meteorites 
from all parts of the globe. 

THE FIRST LUSTRUM OF THE SERVICE, 1876-80. 

The first International Congress of Meterologists introduced the lustrum 
or period oi five years; beginning with the first and sixth year of each 
decennial period. Our Service, having begun observation on Oct. 1, 1875, 
has therefore completed one such period, from Jan. 1, 1876, till Dec. 31, 
1880. 

RAIN-FALL IN IOWA. 

The only results fully reduced from the observations of the Volunteer 
Observers of the Service and covering the entire lustrum 1876-80, are 
those relating to the rain-fall. The following table indicates the fullness 
of the material used: 



1875 



1876 



1878. 



1879. 



1880. 



1878-80. 



Stations reporting 

Stations complete 

Monthly Reports received. 
Rain-fall measurements. . . 
Rain-days per month . . . . 



195 



75 

39 

778 

3500 



86 

47 

776 

4500 



88 

54 

898 

6126 

6.8 



105 

68 

1043 

5994 

5.7 



94 

64 

986 

5962 

5.1 



62 

2922 

18086 



Total number of wc>«////y reports seceived, 4,671, including 195 recieved 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 539 

during the first three months of the service, from October to December, 
1875. The total number of rain-fall measurements made is 26,082. 
Hence the average rain frequency per month has been 5.5 during the 
lustrum for any one station. More accurately the rain frexuency during 
the year 1878 to 1880 has been 6.2 per month for each station, or one day 
in five has been a rain-day. 

From the tables it appears that the mean annual rain-fall of Iowa has 
diminished from 1876 to 1879, and is now increasing; that the diversity of 
distribution was greatest when the mean annual rain-fall was greatest, 
increasing and diminishing with the same. 

For each month and for each year a rain-fall map is constructed, consti- 
tuting now a large atlas of eighty-four maps. Many additional rain-fall 
maps are drawn, for decades, special storms, seasons and the like. 

RAIN-FALL AND TIMBER. 

The rain-fall niafs constructed for each year, and for the lustrum 1876- 
80, show conclusively that the amount of rain-fall in Iowa is largely 
influenced by the distribution of timber, the annual rain-fall increasing 
with the amount of timber or foliage in the different portions of the State. 

The amount of rain-fall in any large territory like Iowa, occupying a 
considerable portion of a continent, is undoubtedly first of all determined 
by its position in such continent. In the case of our own State, the rain- 
fall is primarily conditioned by our position in the great Mississippi Valley, 
which owes its relatively high rain-fall to the southerly winds blowing 
from the gulf. 

The distribution of this rain-fall, expressed in the form of the lines of 
equal rain-fall is, however, as matter of fact^ in Iowa, remarkably special- 
ized: and this same peculiar form of curves is repeated in the lines repre- 
senting the distribution of timber within our State. As now, finally, 
neither elevation nor any other physical element in our State is found to 
correspond, the conclusion appears irresistible, that the distribution of rain- 
fall over the territory of our State is closely related to the disibuction of 
timber in the same. It may, therefore, be asserted as fairly established by 
the five 3'ears' work of our service, that in the planting of timber we 
possess a means to increase the amount of rain-fall for a given region. 

The following rain map is a pictographic exhibit of the practical con- 
clusions wrought out by the five years' work of Dr. Hinrichs and his 
co-observers : 



540 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

RAIN MAP FOR THE LUSTRUM, 1876-80. 




LIST OF STATIONS AND OBSERVERS WHO HAVE FURNISHED MONTHLY 
REPORTS REGULARLY DURIN(J THE FIRST LUSTRUM OF THE SERVICE. 
Station. Observer. 

Sac City, Sidney Smith, Merchant. 

Grant City, Edwin Miller, Postmaster. • 

Algona, James Barr, M. D. 

Charles City, Luther P. Fitch, M. D. 
Albion, Enoch Lewis, M. D. 

Fort Dodge, Solon Prindle, died 1880; observations continued by 
his father, D. Prindle. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 



541 



Station. Observer. 

Grand Junction, E. J. Couch and Geo. Cough, Farmers. 



Hon. Frank Larrabee and Miss Rachel Larrabee. 

Francis H. Robbins, Druggist. 

Gregory Marshall, Farmer. 

Miss AugusLa Larrabee. 

Gershom H. Hill, M. D. 

D. W. Crouse, M. D. 

Hon. Jacob K. Wagner, M. D. 

Mrs. May U. Remley. 

M. M. Moulton, City Marshal. 

Prof. Thomas Myrick Irish. 

A. B. Bowen, M. D. 

Prof. D. S. Sheldon and Miss Sarah G. Foote. 

H. H. Maynard, M. D., and Thos. Rigg, Druggist. 

Prof. Finley M. Witter. 

Hon. J. D. Miles and Theo. W. Bennett, M. D. 

Miss Anna Hinrichs. 

Conrad Schadt, Druggist. 

H. C. Huntsman, M. D. 

Geo. D. Clarke, Druggist. 

Curtis Houghton, Farmer. 

M. Riordon, M. D., and Hiram N. Bassett, M. D. 

Col. Gustavus B. Brackett, Horticulturist. 

Dr. Charles Wachsmuth, Palagontologist. 
Sherman Twp., Jasper county, Edwin T. Preston, Farmer. 
Grant Twp., Union county, Capt. Chas. S. Stryker, Farmer. 
The work done by the observers named is doubly valuable because it 
has been continuous. Even where a change became necessary, the 
observers named had sufficient interest in their work to secure its continua- 
tion by a competent person. As this work is altogether gratuitous and 
voluntary, it will be seen that it was no small labor done for the public 
benefit; and the people who did it are worthy of perpetual honor and 
gratitude, for such reports are of no value unless kept up faithfully for a 
series of years. 

IOWA CITY WEATHER REPORT. 
The following local report for Iowa City is also by Dr. Hinricks: 

TWENTY YBARS' NORMALS OF TEMPERATURE AND RAIN-PALL. 

For Iowa City we have the record of the observations of Professor T. S. Parvin, begun 
in 1861, and our own observations, begun in 1871. The observations of Professor T. 8. 
Parvin have been copied from his original journals tor the years 1861 to 1870, and properly 
reduced. The same has been done for my own series of observations, for 1871 to 1880. 
The two series combined give, by the so-called secondary means, the values given below 
for each decade of each month, covering this period of twenty years, 1861 to 1880: 



McGregor, 

Waukon, 

Cresco, 

Clermont, 

Independence, 

Waterloo, 

Blairstown, 

Anamosa, 

Monticello, 

Dubuque, 

Maquoketa, 

Davenport, 

Tipton, 

Muscatine, 

CrawforJsville, 

Iowa City, 

Amana, 

Oskaloosa, 

Fairfield, 

Brookville, 

Mt. Pleasant, 

Denmark, 

Burlington, 



542 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 



N0KMAL8 BY DECADES AND MONTHS, FOR THE CENTKAL STATION, I. W. 8., 

For Twenty Tears Observations, at Iowa City, Iowa, 1861-80. 



Months. 



Mean Tempeeture 
Degrees, F. 



I II III Month. 



Rain-Fall, in 
inches. 



I II III Month. 



January. . 
February. 

March 

April 



May 

June. . . 
July. . 
August. 



September. 
October . . 
November. 
December. 



18.7 
22.0 
29.6 
43.3 

55 5 
66.3 

73.7 
73.1 

66.4 
55.0 
40 7 
26.3 



191 
24.4 
32.2 
47.9 

60.0 

68,8 
74.1 
71.8 

62.9 
50 3 
35.8 
23.2 



20 3 
27.1 
37 3 
51.6 

63.8 

71.8 
73.8 
69.6 

59.4 
45.1 
29 3 
20.2 



The year-mean 47.47 



19.4 
24.4 
33.1 
47.6 

59.9 
69 
639 

71.2 

62.9 

49.9 
35.3 
23.1 



.52 

.55 

.80 

1.20 

1.20 
1.65 
1.65 
1.42 

1,80 

1.10 

.95 

.60 



.60 

.55 

.95 

1.20 

1.20 
165 
1.27 
1.65 

155 
.95 

.82 
.50 



.60 

.70 

1.10 

1.10 

1.35 
1.55 
1.20 
1.85 

1.25 
.90 
.70 
.50 



Total. 



1.72 
1.80 
2.85 
3.50 

3.75 
4.85 
4.12 
4.92 



39.13 



These temperature normals are the results of 30,000 observations, of which about 11,000 
belong to Parvin's series, the other 19,000 to my own. I have determined the mean temper- 
ature of every other day of the year from the above, the first thoroughly reduced and near- 
ly uniform series of twenty years' observations for any one place in the State. 

These values are of great importance for the determination of the character of any day, 
as to its being hot or cold, and how much above or below normal it may be. The follow- 
ing table gives the normal mean temperature for every odd date of the year; the values for 
the days of even date are obtained by interpolation at sight. Thus: January 16th has a 
normal mean temperature of 19.1 degrees. 



NORMAL mean TEMPERATURE FOR EACH DAY OP THE YEAR, 

Determined from Twenty Tears' Observations, at Iowa City, Iowa 



Date. 


Jan. 


Feb. 


Mar. 


April 


May. 


June. 


July. 


Aug. 


Sept. 


Oct. 


Nov. 


Dec. 


1 


19.2 

189 
18.7 
18.6 
18.7 

18 8 


21.2 

21 6 
22.0 
22.5 

22 9 

23.3 


28.7 
291 
29 6 
30.1 
30.5 

310 


40.7 
42.0 
43 2 
44.8 
45.4 

46 8 


54.0 
54 8 
55.5 
56.3 
57.3 

58.2 


653 
65 9 
663 
66.8 
67.8 

67.8 


73.0 
73.3 
73.6 
78.9 
74.0 

74.1 


72.8 
72.7 
726 
73.5 

72.4 

72.2 


67.8 
67.1 
66.4 
65.7 
65.0 

64 8 


56.8 
55.9 
55 
54 
58.1 

53.1 


42.2 
413 

40 4 
396 

38.7 

37.7 


27.4 


3 


26.8 


5 


26 3 


7 


25.7 


9 


25.0 


11 


24.4 


18 


18 9 


238 


31.5 


47.1 


59.1 


68 8 


74.1 


72.0 


63.7 


51.2 


36.7 


23.8 


15 


19.0 


24.4 


32.2 


47 9 


59.9 


68.8 


74.1 


71.8 


62.9 


50.2 


35 7 


28.2 


17 


19.2 


24.9 


33 


48.6 


60.7 


69.4 


74.0 


71.5 


62 2 


49.2 


34'7 


22.5 


19 


19.5 
19.8 


25.4 
259 


33.9 
34 9 , 


49.3 
501 


61.4 
62.2 


69.9 
70.6 


78.9 

78.7 


71.1 
70.5 


61.5 
60.7 


48 2 
47.2 


38 5 
32.0 


21.9 


21 


21.3 


23 


20 


26.5 


36.0 


50 8 


62.5 


71.1 


73.5 


70.1 


60.0 


462 


30 5 


20.6 


25 


20 3 


27.1 


37.1 


516 


63.2 


71.8 


782 


69.6 


59.8 


45.1 


29 4 


20.1 


27 


20 6 


27.6 


38.3 


52.3 


64 3 


72 2 


73.1 


69.0 


58.5 


44.1 


28 6 


19.8 


29 


20.8 


28.2 


89.6 


53 1 


64 8 


72.6 


78.0 


68.4 


57.6 


43.2 


27.9 


19.4 



Persons who may wish to investisjate this Weather Service matter still further, can obtain 
sundry printed reports on it by applying to Dr. Hinricks. The observations throughout 
the state are compiled at the Central Station and printed by the State Printer in monthly 
bulletins; and no one can realize or fairly comprehend the nature, extent and real value 
of the work being done without examining a series of these well edited and neatly printed 
bulletins. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 



543 



DATES OF EARLY AND LATE FROSTS. 



Table showing the date of the earliest and latest frosts and ice; also the 
time of disappearance, and depth of frost, and thickness of the ice at Iowa 
City, from 1839 to 1873, prepared by H. W. Fyfte. 



TEAR. 



LATE 
FROST. 



EARLY 
FROST. 



DISAPPEAR- 

AN<'E OF 
FROST. 



Q 



LATE 
ICE. 



EARLY 
ICE. 






1839 
1840 
1841 
1842 
1843 
1844 
1845 
1846 
1847 
1848 
1849 
1850 
1851 
1852 
1853 
1854 
1855 
1856 
1857 
1858 
1859 
1860 
1861 
1862 
1863 
1864 
1865 
1866 
1867 
1868 
1869 
1870 
1871 
1872 
1873 



April. . 
April . . 
April . . 
May . . 
May . . . 
May . . . 
May . . . 
April . . . 
May . . . 
May . . . 
May.. . 
April. . 
May . . . 
May . . . , 
May . . . 
May . . . 
May . . . 
April . . 
May . . . 
April . . 
April. . 
May, . . 
May'. . . 
April. . 
August. 
March. 
May.. . 
May . . . 
May . , 
April . . 
May . . . 
April . . 
May. . . 
April . . 
April. . 



17 
,27 

12 

.4 

.2 
,21 

25 
.15 

26 
,10 

. 1 

23 
,.5 
.20 

25 
..2 

.6 
.19 

20 
.26 
.23 

. 1 

..4 

24 
.25 

11 
.11 
..2 
..6 

.5 
,19 

16 
.10 
.22 
.25 



Sept. . . 
Sept . . . 
Sept . . . 
Sept . . . 
Oct ... , 
Oct.. . 
Sept . . . 
Oct.... 
Oct . . . 
Sept . . . 
Oct . . . 
Sept . . . 
Sept. . . 
Sept . . . 
Sept. . . 
Oct . . . 
Sept . . . 
Sept. . . 
Oct . . . 
Sept... 
Sept . . . 
Sept . . . 
Oct . . . 
Oct . . . 
August , 
Sept . . . 
Oct . . . 
Sept . . . 
Oct . . . 
Sept . . . 
Sept . . 
Oct . . . 
Sept . . . 
Sept . . , 
Sept. . . 



12 

28 
11 
17 
. 8 
10 
.21 
. 2 
. 9 
.23 
. 8 
..7 



28 

,26 
10 
15 

,27 
24 
10 
12 
.2 
11 
23 
10 

.29 

,19 
.2 

,21 
23 

,17 
26 
12 
21 

.26 
. 8 



April . . 

May 

April . . . 
April . . . 
March . . 
March . 
April . . . 
April . . . 
April . . . 
April . . . 

May 

May 

April . . . 
April . . , 
April . . . 
May . . . 
April . . . 
April . . . 



10 
.5 
. 1 
. 1 

20 
12 
. 1 

. 2 
17 
10 
.7 
23 
15 
. 7 
20 
11 
22 
22 



March . 
April . . 
April . . 
April . . , 
May . . . 
March . 
April . . 
April. . 
May. . . , 
April . . 
April . . 
April . . 
May . . . 
April . . 
May . . . 
May... 
May. .., 
April . . 

May 

April. . 
April . . 
April . . 
April . . 
April . . 
April . , 
April . . 
April . . 
April . . 
April . . 
April . . 
April . . 
May .. 
May . . . 
April . . 
April . . 



,25! 
18 

1^ 
28 

. 1 

,30 

. 8 

13 

. 4 

26 

20 

23 

..1 

22 

13 

. 2 

. 6 

19 

12 

16 

23 

. 2 

16 

. 6 

. 8 

14 

. 6 

.6 

.6 

. 8 

13 

. 4 

11 

22 

25 



Nov 

Oct 

Oct 

Oct 

Oct 

Oct 

Oct 

Oct 



...7 
.. 3 
. 17 
. 19 



. 16 
.. 5 
. 18 
Oct .... 14 

Oct 1 

Oct .... 13 
Sept .... 26 

Oct 15 

Sept 26 

Oct 2 

Oct 15 



25 
24 

20 
.7 
. 6 



Oct , 
Sept, 
Oct . 
Oct . 
Oct , 
Oct .... 24 
Sept .... 24 

Oct 25 

Oct .. 
Oct .... 18 
Oct ... . 15 
Oct .... 31 

Nov 4 

Nov 

Oct .... 13 

Sept 24 

Sept 
Sept 
Sept 



27 
12 
10 
10 
11 
21 
20 
20 
20 
18 
24 
18 
22 
20 
17 
21 
26 
30 



544 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

CHAPTER IX.— PART 2. 



GEOLOGY. 

Two State Geologists. — U. S. Geologist at Iowa City. — Prof. Agassiz at Iowa City.— Prof 
Calvin's List of Fossils of Johnson County. 

Iowa has had two State Geologists, Hall and White. Hall's reports 
were published in two volumes in 1858. His work was entirely in the 
eastern half of the State, and gave a fly-brush touch on Johnson county, 
while Dr. White's work was entirely in the western half of the State, and 
did not touch Johnson county at all. So out of four volumes of official 
State reports on the Geology of Iowa, here is all we find about this county: 

On the Iowa river, in Johnson county, the rocks are well exposed in the 
neighborhood of Iowa City, where there are numerous quarries, which 
have been opened to supply the town with lime and building materials. 
The layers are of very various lithological character. In a quarry opened 
about a mile above the city, on the east side of the river, nearly opposite 
the mill, there is an exposure of about forty feet of a thin-bedded, bluish 
limestone, which weathers of a dirty yellow. 

The la3^ers dip about 5 degrees in a direction S. 80 degrees E. This 
rock is not durable enough to make a good building stone when it is to be 
exposed to the weather; it will answer very well for underpinning. 

Nearer the town, on both sides of the river, the rock along the base of 
the blufls is a dark-colored argillaceous limestone, which is crowded with 
fossils, especially corals, among which the genera Favosites, Lithostrotion^ 
and Stromatopora are the most frequent. 

Higher up, the rock becomes more compact and less distinctly strati- 
fied. It is almost a pure carbonate of lime, containing hardly more than 
one per cent of other substances. It forms a durable building stone, 
although not splitting or dressing handsomely. When polished, the large 
coraline masses which it contains, especially the Lithostrotion^, are very 
beautiful, and pieces have been worked up into small ornaments, such as 
paper-w^eights, and are well known under the name of "Iowa marble." 
Unfortunately the layers are not sufficiently free from flaws to be manu- 
factured into objects of any considerable size. The same rocks may be 
observed at various points up the Iowa for a distance of ten or twelve 
miles from Iowa City. Within the limits of Johnson and Iowa counties 
we have not been able to find any other outcrop of the Hamilton rocks, than 
those on the Iowa river along this part of its course. Beyond T. 81, R. 
7, there are no rocks seen in place, except a few patches of sandstone, until 
we reach Tama coimty. Not a single exposure of rock was discovered 
on any of the smaller streams to the south of the Iowa, although diligent 
search was made along the valleys of Old Man's creek, and the north fork 
of the English river. Through Iowa county low blufis border the river 
at a distance of from half a mile to a mile from the stream, but they are 
made up of finely comminuted materials without even so much as a loose 

*This is a mistake. Later authorities Sfiy that the genus Lithostrotion is not found here, 
but that the genera Acervularin and Philipsastrea were mistaken for Lithostrotion by Prof. 
Owen, U. S. geologist, here in lb49, and again by Prof, Hall in 1857-58. [See Prof. Calvin's 
list of Johnson county fossils further on. J 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 545 

slab or fragment of rock to indicate the character of the underlying 
strata. 

Although it would appear from the general direction of the lines of 
outcrop in this region, so far as they can be ascertained, that rocks of 
Hamilton age predominate over the large surface in Iowa and Benton 
counties, over which no exposures of the strata are visible, still there is 
good reason to believe that there may be considerable patches of carbon- 
iferous strata existing beneath the superficial covering of detritus. These 
may be either the remains of a deposit once spread continuously over a 
large extent of surface, or more probably, limited deposits in pre-exist- 
ing depressions of the Hamilton strata. Near Iowa City, on the left bank 
of the river, is one of these limited patches of rock belonging to the 
coal measures, which appears to have been a deposit over a very small 
space, perhaps in a trough-shaped depression or cavity of the limestone. 
The horizontal extension of the beds which belong to the coal measures 
is very limited, and from their position would appear that they must 
have originally occupied a pre-existing depression in the Hmestone. 

There are also considerable patches of sandstone, which appear to 
belong to the coal measures on the Iowa, near the line between Iowa and 
Johnson counties, forming low bluffs, but not accompanied, as far as has 
yet been ascertained, by any coal or Coal-measure fossils, by which it 
might be possibly assigned to this place in the series. That these patches 
are isolated, and not continuous with the strata of the same age farther 
west, on the borders of Powesheik and Jasper counties, the nearest point 
where the Coal-measures are positively known to exist, cannot be posi- 
tively affirmed, but is rendered probable by the occurrence of the carboni- 
ferous limestone farther up the Iowa, in Tama county. At all events, 
there is little encouragement for explorations for coal in the region in 
question; as even if small deposits of it should be met with, they are 
hardly likely to be of sufficient extent or of a good enough quality to be 
profitably worked. 

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEYORS IN JOHNSON COUNTY. 

In 1839 David Dale Owen, of New Harmony, Indiana, was appointed 
to the then new and by many ridiculed position of United States Geologist, 
under authority of the land office. He had served the State of Indiana 
as state geologist, by appointment of the legislature in 1837; and he was 
the first man who ever engaged in that sort of work as a specialty under 
authority ot the Federal government, although Major Long as early as 
1823, and Lewis and Clark still earlier, and other general explorers, had 
made some casual observations in accordance with the very meager 
knowledge of geology then in vogue. 

In 1839 Prof. Owen surveyed the Mineral Point District of Wisconsin 
and the Dubuque District of Iowa. The grand object aimed 'at by the 
Federal authorities in authorizing the appointment of a national geologist 
was to determine the limits and boundaries and specific locations and 
probable value of certain mineral lands, such as of lead, copper, iron, coal, 
etc.. in the then western wilds, which were still more or less in possession 
of Indian tribes. During his labors in the great lead district of Min- 
eral Point, Wis., Galena, 111., and Dubuque, Iowa, in 1839, he made a short 



546 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

visit to Iowa City, being here in September or October of that year. One 
of his assistants was John Brophy of Clinton, who was afterwards a mem- 
ber of the legislature, but finally went to California. They spent about 
two weeks in Johnson county, and it is remembered that Mr. Brophy 
swapped horses with Philip Clark. This horse-trade interested the set- 
tlers a good deal more than the mysterious business of measuring and 
squinting at rocks; but after all, they don't remember which man " got 
the tail end " of that horse trade. 

Prof. Owen came here again in 1849. Col. Trowbridge was then keep- 
ing a drug store, with other goods besides, and Dr. Morsman had his 
medical office in a room at the back end of the store. Prof. Owen 
arranged to occupy this room as his headquarters, and it was so used in 
June, July, August and September of that year. The geological party 
were constantly making expeditions up and down the Iowa river and 
its most important tributaries, including Cedar river. Hon. Geo. Paul of 
Clear Creek township, who was then a young man, made a trip with 
Prof. Owen in a canoe, from Marengo down to Iowa City. 

Their field instruments not in use were kept stored here; and here was 
written some of that masterful report which was published in 18.52, a 
perpetual monument to the conscientious thoroughness, the clear, deep 
and broad scientific attainments, the plain, terse literary vigor and the artis- 
tic skill of that first United States Geologist. This publication covered 
Owen's entire fieldwork during the years 1847-'48-'49-'50, and Iowa 
City and Johnson county thus claim a share both in the subject matter 
and in the writing of it. 

May ITth of that year (1849) one of his men named Gobert died of 
cholera, at Muscatine. One of the assistant geologists at that time was 
B. C. Macy, cousin to Prof. James S. Macy, now of Iowa College at 
Grinnell, and likewise to Prof W. P. Macy, now of Drake University at 
Des Moines. They gathered in great loads of rocks, and when they went 
away they carried oft' many boxes of fossils, minerals, soils, plants for 
further analysis, microscopic examination, determination of species, etc. 

Prof. Owen's Report was published in a large quarto volume, by Lip- 
pincott, Grambo & Co., of Philadelphia, in 1852. It was a grand sympo- 
sium of scientific zeal, devotion and skill, which has scarcely been excelled 
even for accuracy of knowledge or correctness of theory by any of our 
later explorers; and it was elaborately and beautifully illustrated. From 
this noble work, commencing at its 84th page, we quote all that was said 
of Iowa City and vicinity and also of the Iowa river country, by this first 
live geologist who ever gauged Johnson county's place in the geological 
scale. But first we present a " Chart " which will greatly aid the reader 
in understanding what is meant by the geological scale, and the relative 
place in that scale of the different " ages " of the earth as classified and 
named by geologists: 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 



647 



GEOL,OGICAL, CKAR.T; 



Including the Rock Scale of Geological Periods and the "Zoic Calendar of Creation." Compiled 
from the works of Agassiz, Lyell, Huxley, Hteckel, Daua, LoConte, and other first rank authoritieg la 
Science at the present time. By Hibam A. Reid, Secretary State Academy of Sciences at Dee Moinei, 
Iowa. [Published by permission of the Author.] 



Explanation. — The side line 
at *he left shows what poriions of 
geological time are comprehended 
in the terms "eozoic,''' " paleo- 
zoic," etc . The first column 
shows the pi-riods or "Ages" of 
geological time during which the 
dilTorent successive types of ani- 
mal life predominated, or were the 
higbest types then in existence. 
And these two divisions form the 
"Zoic Calendar of Creation." 

The second column shows the 
great general groupings of rock 
strata, in which are found the fossil 
remains of the corresponding ani- 
mal types named in the first col- 
umn. But. at the "Age of Rep- 
tiles" occurs a grand divergement, 
far it was during this age that an- 
imal life pushed out into its most 
wonderful developments; and 
there came into existence strange 
and marvelous forms of swimming 
reptiles, four-footed and two-foot- 
ed walking reptiles, and two-foot- 
ed and four-footed flying reptiles. 
Here also the true birds began to 
appear, though with reptilian pe- 
culiarities; and likewise the mar- 
supial animals, which are a tran- 
sitional type, between reptiles 
that produce their young by laying 
eggs and the true mammals, that 
bring forth their young well ma- 
tured and then suckle them. 

The third column shows the les 
ser srroupiiigs of rock beds as clas- 
silied by our American geologists ; 
but many minor subdivisions and 
local groups are omitted for want 
of space. At the top of this col- 
umn arc shown the geological pe- 
riods of first appearance ot races 
of man, so far as now aulhentica- 
ted by competent scientific au- 
thorities.* 

The fourth column shows the 
number of feel in tbickness of the 
different groups of rock layers as 
indicatedhy the braces. 

This Chart is the most compre- 
hensive and thorough iu its de- 
tails, and yet the most systemati- 
cally and graphically presented to 
the eye, of anything in its line 
that has ever yet been published. 
Here is the whole story of geol- 
ogy and the ascent of life con- 
densed into the space of a few 
inches, yet so plainly set forth as 
to readily fix itself iu the memory 
like an outline map. Scientific 
terms in aewspapers and maga- 
zines often catch the reader at a 
disadvantage; but a reference to 
this chart will at once show the 
relative place or period in crea- 
tional progress to which the best 
anthorizedgeological terms apply. 
It reaches, like a Jacob's ladder, 
from the lowest inklings to the 
highest ideals of life on the earth, 
as tanght by modem science and 
the Christian Bible. 



THIS CALENDAR IS TO BE READ FROM THE BOTTOM UPWARD. 



AGE OF ANGELS. 



ee Psalms 8:5 Luke 50:36 
Mark 12:25 1 Cor.l5:44 
Heb.2:2to9 ReT.22:S,9 



jSi^@ of 

MAN. 



AGE OF 



MAMMALS 



AGE OF 



Reptiles. 



\< 



Age of 
Amphibians. 



Age OF 
FISHES. 



AGE 

OF 

INVERTEBRATES 



Recent. 



Quaternary. 



TERTIARY. 



Terrace Epoch. 



Champlain Epoch. 



GLACIAL EPOCH. 



Pliocene. 



Miocene. 



Feet In 

thickneti 
o f t h • 
geoloRical 
groups of 
rock form- 
ations. 



500 



8,000 



Eoceue, 




Cretaceous. 



9,000 



JURASSIC. 



t 80( 

\ 1 



800 to 
000 



TRIASSIC. 



Carboniferous 



Devonian. 



Upper Silurian. 



Lower Silnrian. 



AGE OF ZOOLITHS 

' "ThU Age alone was 
probably loDffer in dar»- 
tion than all aabsequent 
eeologfical time." — Pbop. 
LeCONTE. 



wlpriinorfllal Vegetation 



Eozoon Eocls. 



Graphite Beds. 



Coal 



.3,000 to 
, 5,000 



}.b,UUO to 

Measures. ^'♦s™ 



Sub-Carboniferous. 



Catskill. 



Chemung. 



Hamilton. 



Oriskany 



Niagara. 



MetamorpMc Granit«>. 




FIRE CRUST. 



Copyright 1879::H.A.Reid 



350,000,000 years in cooling 
down to 200» F. at the snr- 
face [Prof. Hei.mholti], a 
temperature at which T«ry 

I low forms of vegetation «n 

I exist. 



9,050 to 
^ 14.400 



16,000 to 
10,000 



.12,000to 
15,000 



.10,000to 
20,000 

aotooo 

Cnstntt. 



D*p*k 

lukaswa. 



S *" The existence of Pliocene man in Tuscany Is, then, in my opinion, an acquired scientitic fact.*' — See Appletons' lotermaklonal Scientlfli 
Series. Vol. XXVII, p. 151. " The Miocene man »t La Beauce already knew the ose of fire, and worked flint." — lb. p. 243. See kiso, Pr»f . 
Wincnell'e "Pie-Adamites," pp. 426-7-8, ** The human race in Amenca is soown to be at least of as ancient a date as that of 4he Europe^ 
PUoceae."— Prof. J, D. Whitney. Similar Ttom are held by Brofs. Leldy, iManh, Cop*, Mona, WymaB, and other icIaBtltU of hl(be«t rapat*. 



548 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

PROF. DAVID DALE OWEN's REPORT UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL 

SURVEY, 1849, 

The stone-cutters of Iowa City are supplied from a quarry of cream- 
colored limestone, which lies in thin, even-bedded layers, to the height of 
from thirty to forty feet above Cedar river, in the south part of township, 
eighty-two north, range five west, of the fifth principal meridian. The 
lowest strata, which are the thickest, hardly exceed eight inches. In 
some of the layers, small hemispherical concretions run in the joints of the 
strata, as well as through the substance of the rock itself. The best of 
the slabs approximate in character to lithographic limestone. They are, 
however, of rather too coarse a texture for fine work. The upper strata 
are striped with yellow, obliquely to the bedding. On section 28, town- 
ship 81 north, range 4 west, where the south line of the section strikes the 
river, above Washington Ferry, the rocks are of the same character as at 
the last described quarry, only in rather thicker layers of a yet coarser 
texture. The lowest layers have very much the aspect of the beds 
observed on the west side of Clear Creek. A north and south crevice 
traverses the rock at this place, containing some calcareous spar and fer- 
ruginous clay; but no metallic ores have been discovered, the crevice 
being filled with tumbled wall-rock intermixed with red clay. The strata 
have a southerly dip of 3 *-' . A corresponding wall of rock is also on the 
opposite side of the river, which would form solid natural abutments for 
a bridge. 

A quarter of a mile lower down, near the middle of section 34, of the 
same township and range, below Washington ferry, there is a fine quarry 
of heavy beds of subcrystalline magnesian limestone. This rock, which 
is of the Upper Silurian period, [See Geological chart, on page 547] dips 
southwesterly under the thin-bedded limestones above the ferry. The 
latter appear, from their chemical composition, to belong to the Devonian 
System, although no evidence was derived from organic remains, which 
are very scarce at both localities. Some well-known Devonian iorms are 
however, in the debris of the river near by. 

In Hickory Grove, on the southeast corner of section 34, township 80 
north, range 4 west, of the 5th principal meridian, both magnesian limestone 
and white limestone lie within two yards of each other; the latter con- 
taining ^^/rf/^rr £;«rz^^e/«e5, Gorgonia ret7yorniis {?), and a Stromatopora 
of the same species as that found in the Winnebago Reserve. 

No boulders were found near Cedar river, in townships 79, 80, and 81. 
A few only were noticed in the east part of Johnson county, eight miles 
from Iowa City, near the Dubuque road. 

The inferences to be deducted from the foregoing observations made in 
Iowa on both sides of Cedar river, in Muscatine, Johnson, Cedar and Linn 
counties, are as follows: 

All the rocks, as well those referable to the Upper Silurian, as to the 
Devonian and Carboniferous periods, have been subjected to disturbances 
subsequent to the carboniferous era. These disturbances have been 
chiefly dislocations, through which the strata have been displaced more 
by abrupt vertical depressions and elevations, than by prolonged, arched, 
and waved movements. 

The sub-carboniferous limestone, which forms a zone around the coal- 
measures, and occupies the valley of the Mississippi, between latitude 40 
degrees and 41 degrees, is lost to view, for forty miles beyond latitude 41 
degrees 25 minutes ; re-appearing, however, in Tama county. Even those 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 549 

local beds ot limestone mentioned in my report of 1839, containing reticu- 
lated lamelliferous corals, and Cyathopora lowensis, which it was thought 
might be of that age, prove, on a more minute investigation, to be of a 
type indicative of the period of the Hamilton group of New York. 

The calcareous beds, which constitute a conspicuous feature of the 
lower coal-measures in the Des Moines valley, are not traceable here; the 
base of the carboniferous s\-stem of Muscatine county being arenaceous 
and argi-naceous grits, characterized by different species of Lepidodendron, 
and very large globular concretions. 

The Devonian rocks consist chiefly of close-textured white or gray 
limestones, sometimes brecciated, or of argillaceous limestones, both varie- 
ties containing a much smaller percentage of magnesia than the adjacent 
dolomiiic rocks of upper Silurian date. The farmer are of no great thick- 
ness, probably not exceeding seventy feet. 

Rocks of the loiva River. — On section 10, township 79 north, range 6 
west, of the 5th principal meridian, on the east side of the Iowa river, on 
the town plot of Iowa City, there is a good section of light-coloured, 
brownish-gray limestone, mostly of compact texture, forming a mural 
exposure of from thirt}' to forty-five feet. The lower beds lie in layers of 
from six to fifteen inches thick; the upper are in rugged, concretionary 
masses, very imperfectly stratified, and reticulated with a network of thin, 
siliceous, calcareous, and gypseous seams, and much lighter coloured than 
the beds below them. 

These rocks, but particularly the upper beds, have an interlocking, 
suture-like structure of the joints. Towards the base of the exposure, 
from twentv to thirty feet above the Iowa river, is a bed of brownish 
limestone, mottled with gray, studded with fossil coral of the species 
Fazwsites Gothlandica, [the same specimen often shows both a double and 
single row of pores perforating the partition wall], Favosites folymorfha 
(varieties ramosa and tiiberosa), Favosites jibrosa{ f\ Stromatopoi'a concen- 
irica, S. ■polymor-pha^ Lithostrotioif' -pentag-oniini., L. . ananas^ [the speci- 
mens of Iowa City marble, often seen polished, and called "bird's eye," 
are composed of this species], CyathopJiylhmi jlexiiosuin, C. tiirbinatzimy ?\ 
and others. This bed seems to be the representative of the upper coral- 
line beds of the Falls of Ohio; the corresponding beds at Utica, Indiana; 
the coralline burrstone on the high ground between Madison and Vernon, 
in the same State, and the Onondaga limestone of New York. At this 
locality on the Iowa river, above these coralline beds, one hundred yards 
from the foot of the exposure, is a seam, three inches thick, of an earthy, 
carbonaceous substance, a kind of coal of humus, and adjoining it, a fis- 
sure or rent in the strata, running down nearly vertically, and having a 
southeast bearing; but no kind of metallic ore was detected among the 
crevice earth. A similar substance runs between some of the strata, and 
in the joints of the rock. The " black stratum " included in the upper 
coralline beds of the Falls of Ohio, probably owes its color to an impreg- 
nation with a substance analogous to that found on the Iowa, where it 
exists in a loose, earthy, friable condition, while in Kentucky it is more 
intimately blended with the rock. 

* Besides the two species o{ Lithoatrotion here named by Prof. Owen, he also in another 
place names Lithostrotioit, hpxagonum, but marks it doubtlul. Our present authorities, 
however, classify these fossil corals as Acervularia and Philvpsastrea. Hence it appears that 
Prof. Owen was mistaken on this name; but it is thirty-three years since he was here, and 
many new discoveries and classifications have been made in geology during that time. 

35 



550 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

The rocks at this section on the Iowa have a local northerly dip of 
from two to three feet in a hundred yards, so that in the hollow at the 
head of the exposure, the coralline beds are at a higher level. There 
they can be seen to the depth of ten feet, composed throughout of a com- 
plete agglutination of the various species of coral above mentioned, afford- 
ing evidence that the whole mass must have been an ancient coral reef, 
of greater thickness and extent than is usually seen displayed in the strata 
of the palceozoic period, when the zoophytes did not rear such stupendous 
structures as at the present day; perhaps owing to interruptions from 
change of temperature of the ocean, as well as oscillations of its bed. 
Five feet above the coralline bed is a shell-bed, composed almost entirely 
of Gasteropoda, of the genera Etiom^halus, Mtirchisouia, and Plewoto- 
maria, but being casts [the shelly part is sometimes converted into sul- 
phate of Ume] which do not weather out of the rocks, and which are 
only seen as sections on the fractured face of the bed, it is difficult to 
determine their specific characters. In the concretionary and brecciated 
calcareous portion above, no well-defined fossils were discovered. 

A few rods higher up, a small ravine runs from the high ground 
towards the river, and interrupts the continuity of the strata for the dis- 
tance of about fifty paces. On crossing this hollow a soft brown sandstone sev- 
eral feet thick with vegetable impressions is exposed in a low arch, fifteen 
feet lower than the top of the limestone. This appears to be another out- 
line of coal sandstone so frequently met with in this portion of the Iowa 
river, which by a fault or slip of the beds has sunk into a depression. 
Thirty paces beyond the sandstones, up stream, the white limestone is 
again in place at nearly the same elevation as the sandstones. In the two 
adjacent exposures of limestone there are no intercalations of sandstone. 

About two miles and a half from Iowa City, on section 36, township 80, 
north range 6 west of the 5th principal meridian, a schistose, marly lime- 
stone, about twenty feet thick, is exposed on the east bank of Rapid 
creek opposite Felkner's mill*, surmounted by a decomposing bed from 
which loose corals of the following genera and species have become 
detached and lie scattered on the surface: Lithostrotion hexagomcm{}) 
L. ananas, Cyathophyllnm tiirbmaium, C. ceratites{}\ C. dianthus {?), C. 
vermiculare (?), Cystiphylluni Devoniensis, Chcetetes (species undeter- 
mined), and Favositcs folynwrfha. The beds beneath contain chiefly 
shells of the following species: Terehratiiea reticularis, Orthis restipinaia, 
Spirifer etiruteines, Terebratida concinna{J). 

On the same creek, on section 30, township 80, north range 5 west of 
the 5th principal meridian, sandstone with vegetable impresssions, occurs 
in a similar position with reference to the coraline limestone as near Iowa 

City. . . , 

On section 4, township 79 north, range 6 west, of the 5th pnncipal 

meridian, two or three feet above the level of the Iowa river, limestone is 

found containing coraline beds similar to those near Iowa City, the latter 

extending to the height of from twelve to fifteen feet. 

In ascending the Iowa the above described limestones occur at intervals 

for the distance of about twenty miles by the meanders of the river, and 

twelve to fourteen miles by direct line. 

The principal exposures are as follows: Near the line between sections 

32 and 33, township 80 north, range 6 west, of the 5th principal meridian, 

*Our well-known pioneer, Henry Felkner, had a water-wheel saw-mill here when this 
geological survey was made — 1849. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 551 

on the west side of the river; above and below the mouth of Newcomb's 
creek, on sections 83 and 34, same township and rano-, on both sides of 
the river, havincr a shi^ht westerly dip; on section 27, township 80 north, 
range G west, in a clit^'of about 27 teet, on the left bank, where the strata 
dip 3 or 4 degrees to the south-west. Here some of the beds are full of 
fossil shells, viz: Tcrchratula as-fcra (very abundant), Icrehratula reticu- 
laris (^large variety), Ortliis rcsiifinata, Spiri/cr ciiniteitics: S fir iter with 
a highly extended cardinal area, measuring sometimes live inches from 
angle to angle; Leptcna (sp.?), Phacofs macro-pthalma^ several reticulated 
lamelliferous corals, Cyafhop/iylliw! ccratiies {}\ It is at this localit}' that 
much of the rock used in the construction of the State House has been 
procured. The lower beds are rather schistose, but the upper are more 
solid and substantial, and ma\- be obtained in blocks of from nine inches lo 
two feet. The upper eight feet contain but few fossils. 

On the opposite side of the river, on section 22, same township and 
range, rocky ledges, from thirty to forty feet in thickness, are exposed for 
three-quarters of a mile, with a local northerly dip, containing Spirifer 
euruteines. On section 15, on the left bank, there are 30 feet of regular!}- 
bedded limestone, surmounted by a bench of concretionary limestone. On 
section 10, one bed is charged with Terehretula reticularis, and contains 
also Spirifer euruteines. 

All through townships 80 and 81 north, of range 6 west, of the 5th prin- 
cipal meridian, and as far as section 28, township 81 north, range 7 west, 
wherever the bluffs come up to the river, ledges of limestone of the same 
character and age present themselves, until Xh^y finally terminate in a rug- 
ged buttress of the same concretionary and brecciated mass that forms the 
upper part of the section at Iowa City, the coralline beds being found a 
few hundred yards below, at an elevation of fifty-five feet. 

After passing section 28, township 81 north, range 7 west, low priarie 
sets in, and no rocks are visible for about twelve or fifteen miles, by the 
meanders of the river. On reaching a bend where the stream flows very 
rapidly, near where the line between sections 28 and 29 of township 81 
north, range 8 west, crosses the stream from north to south, a dome- 
shaped mass of sandstone rests on a white sandy clay. The same kind of 
rock IS said to be in place both on section 27 of the same township and 
range, and section 26, township 81 north, range 9 west of the 5th princi- 
pal meridian. These gritstones belong, in all probability, to the carbonif- 
erous group; but no confirmative evidence was derived from organic 
remains. 

After entering township 81 north, range 9 west, the hills recede from the 
river, appearing in the distance mostly as gentle swells of from seventy to 
one hundred feet high, presenting beautiful sites for farms, in connection 
with the rich adjacent bottoms. The latter aflbrd luxuriant meadows, and 
the productive arable land when sufficiently elevated to be above the over- 
flow. On the crests of the hills are, occasionally, a few small erratics, 
siliceous gravel, and small angular masses of chert, but no protruding 
ledges in place. 

Carboniferous Rocks of the lozua River. — After leaving township 81 
north, range 8 west, no rocks were seen in place near the river for about 
fifty miles in a direct line, and nearly double that distance by the river, 
which is very tortuous in its course. The deep alluvial and drift deposits 
effectually conceal the strata on which they rest. It is only from the 
angular fragments of chert occasionally seen strewn on the elevated 



552 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

ground that any clue is obtained to their age; this mineral being most 
prevalent in the west, through the region occupied by the carboniferous 
and sub-carboniferous limestones. It was not, however, until reaching 
the northwestern corner of Tama county, that rocks of the sub-carbonif- 
erous era were seen unequivocally in place. Here, on section 7 or S, town- 
ship S3 north, range 16 west, on the left bank of the Iowa, are bluffs of 
one hundred and twenty-live to one hundred and Hft}- feet of t :lcvriticn,on 
the slope of which both oolitic and encrinital beds of carboniferous lime- 
stone protrude; and where the river crosses the corner of Marshall county, 
the characteristic fossil, Pentremites -pyriformis, was found, along with 
Tercbratida planosiilcata, Spirifer siriatus and Prodtictiis seniireticulattis. 
Here, too, a change can be perceived in the outline of the country; in the 
greater elevation of the hills, in the increased growth of timber, and in 
the stiff, indurated, clayey subsoil. 

In the southeastern part of township 84, range 15 west, on land claimed 
by Mr. Ballard, a thin seam of coal has been discovered, said to be about 
a foot thick, overlaid by shale. In consequence of the sliding of the bank, 
no satisfactory observations could be made, either to determine its true 
elevation above the river, or its thickness. From the specimens found, it 
appears to be of inferior quality, being much impregnated with sulphuret 
of iron. This is no doubt the mineral that has given rise to the reports of 
the existence of copper ore, on this portion of the Iowa; for, on calling on 
Mr. Miller, who, I was informed, had some of the copper ore in his pos- 
session, I was shown a sample of the same kind of pyrites. 

In the detritus of the river, just above the first fork of the Iowa, frag- 
ments of coal are met with in the transported gravel, and below the 
entrance to the "Big Woods," six or seven miles above the forks, bluffs 
of sandstone and a highly ferruginous grit rises to the height of from one 
hundred and forty to one hundred and fifty feet. The latter occupies 
about one-third of the upper portion of the exposure, and contains from 
fifteen to twenty per cent, of oxide of iron, disseminated amongst a fine 
siliceous gravel, which, by pounding and sifting, can be separated from 
each other. Some portion of this ferruginous grit possesses a structure 
approaching to oolite. The lower part of the section is formed of con- 
glomerates of pebbly sandstones, together with grits, having strongly 
marked cross-lines of deposition. Indeed, the rocks of this part of the 
Iowa river assume much the character of the mill-stone grit of the north 
of England, which lies between the Yoredale series, and the coal-meas- 
ures proper. 

The same formation extends for several miles along the river, rising into 
escarpments of sixty or seventy feet, the summits of which are crowned 
with pines, cedars, and other coniferoe. 

Near the termination, on the right bank, where the river makes two 
abrupt bends, a seam of coal shows itself. It hes more after the manner 
of a metallic vein than a bed of coal; this arises, however, either from a 
dislocation, or tilting of the strata, or, more probably, from a slide, by 
which it appears to have been thrown nearly vertically. The confused 
position of the associate beds rather confirms this view. Near the coal is 
a bed of dark limestone, almost black when wet, containing Prodiictus 
semirettctdatiis, Productns cora, a new species of Phidipsia, and an 
Esc/iara. 

The relative order of superposition of coal, limestone, shale, and grit, 
is difficult to determine, by reason of the disturbance above referred to. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 553 

The coal at present lies near the edge of the water, covered with a few 
feet of shale, and nearly on a level with the base of the grit escarpment, 
which is in sight about one or two hundred yards down stream. 

For two or three miles beyond the coal-bank, the hills do not present 
the same abrupt appearance as they do below; soon, however, the Iowa 
sweeps around a great easterly bend, and again washes the base of hills 
of sandstones, more regularly bedded than the corresponding ranges 
below. The oxide of iron is here hot so much disseminated through the 
substance of the rock, but is rather collected in bands, that fill the joints 
and seams of stratification. 

For several mile'* after entering the "Big Woods," the rocks are only 
seen at two localities, not far apart, where a reddish-yellow limestone is 
exposed, a few feet above the water level, while the high ground is com- 
posed chiefly of deposits of sand and clay mixed with drift, and boulders. 
These are the only deposits seen for twelve or fourteen miles. About 
latitude 42 degrees 25 minutes, the carboniferous limestone again makes 
its appearance, at first in a succession of low ledges, ten or fifteen feet 
above the bed of the river, sometimes on one side, and sometimes on the 
other, until finally they form "dalles," thirty to forty feet in elevation, 
between the walls of which the Iowa flows, with a rapid current. The 
limestone which forms the base of the "dalles," is of a light flesh color, 
possesses an imperfect oolitic structure, and contains a small Terebratula, 
allied to T. laticostata. The upper third is composed of magnesian lime- 
stones, which have much the appearance of the magnesian limestone of 
the Dubuque district, but cannot belong to the same period, since they 
form a part of the sub-carboniferous limestone, and con-tain that form of 
Syri)igopora which M. Lesueur named Obstringolina, and which was 
found in that formation in Missouri. About the middle of this range of 
limestone, near a point known as "The Showerbath," the rocks attain 
their greatest elevation, dipping from t ence southerly and northerly as 
much as seven degrees. Numerous chalybeate springs issue from their 
base, depositing an abundant gelatinous hydrated oxide of iron. 

These strata of carboniferous limestone continue, with little interruption, 
to the Falls or Rapids of the Iowa, situated in latitude 42 degrees, 32 
seconds, 22 minutes. Two miles above this, the bluft's rise to the height 
of one hundred and thirty feet. At their base, they are composed of the 
semi-oolitic layers before alluded to; the coal measures proper resting on 
them in the following order of superposition, from above downwards: 

Feet Inches 

1. . . Soil and drift beds not exposed, 9 to 100 

2. .Gray argillaceous schistose limestone, 20 

3 . . Bluish argillo-siliceous shale, , , . 12 to 14 

4 . . Chert layer, 5 

5 . . White siliceous rock, effervescing feebly, 4 to 5 

6 . . White semi-oolitic limestone, 3 

A short distance beyond this section, the underlying limestone rises 

again toward the northwest to the height of twelve or fifteen feet, for a 
distance of four miles, when, at a sudden bend in the river, in latitude 42 
degrees, 31 minutes, 44 seconds, before it enters and meanders through 
the open prairie, the limestone pitches beneath the water level, to the 
northwest, and is overlapped by a mass of dark, bluish gray, argillaceous 
shale. Here fragments of coal occur in the debris, though no regular 
bed seen ; the slide of the argillaceous layers and vegetation may conceal 



554 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

it from view. A quarter of a mile above, the limestone is again in place, 
skirting the bed of the river, and continues in low walls of five to ten feet, 
either on one side or on the other, for four or five miles. The current of 
the stream becomes sluggish as it traverses low, flat land, the banks being 
usually only four or five feet above the river, and, these are not above 
five feet in elevation. 

After leaving the last limestone exposure, we continued to ascend the 
Iowa for fifteen or twenty miles, when we finally arrived at a barren 
region of drift knolls stretching away as far as the eye can reach, desti- 
tute of timber, except a narrow belt skirting the Iowa river. The hollows 
below the drift knolls are wet and marshy, and the summit of the hills 
strewn with a thin, poor soil, that only supports a second growth of stunt- 
ed herbage. 

The corps whose duty it was to explore, in 1848, the southern and west- 
ern tributaries of the St. Peter's river, observed towards the heads of the 
Mankato and Lesueur rivers, a country of the same character which we 
encountered high up on the Iowa. It was hence inferred, that these bar- 
ren drift knolls extend beyond the northern boundary of Iowa, covering 
the whole water-shed that gives rise to these streams, as well as to the 
Iowa and Red Cedar rivers. Seeing, therefore, no object to be attained 
by farther advance up the Iowa, and finding that our stores of provisions 
were barely sufficient to carry us back to the settlements, I determined to 
return after making the astronomical observations necessary to determine 
our position, which was found to be in latitude 42 degrees, 39 minutes, 06 
seconds. 

There remains to be said, in this place, only a few words with regard to 
the extreme branches of Red Cedar, viz.: Beaver and Otter creeks, which 
were explored by Mr. Macy, with a view to ascertain the precise eastern 
boundary of the carboniferous rocks on the Iowa river. 

On account of the low, wet country bordering these streams, it was only 
at a few points that the rocks were visible, and these only in low ledges, 
near the water level, or in partial protrusions from under the mass of drift 
in the higher ground. 

Mr. Macy succeeded, however, in detecting, in a ridge about five miles 
north of Otter creek, a flesh-colored limestone, containing that variety of 
Leptacna deprcssa of Dalman, which occurs in the corniferous limestone 
of New York, and is known there under the name Stropliomena iindida- 
tus. At a higher level in the same ridge a bufl'-colored magnesian lime- 
stone was observed, in which no fossils were discovered, but which pos- 
sesses the lithological character of the dolomitic beds of the carboniferous 
limestones found near the Iowa, a few miles below the rapids, near lati- 
tude 42 degrees, 30 minutes. Thus, the dividing ridge between the head 
waters of the extreme western branches of the Red Cedar river (Otter 
Creek and Elk Fork), is probably the boundary between the limestones 
of the Devonian and Carboniferous Eras." 

PROP\ AGASSIZ AT IOWA CITY. 

During the summer of 1800, the emment professor of Zoology in Har- 
vard University, Prof. Louis x^gassiz, made a visit to Iowa City, and here 
for the first time in his lite saw coral beds of the Devonian age of geology. 
(See geological chart on page 547.) This circumstance rendered the event 
of his visit here one of note and interest to the whole scientific world, and 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 555 

permanently fixed Iowa city in the directories of science as one of the 
marked localities where rare and important fossil specimens could readily 
be collected. Mrs. Agassiz, who was a lady of fine culture, a sci- 
entist herself, and yet a plain-hearted, motherly woman, was with her 
husband on this occasion; in fact he rarely went anywhere without her. 
They came to Iowa City as guests of Prof. T. S. Parvin; and Newton 
Parvin, who was then a mere lad, remembers how they all went out fossil- 
gathering. The first place they came to, where many specimens were 
found was just where the filter chamber of the city waterworks is now 
built, at the upper end of Madison street. Here Prof. Agassiz ran about 
just like a little boy under a windfall apple tree, picking up everything he 
saw that had fossil marks on it; and when he had collected a pile as big 
as a half-bushel measure, he called out, " Here, mother, we must take all 
these home with us." Prof Parvin laughed, and said, " O, we'll find 
plenty of nicer ones than those." The party went on for a mile or 
two along the river bank, and among the stone quarries; and Agassiz 
was so delighted and enthusiastic about the rich finds of fossils that every 
time they stopped he would hurry around and gather a new pile of speci- 
mens, and say, " Now, mother, we must take all these home." All of his 
piles would have made a lumber wagon load; but he was gratified by the 
choicest specimens being picked out and carried along for further study. 
That same evening he delivered a lecture on the very matters over 
which he had been so much elated during the day; and in regard to this 
historic event we quote the report published in the State Press at the 
time, as follows: 

PROF. AGASSIZ AND HIS LECTURE. 

On Wednesday evening last the people of Iowa City were afforded the 
rare opportunity of hearing that profound student of science and cele- 
brated naturalist, Professor Agassiz. At an early hour the University 
chapel was filled with an intelligent and appreciative audience. After 
vocal music by a choir composed of young ladies and gentlemen, students 
of the University, the lecturer was introduced by Dr. O. M. Spencer. He 
surprised the greater portion of the audience by announcing the subject 
of the lecture to be "The Coral Reefs of Iowa City," most persons hav- 
ing associated coral with the sea, and never thought that the earth on 
which we now dwell was once, during the infinity of the past, submerged 
by the waters. 

The lecturer at once proceeded to his subject with the familiarity of 
manner as though he were about to instruct a class. His lecture through- 
out was illustrated by the use of the blackboard. He said it had afforded 
him much pleasure to have the opportunity of visiting this locality and 
observing for himself the coral formations of which he had heard in the 
east,' and fully satisfying himself with regard to the geological character 
of this country. He explained the process of coral growth by reference 
to the reefs on the coast of Florida, fully described the structure and 
functions of the coral animal, and explained the manner in which these 
little creatures extract the calcareous portion of the sea-water; how the 



556 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

new polyps appear in the form of a bud on the side of the first individual, 
and how their additions continue to be made until twelve millions of them 
have been known to exist in a single cluster. Coral is the strong frame 
which belongs to these animals as a skeleton belongs to individuals of the 
higher orders of animals, being formed by the involuntary secretion of cal- 
careous matter. He explained how the great coral reefs were formed by 
the successive growth of Astreas, Madrepores, Meandrinas, etc., and 
their solidification, in process of time, occasioned by the constantly increas- 
ing pressure, into a substance differing in no essential particular from the 
strata of limestone spread over the western states, as well as the other 
different characteristics that are impressed on these formations by the 
different conditions in which they exist depending on temperature and 
pressure. 

The American continent, instead of being the "new world," was really 
much older than any part of the eastern hemisphere, an original continen- 
tal form having appeared much earlier along the line of the great lakes, 
extending east and west, and with this as a basis, the coral animals had 
for ages lived, died, and solidified until this gradual process had formed 
the vast continent on which we live. The next projection above the 
water was the Alleghany mountains, extending through the eastern 
portion of the continent. Here, in the vicinity of our city, the evi- 
dence of coal formation were found in perfection. We do not pretend 
to give even an outline ot the lecture, but merely to indicate to our read- 
ers something of the course pursued in the treatment of this, to most of 
us, very novel subject. The lecturer cannot be said to be eloquent, his 
oratory being altogether of the conversational and instructive style. That 
he is a profound master of natural sciences there can be no doubt, and has 
the peculiar faculty of making everything so plain that all who hear him 
wonder that they had not known the same things long ago, and that they 
were not capable of elucidating them as well as the distinguished scholar 
to whom they listened. 

After the lecture, Prof. Agassiz was handsomely entertained by Prof. 
T. S. Parvin at his residence, where the facutly of the University, and 
a few invited guests, had an opportunity to become personally acquainted 
with him, and to learn something of the true power of his mind from 
private conversation. 

On Thursday morning he delivered a lecture on the subject of the 
"Glaciers" to the students and faculty of the University, in which his 
vast knowledge of the transformations and changes the earth has under- 
gone, was fully displayed. He described the process by which ice is 
formed, and explained the difference in the formation of ice from water 
and from snow — described the immense glaciers he has examined in 
Europe, one of which he had measured with a line to the deapth of 1,000 
feet — explained the causes by which these immense masses of ice are put 
in motion, and the eflects produced upon the 'country over which thev 
move. He said that the evidences of a " glacier " having passed over any 
portion of the earth's surface were palpable to every geologist, and as 
easily distinguished as a silver coin is distinguished from a copper penny. 
These indications are the deposits of " drifts," or loose stones upon the 
surface, and the polished appearence of the stones and rocks. All parts 
of Europe bear evidences of having at one time been under immense loads 
of moving ice, and the lecturer accounted for the boulders and smooth 



n 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 557 

Stones that are scattered over our prairies on the hypothesis that immense 
iceburgs had once moved down from the north over the country. 

FOSSILS OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

The Department of Natural Science in the State University, which is in 
charge of Prof. Calvin, is well supplied with representative fossils of the 
different geological |ages, from all parts of Iowa and many of the more 
important fossil beds of the United States, and some foreign countries. 
Iowa City has not only a national but a world-wide name in scientific cir- 
cles, from the fact that Prof. Agassiz here first saw fossil corals of the 
Devonian age in situ — that is, undisturbed, lying in their place and posi- 
tion just as they grew, during that far remote period of geological time; 
[see geological chart on page 547] ; and also from the fact that specimens 
of rare interest to students of paleontology are so easily obtained here. 
Prof. Calvin's collection is of course especially rich and full in specimens 
from the fossil beds of Johnson county; and he has very kindly furnished, 
for this work, a complete list of them, which has not before been pub- 
lished anywhere. There are now known to be at least twenty species of 
Iowa fossils unpublished — some of them entirely new to science; and 
doubtless many more will be discovered, for Iowa has as yet done less for 
geological science than even Minnesota, Missouri, or Kansas. All of her 
geological surveys have been cramped, and stinted, and hurried, from lack 
of funds. 



FOSSILS OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

LIST PREPARED BY 
PROF. SAMUEL CALVIN, A. M., 

PROPE880R OP NATURAL SCIENCE IN THE IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY. 

With the exception of a few species of coal plants found in the small 
outlier of carboniferous sandstone near Terrill's Mill, the fossils of Johnson 
county are largely the common species that characterize the Devon- 
ian limestones everywhere in the west. 

The following Devonian species have been recognized: 

CLASS, PROTOZOA. — ORDER, SPONGIDA. 

{F'ossil Sponges.) 

Astreaspongia hamiltonensis. Meek and Worthen. 

Idiostroma gordiaceum, Winchell. 

Ccenostroma pustulifera, Winchell. 

Csenostroma monticulifera, Winchell. 

Casnostroma (undescribed species.) 

Stromatopora polymorpha* (?) and other species. 

*8tromatopra grew in a body of layers like a pile of inverted dishes, commencing with 
a very small one in the center at the bottom and gradually increasing upward and outward. 
CeBiiostroma pustulifera is compossed of layers dotted with little pustule-like elevations on 



558 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

CLASS, CCELENTERATA. — ORDER, RUGOSA. 

Acervularia davidsoni, Edwards & Haime. 
Acervularia profunda, Hall. 
Phillipsastrea gigas,* Owen. 
Diphyphyllum archiaci, Billings. 
Cyathophyllum, robustum, Hall. 
Cystiphvllum americanum, Edwards and Haime. 
Cystiphyllum conifollis, Hall. 
Chonophylluni macrnificum, Rominger(?) 
Cyathophyllum-j- (undescribed species). 
AuloLophyllum sulcatum, Edwards and Haime. 

ORDER TABULATA. 

Favosites :{; emmonsi, Rominger. 

Favosites hamiltonensis, Rom. 

Favosites hemispherica, Yandell & Shumard, Var. 

Favosites limitaris, Rom. 

Favosites digitatus, Rom. 

Favosites placenta, Rom. 

Alveolites goldfussi, Billings. 

Striatopora iowensis, Owen. 

Striatopora rugosa, Hall. 

Syringopora nobilis, Billings. 

Aulopora (two or three species.) 

Monticulipora monticola, White. 

CLASS, ECHINODERMATA — ORDER, CRINOIDEA.** 

Strobilocystites calvini. White. 
Strobilocystites polleyi, (new species), Calvin. 
Nucleocrinus angularis, Lyon. 
Nucleocrinus, (new species). 

one side and a corresponding pit on the other side vvliere the pustule on the next layer 
below fitted up into it. ^ G. monticulifera is what the Iowa C'ity marble cutters call "wave;" 
its wavy lines look somewhat lixe an outline map of a range of monticles, or hillocks — 
hence the scientific name given to it. — H. A. R. 

*The difi'erent species of Acervulnrid and Phillipsastrea are what the marble workers and 
people of Iowa City call "birds-eye" marble. — H. A. R. 

f Some varieties of Cydthophyllum are calyx-shaped, or cup-like, having a depression io 
the larcre end and th(;ii tapering to a point like a horn tip, and usually somewliat curvedi. 
They have been called and believed to be petrified buflalo calf's horns, by unlearned 
people. — H. A. R. 

I The different species of Favosites form the kind of stone commonly called "fish egg" 
marble; but it is an entirely diflerent product from the true fish-egg or oolite marble, 
which is not found hen; at all. Favosites means "honey comb stone," and all of those 
specimens which loi,k like petrified honey comb belong to this genus. — H. A. R. 

**The crinoids grew on a jointed stem, which had roots like a plant in the sea lx)ttom 
mud, and sui)ported a head with arms that grew out from the common center and turned' 
up; these arms bore a fringe of vibratile cilia, which makes a well preserved fossil speci- 
men look like one side of a quill feather. The stem shows an annulated or ring joint 
structure which leads to their being often called petrified worms. But they belong to that 
great group of radiate animals which includes also the star fishes,— -H. A. R. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 559 

Megistocrinus farnsworthi, White. 
Melocrinus solonensis''' (new species). 

CLASS, MOI.LUSCAf — ORDER, BRACHIOPODA. 

Strophodonta erratica, Winchell. 

Strophodonta demissa, Conrad. 

Streptorhynchus chemungensis, Conrad. 

Orthis iowensis, Hall. 

Chonetes lineata, Vanuxem. 

Chonetes scitula, Hall. 

Productella dissimilis, Hall. 

Productella subalata, Hall. 

Spirifera parryana. Hall 

Spirifera pennata, Owen, 

Spirifera whitneyi, Hall. 

Spirifera aspera, Hall. 

Spirifera subvaricosa, Hall and Whitfield. 

Spirifera fimbriata, Conrad. 

C3'rtina hamiltonensis. Hall. 

Athyris vittata, Hall. 

Atrypa reticularis, Linn^etus, 

Atrypa aspera, var. occidentalis. Hall. 

Gypidula occidentalis, Hall 

Gypidula htviuscula, Hall. 

Pentamerella dubia, Hall. 

Pentamerella micula, Hall. 

Rhynchonella intermedia, Barris. 

Leiorhynchus altus, Calvin. 

Terebratula romingeri. Hall 

Terebratula linkkeni, Hall. 

Tropidoleptus carinatus, Conrad. 

Tropidoleptus occidens. Hall. 

ORDER, LAMELLIBRANCHIATA. 

Casts of these two-valved mollusks are not uncommon, but the preser- 
vation is usually such as to make it impossible to identify them. 

ORDER, GASTEROPODA. 

Platyceras, (four or five undescribed species). 
Euomphalus cyclostomus. Hall. 
Tentacutites hoyti. White. 



* This new species was first found at Solon, in Big Grove township, and hence was so 
named by Prof. Calvin.— H. A. R. 

f Mollusks are the great variety of so-called shell fish. The shell rock of which the Uni- 
versity central hall is l)uilt, and which is extensively used for curb stones and other pur- 
poses throughout Iowa City, is almost entirely composed of the shells of different species 
of mollusks. ---H. A. K. 



560 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

ORDER, CEPHALOPODA. 

Casts of chambered shells belonging to the genera Orthoceras^ Goniph- 
oceras and Gyroceras are quite common in some localities. 

CLASS, ARTICULATA- -ORDER, CRUSTACEA. 

( Trilobites.y''' 

CLASS, VERTEBRATA — ORDER, FISHES. 

Dermal plates of the curious fish Dinichthys^ and teeth and fin spines 
of Devonian sharks, are sparingly distributed through all the rocks of 
the county. 

Of the Carboniferous fossils only two have been identified, and these 
only generically. 

Calamites. 

Lepidodendron. 

The two species of Strobilocystites are represented in my collection 
by three specimens, and it is interesting to note that, so far as known, 
these are the only specimens of Devonian Cystideans that have ever been 
collected. The type is usually regarded as having become extinct in the 
Upper Silurian; but, in this particular locality, at least, Cystideans per- 
sisted as late as the middle of the Devonian age. 

The Strobilocystites calvini was described by Dr. C. A. White in the 
publications of the Philadelphia Academy of Science, for 1876. The S. 
folleyi differs from it in being larger, more globose, and in having the 
surface ornamented with minute irregular, vermicular furrows instead of 
the papillae that characterizes the S. calvini. The arm grooves of S. 
polleyi do not reach more than half way to the base. 

Prof. D. D. Owen describes a number of species of fossils from this 
locality, but I have not been able to identify them all. It is very probable 
that his Chonetes iowensis is identical with Chonetes scitula, of Hall, but 
his drawing and description are so imperfect as to make it impossible to 
determine the fact with absolute certainty. Others of Owen's species 
doubtless pass under names assigned to them by more recent workers. 

* The trilobites were a sort of three-lobed cross between a worm and a crayfish. There 
were scores of different species of them in the ancient seas, but only one kind has yet been 
foimd in Johnson county. — H. A. R. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 561 

CHAPTER IX.— PART 3. 



NATURAL HISTORY. 

A Lesson iu Zoology. — Mr. Shimek's Report — Lists of Beasts, Birds, Reptiles, Fishes. — 
Native Animals. — Bear and Wolf Stories. — Wolf Scalp Bounties. — The Game Law. — 
Game and Fish Interests. 

A LESSON IN ZOOLOGY. 

Bohumil Shimek, a student in the State University, class of 1883, has 
made a special study of the zoolog}^ and botany of Johnson county. An 
additional interest attaches to Mr. Shimek's work from the fact that he is 
himself one of the "native animals" of Johnson count}^, having been born 
in Jefferson township, June 25, 1801, of Bohemian parentage. He took 
the full college course in natural science, and kept the laboratory well 
supplied with live frogs, for illustrative experiments on muscle and nerve 
action. His expertness in catching frogs by hand led his class-mates to 
perpetrate the joke that Shimek was a Frenchman, and would never 
starve to death as long as there was a wild frog loose in the country. Mr. 
Shimek stands very high in the esteem and confidence of Prof. Calvin, as 
a diligent, careful, thorough going and zealous student of science; and it 
is pleasant to record that the best study yet made of the zoology of John- 
son county has been by one of her own sons. 



MR. SHIMEK'S REPORT. 

LIST OF MAMMALS. 

1. Felis concolor (L.) — American panther or cougar. 

2. Lynx rufus, (Gul.) — American wild-cat or lynx. 

3. Canis lupus, (L.) — Common wolf. The "timber" and "prairie" 
wolves are zoologically the same. 

4. Vulpes vulgaris (Flem.) — Red fox, very variable; known by the fol- 
lowing other names: Cross fox, black fox. 

5. Putorius vulgaris, (Cuv.) — Least weasel; usually white in winter. 

6. Putorius ermineus, (Cuv.) — Common weasel ; white in winter. 

7. Putorius vison, (Gap.) — Common mink; quite frequently met with. 

8. Taxidea americana, (Bd.) — American badger. 

9. Mephitis mephitica, (Bd.) — Common skunk; plenty. 

10. Lutra canadensis, (Sab.) — American Otter. 

11. Ursus americanus, (Pallas.) — Bear. 

12. Procyon lotor, (Ston.) — Common raccoon. This species was 
formerly abundant, but as the heavy timber is being cut away, it is becom- 
ing rarer. They can be seen most easily in early spring, during the "love" 
season ; at this time the males become very fierce, and are more likely to 
show "fight" than at other times. 

13. Cariacus virginianus, (Gray.) — Red deer; formerly abundant. My 



562 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

father, who came to the countr}- in 1856 and settled in Jefferson township, 
used to tell of deer that he had seen in Hutchin's grove. [Mr. Shimek 
omits the elk — (Cervus canadensis) — individuals and herds of which were 
occasionally seen by the early settlers in Johnson county.] — Editor. 

14. Vespertilio subulatus, (Say.) — Little brown bat; very common. 
Probabl}' Hvo other species of vespertilio are found in the county. 

15. Atalapha noveboracensis, (Coues.) — Red bat. 

16. Scalops argentatus (Aud. & Bach.) — Silvery mole or prairie mole. 

17. Blarina brevicauda, (^Bd.) — Mole shrew, or short-tailed shrew; a 
small, insignificant species. 

18. Sciuropterus volucella, (Geoff'.) — Common flying squirrel; abun- 
dant. 

19. Sciurus niger (Linn.) — Fox squirrel; common. 

20. Sciurus carolinensis, (Aud.) — Gray squirrel, orj black squirrel 
This species varies from a grizzly yellowish gray to pure jet-black; the 
jet-black form is very rare here. 

21. Tamias striatus, (Bd.) — Chipmunk, or ground squirrels; very com- 
mon in the timber, and along hedge and fence-rows. 

22. Spermophilus tridecemlineatus, (Aud, & Bach.) — Striped gopher, 
or thirteen-lined spermophiles. 

23. Spermophilus franklini, (Rich.)— Gray gopher; these two species 
of gopher are found in fields and on the prairies. They are a great nuis- 
ance to farmers, destroying much corn. 

24. Arctomys monax, (Gmel.) — Woodchuck, or ground-hog; formerly 
quite common, now rather rare. 

25. Castor fiber, (L.) — Beaver; this species has become extinct in 
the last few years. Two specimens now in the University were captured 
about ten years ago. 

26. Geomys bursarius, (Rich.) — Pouched gopher, pocket gopher; a 
farmers' pest. 

27. Zapus hudsonius, (Coues.) — Jumping mouse; small, mouse-like. 
Remarkable for its jumping powers. 

28. Arvicola riparius, (Ord.) — Meadow mouse. 

29. Arvicola pinetorum, (Le C.) — Pine mouse; one specimen taken. 
There are probably three or four more species of the mouse-kind, but I 
have not sufficient data at hand to give a record. 

30. Fiber zibethicus, (Cuv.) — Muskrat; very common. 

31. Lepus sylvaticus, (Bach.) — Common rabbit; very common. 

32. Didelphys virginiana, (Shaw.) — Opossum. 

Of the above list, numbers 1, 2, 4, 8, 10, 11, 13, 25 and 32, are no longer 
found in the county. 

BIRDS. 

1. Turdus migratorius, (L.) — Robin. 

2. " mustelinus, (Gm.) — Wood thrush; a fine singer. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 563 

3. Turdus pallasi, (Cab.) — Hermit thrush. 

4. " swainsoni, (Cab.) — Olive-backed thrush. 

5. Mitnus carolinensis, (Gm.) — Cat-bird; an exquisite songster, 
although its common note is harsh. 

6. Harporhynchus rufus, (L.) Cab. — Brown thrush; a fine songster. 

7. Sialia sialis, (L.) Hold. Blue-bird. 

S. Regulus calendula, (L.) Licht. — Ruby-crowned kinglet. 
9. " satrapa, (Licht. — Golden-crested kinglet. 

10. Polioptila c^rulea, (L.) Scl. — Blue-gray gnatcatcher. 

11. Parus atricapillus, (L.) — Chickadee, or black-capped titmouse. 

12. Sitta carolinensis, (Gm.) — White-bellied nuthatch. 

13. " canadensis, (L.) — Red-bellied nuthatch. 

14. Certhia familiaris, (L.) — Brown creeper. 

15. Troglodytes aedon, (V.) — House wren. 

16. Anorthura troglodytes, (L.) Cs. var. hyemalis (Wils.) Cs. — Win- 
ter wren. 

17. Cistothorus stellaris, (Licht.) Cab. — Short-billed marsh wren. 

18. Eremophila alpestris, (Forst) Boie. — Horned lark, or shore-lark; 
sometimes also called sky-lark. 

19. Mniotilta varia, (L.) V. — Black and white creeper. 

20. Parula americana, (L.) Jor. — Blue yellow-backed warbler. 

21. Protonotaria citraea, (Bodd.) Bd. — Prothonotary warbler. 

22. Dendroeca restive (Gm) Bd. — Summer warbler; yellow-bird. 
:23. " coronata (L.) Gr. — Yellow-rumped warbler. 

24. " blackburni^, (Gm.) Bd. — Blackburnian warbler. 

25. " castanea, (Wils.) Bd. — Bay-breasted warbler. 

26. " pennsylvanica, (L.) Bd. — Chestnut-sided warbler. 

27. " palmarum, (Gm.)Bd. — Yellow red-poll warbler. 

28. " virens, (Gm.) Bd. — Black-throated green warbler. 

Probably other Dendnrca occur. 

29. Seinrus anrocapillus, (L.) Sw. — Golden-crowned thrush. 

30. " noveboracensis, (Gm.) Nutt. — Water wagtail, or water 

thrush. 

31. " ludovi cianus, (V.) Bp. — Large-billed water thrush. 

32. Geothlypis trichas, (L.) Cab. — Maryland yellow-throat. 

33. Icteria virens, (L.) Bd. — Yellow-breasted chat. 

34. Myiodioctes pusillus, (Wils) Bp. — Green black-capped flycatcher. 

35. Myiodioctes canadensis, (L.) Aud. — Canadian fly catcher. 
Z^. Setophaga ruticilla, (L.) Sw. — Redstart. 

37. Pyranga rubra, (L.) V. — Scarlet tanager. 

38. Hirundo horreorum, (Barton) — Barn swallow. 

39. Tachycineta bicolor, (^V.) Cs. — White-bellied swallow. 

40. Petrochelidon lunifrons, (Say.) Cab. — Cliff" swallow, or eave swal 
low. 



564 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

41. Cotyle riparia, (L.) Boie. — Bank swallow or sand martin. 

42. Stelgidopteryx serripennis, (Aud) Bd. — Rough-winged swallow. 

43. Progne purpurea (L,.) Boie. — Purple martin. 

44. Ampelis garrulus, (L.) Bohemian waxwing. These beautiful birds 
visit us in flocks during the winter. 

45. Ampelis cedrorum, (V.) Bd. — Cedar-bird, waxwing, or cherry-bir d 

46. Vireo olivaceus, (L.) V. — Red-eyed vireo. 

47. " gilvus, (V.) Bp. — Warbling vireo. 

48. " flavifrons, (V.) — Yellow-throated vireo. 

49. " solitarius, (V.) — Solitary vireo. 

50. " belli, (Aud.)— Bell's vireo 

51. Collurio borealis, (V.) Bd. — Butcherbird or great northern shrike.. 

52. Collurio ludovicianus, (L.) Bd.--var. excubitoroides (Sw.) Co. — 
White-rumped shrike. 

53. Carpodacus purpureus, (Gm.) Gr. — Purple finch. 

54. Loxia leucoptera (Gmel) — White-winged cross-bill. 

55. Aegiothus linaria, (L.) Cab.-- Red-poll linnett. 

56. Chrysomitris tristis, (L.) Bp. — American gold finch. 

57. Plectrophanes nivalis, (L.) Mey. — Snow bunting. 

58. Passerculus savanna, (Wils) Bp. — Savanna sparrow. 

59. Pooecetes gramineus, (Gm.) Bd. — Bay-winged bunting or grass 
finch. 

60. Coturniculus passerinus, (Wils.) Bp. — Yellow-winged sparrow. 

61. Melospiza palustris, (Wils) Bd. — Swamp sparrow. 

62. Melospiza melodia, (Wils) Bd. — Song sparrow. 

63. Junco hyemalis, (L.) Scl. — Snowbird. 

64. Spizella monticola, (Gm.) Bd. — Tree sparrow. • 

65. " socialis, (^Wils) Bp.— Chipping sparrow. 

66. " pusilla, (Wils) Bp. — Field sparrow. 

67. Zonotrichia albicollis, (Gm.) Bp. — White-throated sparrow. 

68. Zonotrichia leucophrys, (Forst) Sw. — White-crowned sparrow. 

69. Choudestes grammaca, (Say.) Bp. — Lark finch. 

70. Passer domesticus, (Linn) — ^English sparrow. This pestiferous, 
pugnacious little rascal introduced himself probably from some of our 
eastern neighbors, Already one can notice in the University campus a 
wonderful dearth of other birds, while this little pest is seen every where- 
They will drive out the blue bird, robin and other common useful birds. 

71. Passerella iliaca, (Sw.) — Fox sparrow. 

72. Euspiza americana, (Gm.)Bp. — Black-throated bunting. 

73. Goniaphea ludoviciana, (L.) Bowd. — Heart-bird or rose-breasted 
grosbeak. 

74. Cyanospiza cyanea, (L.) Bd. — Indigo-bird. 

75. Cardinalis virginianus (Briss) Bp. — Cardinal redbird. Severa 
have been seen, but it is possible that they were escaped cage birds. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 565 

76. Pipilo erythrophthalmus, (L.) V. — Towhee bunting; chewink. 

77. Dolichonyx oryzivorus,(L.) Sw.— Bobolink, reed-bird or rice-bird. 

78. Molothrus ater, (Gm.) Gr. — Cowbird. This bird, like the Euro- 
pean cuckoo, deposits its eggs in the nests of other birds. 

79. Agelgeus phoeniceus (L.) V. — Red-winged blackbird. 

80. Xanthocephalus icterocephalus, (Bp.), Bd .- — ^Yellow-headed black- 
bird. 

81. Sturnella magna, (L.) Sw. — Meadow lark. 

82. Icterus spurius (L.) Bp. — Orchardoriole. 

83. Icterus baltimore, (L.) D. — Baltimore oriole. 

84. Quiscalus purpureus, (Licht.) — Purple grackle, or crow blackbird. 

85. Corvus americanus, (Aud.) — Crow^ 

86. Cvanurus cristatus, (L.) Sw. — Blue Jav. 

87. Tyrannus carolinensis, (L.) Bd. — King bird; bee martin. 

87. Myiarchus crinitus, (L.) Cab. — Great crested Flycatcher, This 
bird almost invariably has a cast-off snake's skin interwoven in its nest. 

89. Sa3^ornis fuscus, (Gm.) Bd, — Pewee. 

90. Contopus virens, (L.) Cab. — Wood Pewee, 

91. Empidonax trailli, (Aud.) Bd, — Traill's fly catcher. 

92. Empidonax minimus, (Bd.) — Least fly catcher. 

93. Antrostomus vocif'erus (Wils.) Bp, — Whipporwill, 

94. Chordeiles virginianus, (Briss.) Bp, — Night-hawk. This bird, 
which is usually seen flying about, at a considerable hight, at dusk, is com- 
monly mistaken for the Whipporwill, 

95. Chajtura pelasgia, (L,) — Chimney swift, 

96. Trochilus colubris, (L.) — Ruby-throated humming-bird. 
96. Ceryle alcyon, (L.) Boie. — King-fisher, 

98. Coccygus erythrophthalmus, (Wils.) Bd. — Black-billed cuckoo, 

99. Cocc3'gus americanus (L.) Bp. — Yellow-ebllied cuckoo. 

100. Picus villosus, (L.) — Hairy woodpecker. 

101. Picus pubesceus (L.) — Lowny woodpecker. 

102. Sphyrapicus varius, (L.) Bd.— Yellow-bellied woodpecker. 

103. Centurus carolinus, (L.) Bp, — Red-bellied woodpecker. 

104. Melanerpes erythrocephalus, (L.) Sw. — -Red-headed woodpecker. 

105. Colaptes auratus, (L.) Sw, — Flicker, or golden-winged wood- 
pecker, 

106. Bubo virginianus (Gm,) Bp, — Great horned owl. 

107. Scops asio (L.) Bp. — Screech owl. 

108. Otus vulgaris (L,) var. wilsonianus, (Less) — Long-eared owl. 

109. Brachyotus palustris (Anct.) — Short-eared owl. 

110. Syrnium nebulosum, (Forst.) Gm. — Barred owl. 

111. Nyctea nivea (Dawd) Gr. — Snowy owl. Occurs rarely, only 
during severe winters. 

36 



566 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

112. Circus cyaneus (L.) var. hudsonius (L.) Cs, — Marsh hawk. 

113. Nauclerus furcatus (L.) Vig. — Swallow-tailed kite. 

114. Accipiter fuscus, (Gm.) Bp. — Sharp-shinned hawk. 

115. Accipiter cooperi (Bp.) — Cooper's hawk. 

116. Astur atricapillus (Wils.) Bp. — Goshawk. 

117. Falco columbarius (L.) — Pigeon hawk. 

118. Falco sparverius (L.) — Sparrow hawk. 

119. Buteo borealis (Gm.) V. — Red-tailed buzzard or hen hawk. 

120. Beuto lineatus (Gm.) — Red-shouldered buzzard. 

121. Beuto pennsylvanicus (Wils.) Bp. — Broad- winged buzzard. 

122. Beuto swainsoni (Bp.) — Swainson's bzzard. 

123. Pandion halietus, (L.) Sav. — Fish-hawk; osprey; fish eagle. 

124. Aquila chrysaetus, (L.) — Golden eagle. 

125. Halietus leucocephalus (L.) Sav.— Bald eagle or white-headed 
eagle. This is the emblem of our country. Both of the last two speci- 
mens occur quite frequently. 

126. Cathartes aura (L.) 111. — Turkey buzzard. 

127. Ectopistes Tnigratorius (L.) Sw.— Wild pigeons. 

128. Zenasdura carolinensis (L.) Bp. — Mourning dove, or Carolina 
dove; sometimes wrongly called turtle dove. 

129. Meleagris gallopavo, (L.) — Wild turkey. These were formerly 
common, and a few may still be found in heavy timber. I saw three last 
fall in the heavy timber eight miles north of Iowa City. 

130. Cupidonia cupido (L.) Bd. — Prairie hen or pinnated grouse. 

131. Bonasa umbellus (L.) (Steph.) — Variously called rufTed grouse, 
partridge, and pheasant. The two last are wrong. 

132. Ort3^x virginianus, (L.) Bp. — Quail, bob-white, Virginia partridge. 

133. Aegialitis vociferus, (L.) Cass. — Kildeer plover. 

134. Philohela minor (Gm.) Gray. — Woodcock. 

135. Gallinago wilsoni, (Bd.)- -American snipe; Wilson's snipe. 

136. Ereuntes pusillus, (L.) Cass. — Peep, or Semipalmated sand-piper. 

137. Tringa minutilla (Vieill). — Least sand piper. 

138. Tringa maculata (Vieill) — Jack snipe, grass snipe, pectoral snipe. 

139. Totanus semipalmatus (Gm.) — Willet, semipalmated plover. 

140. Totanus melanoleucus (Gm.) — Greater tell-tale, yellow shanks. 

141. Totanus flavipes, (Gm.) Lesser tell-tale; lesser yellow shanks. 

142. Totanus solitarius (Wil.) — Solitary tattler. 

143. Tringoides macularius (Gray) — Tip-up, spotted sandpiper, or 
teeter-tail. 

144. Actiturus bartramius (Wil.)— Bon. — Upland plover. This is a bird 
which farmers ought to protect on account of the large number of grubs 
which it destroys. 

145. Tryngites rufescens (Vieill.) — Cab. — Buff-breasted sandpiper. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 567 

146. Numenius longirostris(Wil.) — Long-billed curlew. Rarely occurs 

147. Numenius borealis (Lath.) — Esquimaux Curlew. 

148. Ardea herodias (L.) — Great blue heron. 

149. Garzetta candidissima (Jacq.) Bon. — Snowy Egret. One specimen 
seen in spring of 1S81. 

150. Ardea virescens (L.) Bon. — Green heron; Fly-up-the-creek. 

151. N3'ctiardea grisea (L.) var nevia, (Bodd.) — Allen — Night heron. 

152. Botaurus minor (Gm.) Boie. — Bittern, Thunder pump, Stake 
driver. 

153. Grus americanus (L.) Ord — White crane. 

154 '' canadensis (L.) Lemm — Brown or sand hill crane. *The 
last two merely pass over during migratory season. 

155. Rallus elegans (Aud.) — King rail. 

156. " virginianus (L.) — Virginia rail. 

157. Porzana Carolina (L.) V. — Carolina rail. 

158. Fulica americana (Gm.) Coot; Mud hen. 

159. Cygnus buccinator (Rich.) — Trumpeter swan. And probably 

160. Cygnus columbianus (Ord.) — Cs. — Whistling swan. Were fre- 
quently seen during migrations in former years. 

161. Anser albifrons (Gm.) var. gambeli (Cs.) — White-fronted goose. 

162. " hyperboreus (Pallas.) — Snow goose. 

163. Branta canadensis (L.) — Wild goose, Canada goose. 

164. Anas boschas (L.) — Mallard duck. 

165. " obscura (Gm.)^ — Black duck. 

166. Dafila acuta (L.) Jen.— Pin-tail. 

167. Chanlelasmus streperus (L.) Gray — Gadwall. 

168. Mareca Americana (Gm.) Steph. — American Widgeon, Baldpate. 

169. Querquedula discors (L.) Steph. — Blue-winged teal. 

170. " carolinensis (Gm.) — Green-winged teal. 

171. Spatula ch^peata (L.) Boie. — Shoveller, Spoon-bill. 

172. Aix sponsa (L.; Boie. — Wood duck. Summer duck. 

173. Fuligula marila (L.) — Big scaup duck. 

174. " affinis (E3^ton.) — Lesser scaup duck. 

175. " coUaris (Don.) — Ring-necked duck. 

176. " ferina (L.) var. Americana (Eyton) — Red head. 

177. " vallisneria (Wil.) — Canvas-back duck. 

178. Bucephala albeola (L.) — Dipper, buffle head, butter ball. 

179. Mergus merganser (L.) — Goosander, fish duck. 

180. Mergus cucullatus (L.) — Hooded merganser. 

181. Pelicanus trachyrhynchus (Lath.) — White pelican; usually occurs 
in large flocks, 

182. Graculus dilophus (Sw.) — Double crested cormorant. 

*There are undoubtedly other waders here, especially during the migratory season, but I 
have not data to give record. 



568 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

183. Sterna hirundo (Auct.)— Sea swallow, Wilson's tern. 

184. " forsteri (Nutt.) — Forster's tern. 

185. " caspia (Pall.) var. imperator (?) Cs. — Caspian tern. 

186. " superciliaris (Vieill.) — Least tern. 

187. Hydrochelidon lariformis (L.)Black or Sooty tern. 

188. Colvmbus torquatus (Brunn) — Loon, diver. 

189. Podiceps cornutus (Gm.) — Horned grebe. 

190. Podilymbus podiceps (L.) — Hell diver, Pied billed grebe. 

RKPTH^IA. 

1. Cistudo clausa (Gm.) — Box turtle. 

2. Chrysemys picta (Herm.) (?) — Painted turtle. 

2. Malacoclemmys geographicus (Le. S.) — Map turtle. 

4. Pseudemys hieroglyphica (Holbe) — Hieroglyphic turtle. 

5. Chelydra serpentina (L.)— Snapping turtle. 

6. Aspidonectes spinifer (Le. S. ) — Soft-shelled turtle. 

7. Phrynosoma douglasi (Bell.) — Horned toad; one specimen taken 
east of Iowa City in 1880. This is really a lizard and is very rare in 
Iowa. 

8. Opheosaurus yentralis (L.) — Glass snake. This, also, is really a 
lizard, but without external legs. 

9. Eumeces septentrionalis (Bd.) — Northern skink. 

10. Heteodon platyrhinus (Lat.) — Blowing Viper. 

11. Tropidonotus sipedon (L.) — Water snake. 

12. " leberis (L.) (?) — Leather snake. 

13. Eutaenia saurita (L.) — Riband Snake, or switt snake. 

14. " sirtalis (L.)^z'«r. dorsalis (B. «& G.) — Garter snake. 

15. " " var. parietalis (Say). 

16. Bascanium constrictor (L.) — Black snake. 

17. Pityophis melanoleucus (Daud.) — Bull snake. 

18. Coluber obsoletus (Say.) — Pilot snake, or racer. 

19. Liopeltis vernalis (DeK.) — Green snake, or spring snake. 

20. Ophibolus doliatus (L.) var. triangulus (Boie.)— Spotted adder, 
milk snake, house snake. 

' 21. Crotalus horridus (L.) — Banded, or timber rattlesnake. 

22. Candisona tergemina (Say.) — Massassangas, prairie rattlesnake. 
[List not entirely complete. ] 

BATRACHIA. 

1. Rana halecina (Kalm. — Leopard frog. 

2. " catesbiana (Shaw)— Bull frog. 

3. Hyla versicolor ( LeC.) — Tree toad. 

4. Bufo lentiginosus (Shaw.) — Toad. 

5. Amblystoma mavortium. — Salamander. 

6. Necturus lateralis (Say.) — Mud puppy, water dog. 
[List not entirely complete.] 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 569 

FfSHES. 

1. Poecilichthys crituleus (Stor.) — Rainbow fish, or blue darter; an 
exquisite, hicrhly colored little fish. 

2. Stizostethium vitreum (Mitch.) — Wall-eyed pike, yellow pike. 

3. Microterus pallidas (^Raf.) — Black bass. 

4. Ambloplites rupestris (Raf.) — Rock bass, goggle-eye. 

5. Apomotis cyanellus (Raf.) — Blue-spotted sunfish. 

6. Eupomotis aureus (Walb.) — Pumpkin-seed. 

7. Pomoxys annularis (Raf.) — Crappie.(?) 

8. Haploidonotus grunniens (Raf.) — Sheepshead. 

9. Labidesthes sicculus (Cope.) — River silversides. 

10. Zygonectes notatus (Raf.) — Top minnow. 

11. Melanura limi (Kirt.) — Mud minnow. 

12. Esox nobilior (Thomp.)--Muskallunge, or great pike. 

13. Hyodon tergisus (LeS.) — Silver bass. 

14. Alosa sapidissima (Wil.) — Shad; introduced by the State Fish 
Commissioner. 

15. Campostoma anomala (Raf.) — Stone roller. 

16. Luxilus cornutus (Mitch.) — Red fin, or common shiner. 

17. Semotilus corporalis (Mitch.) — Common chub. 

18. Ceratichthys biguttatus (Kirt.) — Horned chub. 

19. Myxostoma macrolepida (LeS.) — Mullet, or red horse. 

20. Catostomus teres (Mit.) -Common white sucker. 

21. Carpiodes velifer (Raf.) — QuiU-back. 

22. Ichthyobus bubalus (Ag.) (?)— Bufialo-fish. 

23. Ichthitlurus punctatus (Raf.) — Channel catfish, blue cat. 

24. Amiurus nigricans (LeS.) — Mississippi cat, great blue cat. 

25. " catus (L.) — Bull-head cat. 

26. Pelodichthys olivaris (Raf.)— Mud cat. 

27. Anguilla rostrata (LeS.) — Common eel. 

28. Amia calva (L.) — Dog-fish. 

29. Lepidosteus osseus (L.) — Gar pike. 

30. Polyodon folium (Lac.) — Spoon-billed sturgeon. 

31. Scaphirhynchops platyrhvnchus (Raf.) — Shovel-nosed sturgeon,,, 
shovel-fish. 

This list is very incomplete. There are other species, particularly of 
minnows, but I have no records at hand. 

Crustacea. — There are two, or perhaps three varieties of crayfish, 
besides a number of small crustaceans, which for want of a better name 
are commonly called water bugs, sand bugs, etc. 

GENERAL SUMMARY. 

In richess of natural products Johnson county equals any in the State. 
Of Mamniah there are twenty-five species, representing twenty genera 
and twelve families. Number of specimens taken was about 100. 



5T0 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Of Birds there are 196 species, representing 136 genera and forty-two 
families. Of these, ten species are winter visitants only; twenty -three 
are residents, and about ninety-five breed here. The remainder are 
mere migrants or stragglers. Number of specimens taken, about 2,000. 

Of Reptilia there are abotit Q.\g\i\.<tQx\ species, representing about sixteen 
genera and six families. About 100 specimens taken. 

Of Bairachia there are eight species, representing seven genera and six 
families. About 500 specimens taken. 

Of Molluscas there are 119 species, representing forty genera and nine 
families. Of these, seventy one are Gasteropoda^ and forty-eight are 
LamelUbranchiata. Over 50,000 taken. 

PLANTS OF THE COUNTY. 

Of PhcRnogamons^ or flowering plants, I have studied about 210 species, 
representing 140 genera and sixty-one families. This, however, does not 
include all the species in the county. About 1,500 specimens taken. 

Of Ferns there are eighteen species, representing twelve genera. 
About 1,000 taken. 

The above represents my own work. B. Shimek. 



NATIVE ANIMALS. 
[Points gathered from old hunters and early settlers.] 

QUADRUPEDS. 

Bears. — Very few bears have been killed in this county; one was a stray 
fellow, who wandered along down the river, was chased by men and 
dogs, and was finally overtaken and pitchforked to death near where the 
county fair ground is now located. (See Charles Pratt's Big Grove 
bear story, further on.) 

Catamotmt. — This animal is a variety of wild-cat, with a longer tail 
and more slender body and finer fur than the common wild-cat, the latter 
being rather " chunky " in form and bob-tailed. Other names for the 
catamount are, "North American tiger," "American panther," [errone- 
ously pronounced painter by many persons], and cougar. The true pan- 
ther is only found m Asia and Africa. The puma oi- cougar is a South 
American species, and not found further north than Texas. The cata- 
mount [mountain cat] is the true "boss feline " or great native cat of all 
our north middle States. 

Deer. — The common red or white-tailed deer was quite abundant in the 

*Mr. Sbimek's collectiou of Johnson county mollusks in the University museum shows 
an immense amount of industry and untiring zeal in his favorite pursuit. Many ot the 
specimens are almost microscopic; and he discovered some species still living which sci- 
entists had before supposed to be now extinct. The zoological work of this native .John- 
son county boy is referred to with special pride and satisfaction by both President Pickard 
and Prof. Calvin. It is also a credit to tlie whole Bohemian people, of whom he is so 
worthy a representative. — Editor. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 571 

early day, but there does not appear to have been any other animal of the 
ungulate family, except elk occasionally; no buffalo or antelopes here after 
the time when white men first settled within the bounds of Johnson county 
Mr. R. B. Groff of Marengo relates that he visited Iowa City in 1845; 
went with Abraham Bowman to visit his son Francis up in the North 
Bend settlement. On the way up Mr. Bowman shot an enormously big 
spotted rattlesnake. They got a forked stick and clamped the snake's 
neck in it so as to examine the peculiar structure of its mouth, or more 
especially of its teeth and poison fangs. And while they were thus intently 
engaged at this study of Odo-toxicoophidiology, Mr. Groff says, " I 
looked up, and some distance from us saw a herd of deer prancing, play- 
ing and sporting." Mr. Groff bought an eighty acre claim from Frank 
Bowman for $25; lived on it for about two years, then sold it to Nicholas 
Zeller, who lives there yet. 

Gopher. — There is the common striped gopher, which is such a pest to 
farmers. And also the "pocket gopher" or pouched rat; the geomys 
bursar ins of Zoology. 

Otter. — The trapping of beaver, mink, muskrat and otter, was one of 
the standard sources of revenue among those of the early settlers who 
had a special taste for such pursuits or special skill in their prosecution. 
There was always a ready and good market for the skins of these fur- 
bearing animals. 

6"X'«//^.— Sometimes called pole-cat; plenty of them. 

Squirrel. — -Several varieties. There were the black and the gray tim- 
ber squirrel, the fox squirrel [called pine squirrel by some], and the flying 
squirrel. Also the striped, the gra}^ and the chipmunk varieties of ground 
squirrel. 

Weasel. — White and brown varieties. Some say these are two distinct 
varieties, while others maintain that the same animal may be a white 
weasel at one time of year and a brown weasel at another time. Old 
trappers generally stick to it that there are two species; but science is 
against them. 

Wild Cat. — See "Catamount;" the common bob-tailed wild-cat and the 
catamount were both here. 

Wolf. — The gray timber wolf [sometimes called white, and sometimes 
yellow wolf,] and the common prairie wolf, and the black wolf, were 
found in this count}-. 

Black Bees — were native in this county; and the occasional discovery 
of a "bee tree" was an event of note among the early settlers whose 
sweetening was generally far to fetch. The Italian bees have been intro- 
duced and crossed with the blacks until there is rarely a swarm of the 
pure native black bees left. 

A BEAR HUNT. 

Mr. Charles Pratt of Solon, relates: In 1843 Mr. H. H. Kerr and a man 



572 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

named Farr were out after a load of wood, on section 31 in Cedar town- 
ship — just over the line from section 36 of Big Grove township. A large 
blackbear came in sight. They had neither dog nor gun along so they 
unhitched their horses trom the wagon, mounted them, and took after the 
bear to raise the neighbors who had dogs and guns. They drove the 
bear near where Mrs. Fanny Pratt lived. A. W. Pratt saw and heard 
them coming; and thinking it was a wolf they were chasing, he ran with 
his dog over to head them and hid in the hazel brush to give his dog the 
advantage of a sudden dash and surprise on the supposed wolf. But 
when he saw a big black bear come along near him, he ran back to the 
house where his brother Charlie was — and with his eyes shining Hke peeled 
onions, and himself half out of breath, he said, "It's a Bear!!" Charles 
quickly mounted a horse and galloped off to head the bear so it would go 
into the woods and climb a tree. When he rode up to the animal trying 
to turn it toward the woods, it rose on its hind feet and grabbed the horse's 
throat with one paw and shoulder with the other, its claws cutting deep 
gashes in the horse and scratching Mr. Pratt's foot a little. The horse 
reared and plunged, and then jumped clear over the bear, while the latter 
turned and went past Mr. Cannon's house through the grove north, but it 
wouldn't take a tree as they wanted it should. About forty rods north of 
Cannon's house they got it surrounded, having been by this time joined 
in the exciting chase by Harvey Lyman with an ax, and Robert Orr with 
a pitchfork. Then Mr. Isaac Stewart and Sabina Stiles came up with 
guns, and both shot it. The bear fell, but Mr. Lyman thinking it hardly 
dead yet, ran up to finish it with his ax and struck it a blow, when the 
beast suddenly grabbed him m its paws and hugged and bit him terribly 
about the shoulders, arms and legs. Mr. Orr than ran up with his pitch- 
fork and pitched it off from Lyman; and by this time Mr. Stewart had got 
his gun loaded again and gave his black majesty a finishing shot. The 
bear was very poor, yet it weighed when dressed 200 pounds, and was 
the largest one ever seen in the county. Mr. Lyman was laid up several 
months by his injuries. He said: "It's lots of fun to hunt a bear; but 
when the bear begins to hunt you, it isn't funny at all." 

Of those who took part in,this lively adventure, A. W. Pratt now [1S82] 
lives in Iowa City, and H. H. Kerr a few miles west of the city. 

A WOI.F STORY. 

Mr. M. W. Cook, of Oxford township furnishes the following graphic 
and interesting sketch of a wolf that made himself famous in Johnson 
county: 

"It was known far and wide as "the big white wolf," and made its 
appearance first about 1850, and was seen from time to time for several 
years in the eastern and southern parts of the township and in various 
other localities. It was seen by many persons, and many more desired to 
see the wonderful creature. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 573 

From the description given by those who saw it, it was known to be an 
animal of the "wolf " kind, though unlike anything ever seen by any per- 
son in this vicinity. Such was its strength that it would and did carry off 
full grown sheep with perfect ease, and of all the numerous dogs which 
attacked it none could make any impression upon it, but were handled as 
a mastiff handles a terrier. 

Many attempts were made to kill or capture the beast, but he was 
exceedingly wary so that few persons ever got within gun-shot of him. 
He was caught in a trap by Jonathan Talbott, and carried the trap many 
miles, but finally escaped, losing a toe, as was discovered by his tracks 
when he next appeared in this locality, which was not for several months. 
Poison was tried freely upon him, but the dose which would "lay out" a 
*'coyote," would have no effect upon him. At last, however, he was 
brought to bay and disposed of by John E. Douglass, now a resident of 
Oxford, and J. J. Shepardson, now living m Clear Creek township. He 
was caught in two traps, they being fastened together by a log-chain to 
which was attached a heavy "blacksmith's sledge." The traps were set 
for him near the Douglass place, and as soon as it was ascertained that 
they "had him" they started in pursuit with four good dogs, which finally 
succeeded in stopping him till the men came up, when they had reached 
a point on Clear Creek nearly south of the present site of Oxford, a dis- 
tance of more than three miles. Here they had him in the water and the fight 
raged furiously, the men being unable to "get in a shot" without danger 
of killing a dog. As fast as the animal would try to climb the bank the 
dogs would pull him back, when the fight would be renewed in the water, 
till the dogs were beaten off and the wolf would again attempt to escape. 
Finally Shepardson went down into the water to see what aid he could 
give the dogs, and just at that time the wolf became disengaged from the 
trap and started up the, bank, and escape seemed certain; but Joe. was 
equal to the occasion, seizing the animal by the tail and reaching forward 
he gave him several vigorous stabs with his pocket knife, which ended 
his career. His size exceeded the apparently exaggerated reports given 
by those who had seen him alive, being four feet and three inches high, 
though rather short in proportion. His weight was proportionate to his 
size, but not definitely known. The hair, which was white, tipped with 
steel gray, was from four to five inches in length and as thick as the wool 
on a sheep. His legs were of the size of a muscular man's arm and his 
paws like those of a lion. That the skin was not saved and properly 
mounted is much to be regretted. 

BOUNTY FOR WOLF SCALPS. 

The first action of the county in regard to the destruction of pestifer- 
ous wild beasts was on January 3, 1841, thus: 

"The board now present having taken into consideration the propriety 
of offering a reward tor wolf scalps, do agree and determine that from 



574 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

and after this date they will pay one dollar for each scalp over six months 
old, and litty cents for each scalp under that age, and no more, to be paid 
out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated." 

The first man naijied to whom bounty was paid under this order was 
on July 5, 1841, when "David Wray was allowed one dollar for a wolf 
scalp over six months old." But on April 8th before this, it is noted that 
nine dollars were paid as bounty for wolf scalps, without mentioning to 
whom it was paid. 

January 3, 1882, the county beard paid the county on twenty-eight 
wolf scalps. The parties who brought the scalps on this day, were* 
Joseph Stover, 3; Jacob Stover, 11 ; John Gardner, 2; George Wein, 2; 
Arthur Russell, 1; Pleasant Harris, 6; Martin Harless, 3. They were 
all from full grown wolves, or over six months old, and drew $1 each as 
bounty, or a total of $28. 

, A WOLF HARVEST. 

At the January session of the County Board, January 6 to 10, 1845, the 
following payments were made by the county for wolf scalps: 

Orlow Webster, two gray and four prairie wolf scalps, $8; Orley Hull, 
two whelp wolf scalps, $1; Wm. Dupont, one scalp, $1; James Cham- 
berlain, one; A. P. Kitchen, two; Wm. Fry, one; Charles JoneSy 
one; Wilson Blain, one; John L. Gordon one; John Bucking- 
ham, two; Allen Russell, one; George W. Hawkins, one; P. 
C. Brown, one; James McCray, one; Samuel Shelliday, one; Jere- 
miah Stover, five; Marshall Fry, three prairie and one gray wolf scalps, 
$5; John Hamilton, one; David Smith, one; S. W. Hartsock, two; Nel- 
son H. Dowd, one; Stephen Chase, three; John Stover, one; James 
Douglass, two; Samuel Li.igle, one; John Fry, two; Mathew Teneick,. 
two; Wm. Hench, one; John C. Lee, two; Jonathan Tabot, eight; Wm. 
Jones, two; Charles Jones, one; Archibald Shaw, one; Allen Baxter^ 
three; Charles Jones, again, one; Jacob Earhart, two; Wm. Brisbine, 
one; Abel Stevens, one; A. D. Stephen, three; James Seaborn, three 
prairie and one black wolf scalps, $5; David Crosier, one; John Smith, 
one; Samuel Laughrev, one; C. Rand, one; John Shatl', two; George 
W. Kitchen, two; Moses S. Emmet, one; D. A. Shafer, one; Evan Dol- 
larhide, two; Evven Davis, one; Philip Clark, two; Josiah Morrow, two; 
Oliver Thomas, two. 

This was the biggest grist of wolf scalps ever brought to the county 
mill at one time, and shows that the lupine crop must have been a big one 
hat year. It was decidedly a "wolfish" session of the county board, and 
tany man w^ho hadn't a wolf scalp was out of fashion. 

In 1848 it was Resolved^ that an}' person in this county who shall exter- 
minate a wolf, lynx or wild cat, be allowed three dollars for each scalp. 

During the year 1849, the county paid $225.50 for wolf scalps, which 
shows that these beasts of prey were still pretty numerous at that time. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 5 75 

June 7, 1>^77, it was ordered that the bounty should be raised to $4 for 
full thrown wolf scalps, and $;^ for whelps. 

The county treasurer's report in June, 1882, showed $186 paid as wolf 
bounty since the preceding)- January 1; and $1 paid for a wild cat. 

June 7, 1867, an order was adopted that the county would pay a bounty 
of fifteen cents each for the scalps of all gophers killed within Johnson 
county. 

Samuel Hess and M. W. Davis furnish the following list, by their com- 
mon names, of the 

Large Watcr-hirds. — White swan, pelican, wild goose, sand-hill crane 
bittern, blue heron. 

Smaller Water-hirds. — Black and brown loon, caw, mud-hen, teal, mal- 
lard duck, pin-tail duck, wood duck, redhead duck, spoonbill duck, butter- 
ball duck, widgeon duck, canvas-back duck, fish duck, dipper, blue-winged 
and green-winged teal, killdeer or plover, Wilson's snipe, jack-snipe, yel- 
low-legged snipe, tip-up snipe, stilt sand-piper, marsh tern, sea gulls. 

English 6"^«rr6?zt^5.— Somebody introduced the pestiferous English spar- 
row at Iowa City. Whoever it was, he ought to read Secretary Shaf- 
fer's report on this bird to the State Agricultural Society (printed report, 
1880, pp. 12 to 17), and then go out and scrape himself for a Job's fool. 
Mr. Shaffer cites about sixty different writers on the subject, and fully 
ninety per cent, of them condemn the introduction of the bird into this 
country as a piece of most luckless enterprise and unwisdom. 

Toads and Frogs. — The common wart}' toad is found in fields and gar- 
dens. He lives entirely on slugs, worms and insects that are injurious to 
the farmer; and farm children should be taught never to kill a toad. 

Of frogs there are more varieties. We have the big old buU-gerum 
that sings in a deep bass voice, "Old Hodge — got drunk — got drunk — got 
drunk — Old Hodge — got drunk — ker chunk — gewunk — Old Hodge — 
got drunk" — and so on to the end of the chapter. Then there is the sleek, 
smooth-legged. Frenchman's frog, the hind legs of which form such a 
rare dish among the Parisian epicures. It is the most [delicate and deli- 
cious meat in the world. We also have the delicately spotted spring frog 
— or leopard frog — the same kind about which the nursery song says: 
"There was a frog lived in a well. '■ *— And a mouse lived in a mill. 
The frog he would a wooing go" — and finally married the mouse's sister. 
That's the chap. Then we have the sucker-footed or tree frog as another 
variety. 

Snakes. — The "massasauga," or prairie rattlesnake. This is a smaller 
sort of rattlesnake, and will rear up half his length then strike to bite, 
even when lying straight, and its rattle is so small and faint that it scarcely 
amounts practically to a warning-. The name "massasauga" was given 
to it by the Indians; but whether they got it from some French or Span- 



576 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

ish word, or originated it themselv^es, nobody knows; neither is it known 
why it was so named. 

Tellozv Rattlesnake. — This is the big deadly fellow that is got up for 
business. It is found only in wooded land or rocky places. It usually 
lies coiled up, and when anything approaches, it sounds its rattle vigor- 
ously, then throws its head forward by a muscular propulsion from all 
along its length, so that a large one can spring a distance of ten feet or 
more and strike deadly fangs into its foe. But when not coiled it has 
little or no power to rear its head and strike, and can onl}^ bite what gets 
near its head. 

Bull 07' Blow Snake, — This is a blustering and frightful snake, from the 
fact that it grows large and will rear up and blow or hiss like a goose. It 
is distinctively a prairie snake. M. W. Davis has one at his drug store in 
Iowa City, which he stuffed about twent}^ years ago, and which measures 
six and a half feet long — supposed to be the longest snake ever killed in 
Johnson county. Don't know who killed it. 

Garter Snake. — Two or three varieties. 

Green or Grass Snake. — This creature seems to change color, within 
certain limits, and takes on the line of the foliage where he happens to 
lie in wait for the bugs and worms or their larvae, which form his food. 
It will change from a deep, rich grassy green color to almost brown, and 
hence is seldom seen or noticed by man. Its apparent change of color is 
only from the difterent light or shade that falls upon it, the same as change- 
able silk goods. 

6^/^55 Snake. — This is peculiar in that it is so deficient in muscular tena- 
city that when struck a smart blow in one place it will break into three or 
four pieces, the same as a glass rod would. They are not numerous. 
This is properly a legless lizard. It has rudimentary legs and feet under 
the skin. 

Water Snake — [sometimes called pilot snake.] This is the one that is 
sometimes seen swimming with its body all under water, and head above. 
When on land it usually lies coiled up not far from the water's edge, and 
has probably in this way been mistaken for the copperhead snake; this 
latter species is not found in Johnson county, although some says it is. 

THE IOWA GAME LAW. 

The following are the main points of the game law of Iowa, as now in 
force, 1882: 

Section 2. It shall be unlawful for any persons within this State to 
shoot or kill any pinnated grouse or prairie chicken, between the first day 
of December, and the fifteenth day of August next following; any wood- 
cock between the first day of Januar}^ and the tenth day of July; any 
rufled grouse or pheasant, wild turkey or quail, between the first of Jan- 
uary and the first day of October; any wild duck, goose or brant between 
the first day of May and the fifteenth day of August; or any wild deer, 
elk or fawn between the first da}^ of January and the first day of Sep- 
tember. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 577 

Sec. 3. At shall be unlawful for any person, at any time, or at any 
place, within this State, to shoot or kill for traffic any pinnated grouse or 
prairie chicken, woodcock,. quail, ruffed grouse or pheasant; or for any 
one person to shoot or kill during any one day, more than twenty-five of 
either kind of said named birds; or for any one person, firm or corpora- 
tion, to have more than twenty-five of either kind of said named birds in 
his or their possession at any one time, unless lavvfulh^ received for tians- 
portation; or to catch or take, or attempt to catch or take, with any trap, 
snare or net, an}^ of the birds or animals named in section two (2) of this 
act, or in any manner wilfully to destroy the eggs or nests of any of the 
birds hereby intended to be protected from destruction. 

Sec. 4. It shall be unlawful for any person to kill, trap or ensnare, any 
beaver, mink, otter, or muskrat, between the first day of April and the 
first day of November, except where such killing, trapping, or snaring 
may be for the protection of private property. 

Sec. 5. It shall be unlawful for any person, company or corporation, 
to buy or sell, or have in possession any of the birds or animals named in 
section two (2) of this act during the period when the killing of such bird 
or animal is prohibited by said section two (2) except during the first five 
days of such prohibited period; and the having in possession by any per- 
son, company or corporation, of any such birds or animals during such 
prohibited period except during the first five days thereof, shall be deemed 
prima facie evidence of a violation of this act. 

GAME AND FISH INTERESTS. 

Sometime in 1S60 the Uudubon Club of Johnson county was organized, 
partly to enjoy the sports and recreation of gun and rod; but chiefiy to 
enforce the laws for preventing a wanton destruction and extermination of 
the game animals and birds of the country. The principal members of 
this club were: Walter Curtis, C. F. Lovelace, T. M. Van bury, W. D. 
Berryhill, Harry Sperry, and John Seydel — the latter being secretary 
But the interest soon waned, and the organization practically died out. 
In July, 1867, we find the name of H. W. Baldwin as president and G. W. 
Koontz, secretary. 

April 16, 1880, the Johnson County Game and Fish Association was 
organized, to enforce the State laws for preventing the extermination of 
wild game and the food varieties of fish. The officers elected were: J. 
J. Holmes, president; C. P. Bacon, secretary. Forty-five members were 
enrolled. The new state law aimed to preserve our native food fishes 
from extermination by giving them passageway up and down the rivers 
as their habits require, and prohibiting their being taken in their breeding 
season, or with seines or drag nets, or at dams where they would be 
accumulated in large numbers by this obstruction to their migratory 
movements. The law required fish ways to be put into all dams of a cer- 
tain height — beyond what the fish could pass over during high water. 
The dam at Coralville was the only one on the Iowa river requiring a 
fish way, under the law. This club tried to have the owners of that dam 
put in afishway; but they flatly refused, claiming that the law was uncon- 
stitutional, and vowing that they would resist and fight it through all the 



578 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

courts in the land before they would obey it. The law made it the duty 
of the county board of supervisors to see that its requirements were obeyed, 
but was miserably lame and deficient in providing ways and means 
whereby they could enforce the authority given them. They were like 
three brigadier generals ordered to capture a belligerent fort, without 
arms, ammunition, subsistence or soldiers to back them. What! couldn't 
three brigadiers capture one fort? Well, hardly. And no more could 
three zoMx\\.Y supervisors, armed only with words, coerce a weathly, power, 
fu 1 and defiant milldam compan\\ Good lawyers differed as to the prob- 
able result of a legal contest over the matter; and the supervisors did not 
feel justified in taking steps which would involve the county as a party 
litigant in so doubtful a case — but preferred waiting till the law should be 
either repealed, or amended so as to provide adequate means and methods 
for its enforcement. And so it stands to this day. 

The Game and Fish Association employed a man for some time as a 
special policeman to watch the river and prevent people from fishing with 
drag nets, or with hooks or dip-nets close to the dam, contrary to the law 
Thereupon the spirits of our icthj^ophagous ancestors suddenly took 
possession of the people all along the river; men dragged the river by. 
night, hauling fish away by cart loads; and they dipped and angled on 
the breast of the dam above, or at its edge below, as if possessed with 
some kind of reckless infatuation to set the law and its supporters at defi- 
ance. The writer hereof has seen drag nets swept along the shallows, 
raking out hundreds of minnows at a haul, when perhaps a dozen would 
be picked up for bait, and the rest left to perish on the dr}^ sand bars, 
instead of serving as food for the larger kinds. And thus the lawless 
ignoramuses go on " killing the goose that laid the golden o.^^'''' by need- 
lessly exterminating those kinds of fish which are valuable for food. The 
Game and Fish Association still holds a nominal existence, but the law is 
so lame in executive detail that they can do nothing, and so the matter 
stands, the law is practically a dead letter, and the river almost a dead 
fisher. 

But there is another cause at work toward destroying the fish supply. 
Old settlers sa}^ the Iowa river used to be a clear stream, except during 
high water, but now it is always muddy or slimy, and stones or boulders 
lying in the water that used to be clean are now found to be invested with 
a coating of nasty, slimy sediment from the unclean water. In explana- 
tion of this change it is said the plowing and cultivation of the land causes 
more loose soil and vefretable debris to be washed into the river than could 
be washed in from the native prairie sod; also, nearly every small stream 
flowing into the river is now utilized as a hog-wallow, or else a hot-day 
resort for cattle, and the continual filth from these sources passes into the 
river and contaminates its waters so that those kinds of fish which require 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 579 

clean water are dying out from this cause. But the nastier breeds can 
still stand it and grow fat on the filth. 

FOOD FOR FISHES. 

On Wednesday night, January 20, 1875, Dr. Shaw, the State Fish Com- 
missioner of Iowa, arrived at Iowa City with 18,000 California salmon 
two inches long, from the state fish hatchery at Anamosa, and put them 
into the river above the old Terrell mill dam. They doubtless made very 
choice and dainty feed for the cat fish, dog fish, gar pike, etc.; and thus 
the state money instead of providing "fishes for food," as Dr. Shaw so 
eloquently pleads, only provided the merest trifle of "food for fishes." 

The largest fish reported caught in Johnson county was a channel cat- 
fish, which weighed sixty-eight pounds. It was caught with a hook by 
Wm. Ayers, at Terrell's mill dam in 1862. M. W. Davis took ofl' the 
skin and stufled it, and kept it in his drug store window for a number of 
years as a natural curiosity. A good many of the same kind have been 
caught weighing from 50 to 55 pounds. 

The largest black bass ever caught here was hooked by Samuel J. 
Hess, at Rock Point, a little way above Coralville, and weighed five and 
a quarter pounds. 

In 1862 or '63, a gar pike over four feet long was caught in a seine, and 
is still preserved at the boat house as the largest icthyosaurian specimen 
ever seen in Johnson county waters. This fish is really a fresh water 
shark. 



CHAPTER X.— PART 1. 



PIONEER POINTS, BY HON. HENRY FELKNER. 

Hon. Henry Felkner furnished to this historian the original manuscript 
i){'his reminiscences and recollections of the pioneer days in Johnson coun- 
ty, with free permission to make any use of it which would aid in produc- 
ing a full, fair and complete history of the county. After three months' 
of work in collecting our history material, we find Mr. Felkner's sketch 
to be generally very reliable, and we therefore give it entire. It will thus 
be saved from the mutilation of using it in fragmentary citations, and 
will be the more prized by his pioneer associates. The same MSS. was 
edited and printed in the State Pi'ess in 1881, and we are much indebted 
to Hon. John P. Irish for the free use of the files of his paper in regard to 
this and many other historical matters. 

THE FIRST TWO. 

Eli Myers and Philip Clark started fi-om Elkhart county, Indiana, in 
the fall of 1836 to visit what was then known as the "Black Hawk Pur- 



580 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

chase." Their objective point was Rock Island, better known then at a 
distance than any other point on the Mississippi above St. Louis. They 
arrived there at the termination of a treaty with the Sac and Fox Indians, 
at which they sold what was called the Keokuk Reserve, a body of land 
lying on both sides of the Iowa river from its mouth up to where the line 
of the Black Hawk purchase crossed it. Messrs. Myers and Clark 
there made the acquaintance of John Gilbert, who was keeping a trading 
house on the Iowa river for S. Phelps & Co., of Oquawka, 111. Gilbert 
learned that they were looking for a location on which to settle, and told 
them he knew the very place, and invited them to go with him to his 
trading house. They gladly accepted, and on arriving he treated them 
with great kindness, and went on foot to show them the place where they 
made their claims and finally settled. Those claims embrace all the land 
south of the residence of the late Judge McCollister down to Sandlown. 
After making their claims they returned to Indiana, and during the winter 
got their teams and outfit; and early in the spring of 1837 set out for their 
western homes, which they reached in time to break and plant, each 40 
acres. Soon after them in 1887, came Judge Harris, from St. Joseph 
county, Indiana, who by nearly the same route reached Gilbert's trading 
hou.se, accompanied by his nephew James Massey, and wife and child, 
Gilbert went with him to where he finally located his claim, embracing 
the ^rhomas Ilill and a half dozen other farms. After the Judge had 
built a cabin for Massey on the southwest bank of the Iowa river, oppo- 
site the Myers farm, he returned to Indiana to prepare to move his fam- 
ily out to his new home, which was accomplished late in July or early in 
August, bringing tvith him his son-in-law. Dr. Isaac N. Lesh, Jacob 
Earhart and family, and John and Henry Earhart. 

Between Judge Harris' arrival in the spring and his permanent settle- 
ment here in mid-summer, Wm. Devaul and Tom Bradley came in, the 
former to remain some years — the latter went in the fall of 1S37 to a trad- 
ing house on the Des Moines river and never returned. Samuel and 
James Walker came also early in the spring, and Joseph Walker and 
another brother late in the same year. The Walker brothers made claims 
where Joseph now lives and to the south and west, including many farms 
now owned by other parties. I should have said that Myers and Clark 
each brought with them a young man, Eli Summery and William Wilson. 
The former returned to Indiana in the fall of 1S37, and Wilson remained. 
The foregoing is the precise order in which white men came to Johnson 
county. The writer came next, very soon after the two Walker brothers, 
and made a claim south of Sandtown, adjoining Phillip Clark's on the 
south. I hired Eli Myers to break Cwc acres of land and while I was 
helping him to make rails to fence his corn, | had been there about a week,| 
S. C. Trowbridge came in. He had known Myers and Clark in Indiana, 
and wished to get a claim near them. He ofl'ered me $15.0(» for mine. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 581 

Not long after William Sturo-is and G. W. Hawkins came, the latter a 
married man. They both settled in the south part of the county, JLate 
in the season John Trout, E. Hilton, A. D. Stephen, Mulholland and John 
Hight came; also a man name Schrick, who was but little known. He 
stayed with the Walker bo3^s and was the first white man who died in 
Johnson county. J. A. Cain, a married man, settled on the farm now 
owned by Henry Walker. He did not live long and the family left. 

THE FIRST TOWN. 

One of the events of that summer was the laying oft' of a town, above 
the mouth of English river by John Gilbert. He called it Sephe-nahmo, 
but it was only a town on paper, although scientitically staked otV. 

THE FIRST "raising." 

In the spring of that year John Gilbert gave notice to S. Phelps & Co., 
that as soon as he could make arrangements, he would leave their employ 
and set up on his own account. x\ccordingly, about the first of July he 
gathered up all the young men in the settlement who were unemployed, 
to help him build a house. They were glad to get work and to get a 
place to board. They were all from timbered States and knew the use of the 
ax. While some were chopping logs, others were getting out timber for 
clapboards to roof it, and puncheons for floors; others dug a hole for the 
cellar, while others were hauling up the material, h was not long till 
everything was on the ground, and as there was force enough to raise the 
building we did not call in the neighbors. We all knew something about 
cabin building, and had no trouble in getting it up and covered. One 
room was finished as a store room, the cracks were chincked and daubed, 
a strong puncheon floor laid, a stout counter and door put in. The house 
stood over the line on Indian ground, and as a consideration, Gilbert 
agreed to treat the Indians, and this he fulfilled religiously, as far as two 
barrels of whisky would do it. As the season's building was over, and 
the treat safely administered, Gilbert had no use for his force and dis- 
charged them all but the writer, who remained in his employ till March 7, 
1838. None of the young men who had come in the spring and summer 
of 1837, except Philip Clark, Eli Myers and the Walker brothers, were 
in a position to set up house-keeping, and so were without homes, only as 
they could get employment of others. After leaving Gilbert's some found 
work with Wheton Chase, a brother-in-law of S. Phelps, who took 
charge of the trading house which Gilbert had just left. Chase had for 
several years kept a trading horse on the Cedar river, in what is now 
Cedar county, just above Rochester, for Phelps & Co. Others of the 
young men hired with Myers and Clark, making ha}', and later husking 
corn. As winter came on, however, it became more than ever necessary 
for them to have permanent quarters. A few went to Bloomington [now 
37 



582 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Muscatine], but the greater number went to New Boston, on the Missis- 
sippi, and took contracts to chop steamboat wood. Coal was not then in 
use, and boats ran exclusively on wood. These choppers built cabins in 
the low and thickly timbered bottoms, boarded themselves and made good 
wages. After they were gone our little colony was small, for about the 
same time the Indians, except some old people, went on their winter hunt, 
to be gone till spring. The number of settlers left on the north bank of 
the river did not exceed twenty, including Mesdames Chase, Lesh, Cain 
and several children, and these twenty people were scattered from Gil- 
bert's trading house to the south line of the county. 

AN INDIAN BATTLE. 

Just after Gilbert had given the treat to the Indians, already referred to, 
the Indians got up a party ostensibly to go on a hunt, but really to get 
into a fight with the Sioux. None but able-bodied young men went. 
They had drawn on their friends, the Sacs, on the Des Moines river, for 
some horses. When everything was ready they sHpped away without 
making any sensation, so far as a white man could see. This was some time 
in August. On such an expedition travel was necessarily slow, for they 
had to provide rations as they went. Some weeks went bv and no tid- 
ings came back. The Indians in camp seemed to anticipate no harm to 
their friends. One very pleasant evening in September, about 5 o'clock, 
when everything was quiet, the old Indians lying around smoking, the 
young ones enjoying themselves, a peculiar Indian shout was heard on the 
bluff north-east of the upper town. The first shout was followed by a 
half dozen others, in not very quick succession. These cries were so loud 
and distinct that although the Indian was two miles away from the lower 
town, they were heard distinctly. The effect of these shouts was most 
striking. Every Indian knew at the first what it meant. It was a mes- 
senger sent from the battle with the Sioux to bear heavy tidings to their 
friends. He had sped day and night with his message, and when the 
shouts had secured the attention of the camp, he told the story in short 
sentences, named the red warriors that were killed, gave a list of the 
wounded and the incidents and outcome of the fight. He spoke so loud 
and distinctly that all heard, and when he finished such a wail went up 
from those bereaved of fathers, husbands and sons as I never heard before 
or since; the camp was literallv a house of mourning. 

Indian women do not weep like white women, they wail, and for weeks 
they could be heard daily in secluded places wailing asif their hearts were 
broken. The war party. had been badly whipped by the Sioux, and barely 
got away with the wounded, leaving their dead to be scalped. It was 
some weeks before the main party got in. They brought the wounded 
down the Iowa river in canoes, established a hospital near the trading 
house, and put them in charge of the Medicine Man. No one else dare go 
im. Three times a day he made it hideous around there with his pow- 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 583 

wowing, beating a tin kettle and rattling a gourd with shot in it. Some 
died and a few got well. This defeat gave the Indians such a scare that 
more than six months after they paid John Gilbert $400, to build a stock- 
ade around the upper town. 

DISTINGUISHED VISITORS. 

In the fall of 1837 occurred a visit of Keokuk, Wapello, Appanoose, and 
a number of other distinguished Indians, to Poweshiek, the chief of the 
tribe that held this section. Their coming was known, but was without 
display. The visiting party rode up in single tile. Hitched their horses, 
went into Poweshiek's tent where he was seated and all sat down in a row, 
remaining for some time in silence. Then Poweshiek rose and passed the 
tobacco around, tilling Keokuk's pipe and his own. They all smoked 
awhile without saying a word. Keokuk finally broke the silence by stat- 
ing the purpose of their visit, which was to consult upon a proposition of 
the government to buy more lands. He made a speech in favor of the 
sale. This was about October 1, for the treaty making the sale then 
decided on is dated October 21, and in a few days after this meeting they 
started for Washington, Wheton Chase going as interpretor. From 
Washington they were taken through all the chief cities of the countr}^, 
and returned late in November highly pleased with all thev saw except 
President Van Buren. They were accustomed to call the President the 
*'Great Father," and expected to see a man head and shoulders bigger 
than his fellows. But when they met in Van Buren a Httle "squatty" man, 
as they called him, and bald headed at that, their contempt knew no 
bounds and was quite beyond the power of their language to express. 

The year 1837 closed without further incident of interest. The settlers 
were in theenjoyment of good health. The exodus of young men alraedy 
noted, made the settlement lonesome, as winter came, with nothing to do, 
no place to go, nothing to read and no way of hearing from the outside 
world except by going to Burlmgton or Rock Island. It was distressingly 
monotonous, especially to such a man as Judge Harris. He was active 
and well preserved, had been an active politition in Indiana, had enjoyed 
office, and to be cut off from such interests was more than he could stand 

" BE IT RESOLVED." 

Mainly on his suggestion, it was announced that a public meeting would be 
held at Gilbert's trading house, to consider the situation. The appointed 
evening came and with it Judge Harris, Dr. I. N. Lesh, EH Myers, Gilbert 
and the writer. There were also present old Jennie, a squaw who had 
Hved with the traders many years and talked good English; Gilbert got 
her now and then to wash things up, and a person called by the Indians, 
Mogawk, a tall and very black negro. The object of the meeting was 
talked over and the settlement's need of roads, bridges and mail facilities 
were discussed. The legislature of Wisconsin, for be it known we were 



584 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

then in the territory of Wisconsin, with Burlington for its capital, was in 
session, and this meeting resolved to send two delegates down forthwith, 
and it was further resolved that Judge Harris and John Gilbert should go. 
But they must have credentials and hence the proceedings must be writ- 
ten out to indicate a formal and sizable affair, but who should write them 
out? Gilbert's pen had forgotten its cunning by its long residence with 
the Indians; Lesh was well educated, but professed inexperience, and Har- 
ris was not a plain writer, so it was agreed that Harris should dictate and 
Lesh write. The result as nearly as I can recall it was about as follows: 

At a large and respectable meeting of settlers on the public lands on 
the Iowa river, held at the traping house of John Gilbert, pursuant to pre- 
vious notice, on the day of January, 183S, the following among other 

proceedings were had. The meeting was called to order by Judge Har- 
ris, on whose motion blank \\?is unanin)0usl3' elected chairman. On motion 
of John Gilbert, Dr. Isaac N. Lesh was appointed secretary. On motion of 
Dr. Lesh, a committee of three was appointed by the chairman to report 
resolutions expressive of the sense of this meeting. The chairman named 
Judge Harris, Eli Myers and John Gilbert such committee. While the 
committee retired to deliberate upon its report the meeting was ably 
addressed by several gentlemen present. [It will be observed that after the 
committee retired the meeting consisted of Mr. Felkner, Dr. Lesh, 
Mogawk and the Indian squaw.] The committee returning submitted 
the following which was unanimously adopted: 

Whereas, A large number of persons have settled on the Iowa river 
on public lands in the vicinity of John Gilbert's trading house, and 

Whereas, We have evidence that there will be a large influx to our 
settlement next spring, and 

Whereas, \s we are suffering great inconvenience from the lack of 
roads and bridges, and 

Whereas, We are without mail facilities, and 

Whereas, The legislature of this territory is now in session at Bur- 
lington, therefore 

Resolved, That two delegates be appointed by the chair whose dut}?^ it 
shall be to proceed forthwith to Burlington and use their influence with 
the legislature to have roads established at different points on the Missis 
sippi river, also to have the legislature ask congress to establish a mail 
route from Burlington to the trading house of John Gilbert, a post-office 
established there and a post-master appointed without delay. The chair 
appointed Judge Harris and Judge Gilbert such committee. 

THE first LOBBY. 

The delegates, armed with their credentials, started for Burlington the 
second day after the meeting, walking the whole distance, although the 
ground was covered with snow. Arriving they made the acquaintance of 
Gov. Henry Dodge, who treated them very kindly and made many inqui- 
ries about the new settlement and especially about the number of inhabi- 
tants. John Gilbert told him it numbered 1,.500, at which the Governor 
was very much surprised. When they returned I asked Gilbert how he 
dared tell the Governor such a story? He swore that the Governor did 
not ask him what color they were! 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 585 

The delegates jrot acquainted with many legislators, to whom our wants 
were made known, but they soon learned what we could not have other- 
wise known for several months, that congress was about to divide 
the territory of Wisconsin, establishing a new territor}' to be called 

IOWA, 

and it would be organized during the summer, and they preferred handing 
us over to the new government. 

TRICKS IN TRADE. 

I have alread}' said that late in the fall of 1837 the Indians nearly all left 
for the winter hunt. They went up the different vv^ater courses, the Iowa 
and English rivers. Old Man's creek, &c. Their practice was to go at 
once as far as the}^ intended and then hunt the ground towards home. 
They spent the fore part of the winter far up the streams and then hunted 
back by slow stages, traveling a day, going into camp, hunting and trap- 
ping as long as game was plenty, then moving on. Sometime in Febru- 
ary, 1838, an Indian came in and said the main body had got down to 
near the present Sehorn place, on Old Man's creek. Gilbert was running 
his business against odds; he had not as many goods as Chase, and so 
resolved on strategy. With a young man named Hamilton for a compan- 
ion, he concluded to pack each with fifty pounds of goods, and meeting 
the Indians, take the cream of their trade and swap before the}^ got in. 
They had to go in the night or the other establishment would find it out. 
The winter was mild and the r\ver was already open and no way to cross 
it except in a canoe which Chase kept tied up in the mouth of Gilbert's 
creek. While they were getting the packs ready Gilbert sent the writer 
down to see if the canoe was there and to visit Chase and see if the coast 
was clear. The canoe was all right. The call on Chase was made, a 
half hour spent pleasantly there, and the report was dulv made. Gilbert 
and Hamilton were ready and started at once, crossed in the canoe about 
11 p. M., and began their long tramp. Chase and his men suspected noth- 
ing till after they were gone, then they grew to thinking the evening call 
a singular thing, talked it up and were convinced there was a nigger in 
the wood-pile. A messenger was sent to see if the canoe was in its place. 
He reported it missing. Chase determined not to be beaton and at once 
built a raft of logs and took some iron-socketed pushing poles which 
belonged to a keel boat that was tied up in the creek, pushed the raft over, 
recovered the canoe, packed goods, loaded men and started them in pur- 
suit of Gilbert. The night was clear and the ground was white with 
snow% so the trail of the first party could be easily followed, and they deter- 
mined that although he had several hours the start he should not beat 
them much. They had an advantage over him in having with them 
Quota, a French half-breed, who spoke the language equal to the Indian and 
had influence with them. Gilbert reached the Indians first, but thinking the 



586 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

field was his, made no hurry about goin^ to trading, and spent much 
time in talking the thing up. When he finall}^ began to talk trade, and 
opened his goods, he chanced to look around and there to his consterna- 
tion stood Quota and his men loaded to the guards with goods. Quota 
was aggressive from the start. He told the Indians that Gilbert had been 
underhanded in starting to meet them; had stolen the canoe, and neglected 
the old Indians left at home; that his sympathies were with the whites; 
and much more of the same sort; so that when they began to barter their 
furs and pelts. Quota got more than three-fourths of them, and Gilbert 
was beaten at his own game. 

EARLY TRANSPORTATION. 

Early in the spring of 1838 Judge Harris returned to Indiana on busi- 
ness, and while there induced many of his old friends and neighbors to 
move to Iowa. Among them were Green Hill, Yale Hamilton, Gardner, 
J. Stover, a Mr. Miller, John Royal and others. The Judge returned by 
way of St. Louis, where he bought a quantity of flour and groceries. 
Chase in the meantime had sent the company's keel boat, with the furs 
and pelts he got from the Indians, to St. Louis, where it was being loaded 
with supplies for the trading house. Judge Harris got his goods on the 
same boat, and Mr. Phelps shipped for me a set of saw-mill irons also. 
The boat was towed up to the mouth of the Iowa river by a steam boat 
and was pushed the rest of the way against the current of the Iowa, with 
poles, stopping near Judge Harris's home to unload his goods, then com- 
ing to the company's new trading house on what was afterwards the 
Byington farm, and which stood many years after. 

In that year two saw mills were built, one by Judge Harris, on Old 
Man's creek, the other by Felkner & Myers, on Rapid creek. Wolcott 
was millwright of the former, and James Fo}- of the latter. 

That summer the Indians murdered Atwood. [See something about 
this under history of Lincoln township.] 



CHAPTER X.— PART 2. 



ANNALS OF OXFORD. 



Mr. M. W. Cook of Oxford township, wrote and published in the 
Oxford Jotirnal'm 1881, a series of articles on the pioneer history of his 
township, including also much that belonged to the more general history 
of the State. Mr. Cook's " Annals " contain a vast fund of most inter- 
esting and useful information, presented in a straightforward and business- 
like way, with a spice of anecdote, wit and genial humor occasionally 
intermingled. He has carefully revised and corrected it and given it to 
this historian. We only regret that limit of space compels us to eliminate 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 587 

everything which does not directly and specifically pertain to Johnson 
county. 

That portion of the Sac and Fox tribe of Indians which inhabited this 
region were under Poweshiek and Wapashashiek, the former a Sac and 
the latter a Fox. They were called by the name of Musquakas, and first 
located below Iowa City on the east side of the river in 1836, but removed 
in 1838 to a site north of the river, in which is now Monroe township, 
just north of the site of the proposed iron bridge. Two years later they 
removed to the agency near South Amana, and remained till 1843, when 
they moved on towards the setting sun. 

Though they never made Oxford township their headquarters, it was a 
lamous hunting ground for them, and one of their chiefs in speaking of 
the Clear Creek valley said that " he never expected to find its equal till 
he had passed over to the happy hunting grounds," and such is their 
attachment to this region that some of them are nearly always to be found 
even now wandering about over the old stamping ground. The vicinity of 
Dutch lake [called by them Devil's lake] was a favorite one on account 
of the excellent fishing which it afforded in great abundance. Many of 
the early settlers can testif}'- as to that too. But there is one spot that the 
old warriors of the Musquaka have reason rather to regard with horror 
than otherwise. It is on Brush run, a mile west of Homestead. Here 
Poweshiek, with the warriors of the tribe were overtaken by a band of 
Sioux when returning from a hunting expedition up the river, and most 
wofully "licked." In fact the disaster was by far the greatest that ever 
befell the band, and is yet talked of with horror by them. It occurred in 
1837, while they had their headquarters below Iowa City. 

But a few of the leaders of the natives deserve special notice. 

Poweshiek, chief of the Sacs, in the band was much like Keokuk, and 
was regarded by all as the finest specimen of the native ever seen in this 
region. He was a strictly honorable man, and had a large share of those 
characteristics that made up the " manly man," and the desirable neigh- 
bor. He was a " brave " too, that is, he had won distinction by his deeds 
of valor on the field of battle. 

Wapashashiek was the Fox chief, and was much less intimate with the 
white people, though we never heard of any bad feeling existing between 
them. 

Some people have a distinct recollection of Kishkekosh, and think him 
to have been a chief. He was only a leader and a bad one. He was a 
natural orator, a brave, a perfect specimen of a physical man, but a leader 
of the bad element. He may be compared to a communist leader among 
us. Totokonoc was the old prophet of Black Hawk, and noted amongst 
the Indians, but little known amongst the white people. Clear Creek 
was called by them Copiheenoc, and the name was for sometime per- 
petuated in that of Copi P. O., but even that has disappeared, and this 



688 HISTORY OP' JOHNSON COUNTY. 

little sketch may be the last notice of the name so dear to so many people 
less than half a century age. The name Clear Creek was given to the 
stream by Col. Trowbridge. 

In 1840 a new census was taken and the county of Johnson is credited 
with a population of 1,504, an increase of more than five hundred per cent 
in two years. The population of the territory was 43,144. Increase 
about one hundred per cent. 

Under Harrison's administration John Chambers was appointed Gov- 
ernor, and the territorial capital established at Iowa City, where it remained 
till sometime after the organization of the State government, the capitol 
building now forming one of the State University buildings. 

In November, 1842, a convention to take the necessary steps for a state 
government met at Iowa City, but the proposition was voted down by the 
people the next year. 

In October of 1 842, a treaty was made with the Sacs and Foxes, by 
which they sold to the United States, all their lands in Iowa, for which 
they were to receive an annual interest on the sum of $800,000. The 
government also assumed all the debts of the tribe, amounting in the aggre- 
gate to $258,566. 

The settlement of Oxford township dates awav back in territorial times. 
The pioneers were James Douglass, Sr., Ebenezer Douglass, Charles 
Marvin, Henry Brown, Bronson Brown, and William Brown. The 
Douglasses, Marvin and one of the Browns brought families; all came in 
1839. James Douglass settled on the old Douglass place, Ebenezer on the 
Hamilton place, and Marvin on section 24, Oxford township. The Browns 
located on the premises now occupied by the farm of Mr. C. Yenter, 
where they lived till 1842, when they sold their claim to Jonathan Talbott, 
who bought the mill on Clear Creek in 1849, on the site now occupied by 
the Stickler factory. In this early period also came the Hulls, Porter and 
John, and located near the Douglasses. 

John L. Heartwell, now familiarly known as "Uncle John," also settled 
in that locality, but soon returned to Ohio, coming back, however, in 1852» 
and locating permanently two miles north of the present site of Oxford, 
where he lived till he became a citizen of the village. In 1841 or 1842, 
the first business firm in Oxford township was established just below 
Dutch lake. The stock of the firm was a barrel of whiskey, the business 
dealing it out to the Indians. The members were Stone, Sprague & 
Lindley. They did not prosper, we are happy to be informed. 

A few words relative to these early settlers will not be amiss. James 
Douglass always remained upon the premises where he first located, being 
the first postmaster of Copi post-office, established in 1844. His death 
occurred in 1854, and that of his wife, Fannie, in 1879. John, Cyrus, 
James, David, and William are his sons. 

Ebenezer Douglass purchased the saw-mill of John Moore in 1853» 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 589 

located iust east of township line. He died in 1854, and left one son, 
Joseph, now residing at Tiffin, and one daughter, Mary, wife of H. Ham- 
ilton. Aunt Sarah still survives, living with her daughter, Mrs. Hamilton. 

Excepting a " trail " sometimes passed over by vehicles in procuring 
furs from the agency in Iowa county, there were no roads. The pioneers 
made their roads as they came, following the "divides," where practicable 
and when a stream had to be crossed, it was done by detaching the team 
and running the wagon in by hand, and hitching to the end of the tongue 
and drawing it out on the other side. 

Provisions enough to last a few weeks were usually brought by the 
settlers, and when that was exhausted, a new supply could only 
be obtained by making a trip to Illinois, where meal could be obtained, 
that being the "staff' of life" in those times. And when inclemency of 
weather, or other causes prevented their going down into " Egypt," 
other means must be devised for obtaining breadstuff, and many a 
time the pioneer has feasted on corn-cake made of meal ground 
in a colfee-mill, or pounded in an iron kettle. Indeed, the settler who 
owned a "big kettle " was considered particularly fortunate if he also had 
a wagon with a big "king bolt," the head of which was used in crushing 
the corn into meal. 

One thing, however, was much to the advantage of the pioneer, for 
with his trusty rifle he was sure of a supply of meat, venison and turkey, 
which were nearly always a part of the settlers' meal. Teams going to 
the river for supplies brought the mail from Bloomington (Muscatine) 
and the settlers did not entirely lose sight of things in the busy world 
from which they had separated themselves to lay the foundation for a new 
empire. 

One thing worthy of mention the writer has observed about the first 
settlements here as well as elsewhere, nearly all were made in the 
^'woods," and often the new settler might be seen painfully laboring to 
clear a field in the woods when thousands of acres lay adjoining which 
might have been prepared for a crop with one tenth of the labor required 
to prepare the woodland. None doubted the fertility of the soil on the 
prairies, but the force of habit led him to select the timber land with all the 
labor required to clear it off and the inconvenience of its cultivation after- 
wards for their beginning. 

We find that as early as 1842 a school was kept at the house of James 
Douglass, 'the teacher being Mrs. Berry, wife of the Indian gunsmith, 
who had a shop in the upper end of the grove bearing his name on the 
present site of the "Cook farm." His name is prepetuated in that of 
the stream flowing through Oxford, sometimes called the " Raging 
Rhine." 

Orrin Lewis made a claim and settled where the Remley farm now is. 
He was known bv the nickname of "Old Specimen," from a peculiarity 



59'!' HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

of conversation. He soon sold his claim to James Simpson, who also 
sold in a few yt^ars to Thomas or Thompson. Henry Sprinfrmire located 
where the Brennans now live, and about lS4i Benjamin Williams located 
on the place now occupied by Peter Williams. Mrs. Williams still sur- 
vives and is now Mrs. Merritt, well known in Oxford. 

Of the neighbors we might with propriety speak of every one within 
ten miles, for persons living at that distance then were regarded as near 
neighbors. And it would not take much space to name them all, but we 
will mention only those who were well known and remembered. On the 
east side of Tiffin were the Spragues and Spicers, and Amosa Doud. 
Further on were Sam. Huston of the Johnson place, John Headley on the 
Wolf place, Gillilands, Keelers and Nathaniel Fellows, down as far as 
the Isaac Dennis place. On the south, Burns and Simpson on Old Man's 
creek were nearest, and north to one within ten miles, while west the 
"noble red man" held undisputed sway, till his removal in 1843. In 
regard to dangers and privation, the pioneers may be said to have been 
particularly fortunate. The Indians had just been taught by the Black 
Hawk war, that in a conflict with the pale faces, they would be sure to 
come out "second best," and hke Jack Falstaft', an Indian always consid- 
ers "discretion to be the better part of valor." Hence they were very 
quiet exxept when drunk, when they are no worse than the average 
white man in the same condition. Of fierce wild animals very few were 
seen, though the startling cry of the panther was often heard in the groves 
and along the streams, though we are inclined to think that neither pan- 
ther nor bear was ever killed by a white man in the township. 

As early as '40 or '41, the mill upon the present site of the Stickler 
factory was built and began to grind grain, being the jfirst erected in the 
county, and almost the first west of the Mississippi, away from that 
stream. 

The territorial road was located to the Douglass place in 1841 or 1842, 
and pushed on from that place as soon as the Indian title was extinguished, 
Marengo being located in 1843, and settlement begun. Copi P. O. was 
established in 1844, and James Douglass made postmaster. The location 
of this road through Oxford township, was the first great boom which it 
received. It became the Grand Trunk line across the state, and no mat- 
ter if people crossed at Muscatine, Davenport or Camanche, they were 
sure to take the Grand Trunk line, and on the west it diverged in as many 
directions, so that if an immigrant was bound for either Iowa, Poweshiek, 
Jasper, Polk, Story, Marshall, Tama or Benton county, he would come 
through Iowa City, and on the Grand Trunk. 

Quite a settlement sprang up in Iowa county about the present site of 
Homestead, as early as 1844, and of those early settlers "Uncle Billy 
Spicer" yet remains. He settled where he now lives and put up a black- 
smith shop, the first in Iowa county. Some of the first entries of land in 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 



591 



Oxford township, were made at the land office at Dubuque, but about 
1845, an office was established at Iowa City, and remained there till the 
removal of the State Capital to Des Moines. There was no government 
land in Oxford township later than 1855. About 1852, there was a per- 
fect scramble for land, not only by settlers, but "speculators," that is men 
with capital to invest, began to realize that Iowa land was "going up like 
a rocket," and seeing a chance for a speedy increase in the value of land 
here, bought land by wholesale, sometimes not even taking the pains to 
see the tract before purchasing, but usually their investments proved to 
be profitable, though owing to a kind of panic beginning in 1857, some 
of them waited much longer than they had anticipated before selling 
their land. 

The year 1851 is a memorable one with the old settlers, being some- 
times refered to, even now, as "the rainy season." An old settlei" who was 
here at that time told the writer that it rained for fifteen consecutive days^ 
or that the sun was not seen for that length of time, and we are not sure 
as to which of the expressions was used, nor does it make much difference, 
either one giving the same idea of the "deluge." The Iowa river was 
much higher than has been since known, and it is said that barrels of 
flour were loaded into a skift'from the second story of Clark's mill, stand- 
ing on the site of the Coralville mill. 

The removal of the Indians was followed by such an abundance of 
game that to relate all would endanger the writer's "reputation for ver- 
acity," but we will risk a good deal in that direction while so many of the 
old settlers remain to certify to the truthfulness of our narative. Dur- 
ing the winters of 1851-2, '52-3, '53 4, the father and a brother of the 
writer killed 2U(> deer, one killing 101, and the other ninety-nine, and that 
too with ordinary rifles. With such arms as could now be procured they 
could easily have doubled the number. Though the Cooks were the 
"boss" shootists they were not by any means the only ones, and others of 
that time could boast of many a deer and turkey which fell before their 
unerring aim. We use this term, unerring^ advisedly and to show that 
we do so, will just state a few facts which will make some of the "nim- 
rods" of to-day stare with wonder. Either of the persons referred to 
above could with a common rifle bring down a deer at any distance within 
the range of the piece, running at full speed, as readily as if it stood still, 
and by far the larger part of those killed were shot while running. It 
was not called marvelous shooting then, but it has hardly ever been 
excelled; nor were the two mentioned the only ones who could do this; 
there were several others probably equally skillful, but who devoted less 
time to shooting. 

Another thing worthy of mention is that with rifles, the ordinary range 
of which was but little more than twenty rods, they killed many deer at 
twice that distance by skillful handling of the piece and elevating to make 



592 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

it "carry" the required distance. The abundance of game ma}' be inferred 
from the following incident. The father of the writer returning one 
evening from a day's hunting remarked: "Well it does beat all I ever 
saw. I counted eighteen deer all in sight at one time, this afternoon." 
From an elevated spot about the east line of the Eddy farm he had seen 
that number — not in a herd, but scattered over the hillsides and bottoms, 
singly and in groups of two, three or four. 

Previous to 1850, a substantial mill was erected on the site of the pre- 
sent Coralville mills. It was at first called the "Company Mill," being 
built by a company of Iowa Cit}' men, and Mr. Combe of Oxford was a 
member of the company, and the builder of the mill. In 1851, it was 
Clark's mill, having passed into the hands of E. Clark, a member of the 
company, and it was afterwards owned and operated by Clark and Kirk- 
wood. In 1852-3-4, there was much sickness and suffering amongst the 
"new-comers," and consequently some depression of spirits, as it was 
thought that the country would prove permanently unhealthy. The 
principal part of the sickness was fevers of the intermittent type, and so 
strong was the prejudice against "quinine" that many preferred to suffer 
on rather than use a remedy that would get up a volcanic eruption to 
one's head, and it was popularly supposed to permanently injure the con- 
stitution. Some of the w(>rst cases, however, demanded the attendance 
of a physician, and Drs. Vogt, Sanders and White of Iowa Cit}', had quite 
a practice in Oxford township. 

Like the Pilgrim fathers, the first setders in Oxford gave early atten- 
tion to matters of education. In the winter of 1851-2 a school was kept in 
a room of Mr. Williams' house. Miss Anna Mason, sister of Mrs. Lewis 
Doty, being the teacher. This was the first school kept in the township, 
except one kept by Mrs. Berry In 181:3, at the Douglass place. 

During the fall of 1852, however, steps were taken toward the erection 
of a school house, and by the private enterprise of four men, namely 
Lewis Doty, Thomas Heifner, Chas. Mason, Sr., and Benjamin Williams, 
a house was built, occupying a place near what is known as the "Wolf 
corner," being just west of the residence of L. R. Wolf. T e building 
was a small log structure, which was quite comfortable and continued to 
be used for school purposes and as a place of public worship till about 
1861, when the school house in district number two was built. When 
this first school house was erected no organization of any district had been 
made, and no levy of any tax for school purposes. When the building 
was raised it was christened "Edge Wood" from its location, and was so 
known far and wide as the place of worship of the Methodists. 

The Douglas house, which had been noted for many years as a way- 
side "inn" was discontinued as a public house about 1854 or '55, the Erie 
house and Kentucky house becoming the popular stopping places. The 
former kept by J.J. Harlwell was built in 1853, or '54, and opened as a 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 593 

public house, becoming at once popular, being frequently spoken of as the 
half-way house, fifteen miles from Iowa City and Marengo. The Ken- 
tucky house was kept by E. H. Morton, a Kentuckian, who began to keep 
hotel in a log shanty 14x16 in 1851, and often had as many as could find 
sleeping room on the floor. His room increased and patronage with it 
till he had plenty of both. Peter Brant now occupies the place. 

Immigrants to Oxford continued to arrive and in 1854 and 1855, the 
nucleus of our German settlement was formed by the arrival of the 
Klenks, the Wagners, and Jacob Floerchinger. Of these families and 
relatives and friends who followed them here, there are now quite a host 
forming a substantial element in the population of Oxford. In the fall of 
1855, Benjamin Williams erected a saw mill just at the lower end of 
Dutch Lake which was expected to be of great benefit to the public, but 
Williams died and the mill passed into the hands of the Amana Society, 
then just beginning their settlement on the site of the village of Amana, 
where they moved the saw mill and where it may be seen yet doing effect- 
ive work. In the spring of 1856, the Doty's bought a saw mill and 
erected it ntar the present home of John Delaney, where it was operated 
for several years, sawing great quantities of fencing and framing timber 
being one of the great factors in the prosperity of the township. Besides 
the timber which was sawed by the Dot}^ saw mill, we are sorry to add, 
that it sawed ofl' a hand for a worthy young man, Mr. Cyrus Andrews. 
The mill was bought and removed to Pleasant Valley in 1860 by Isaac 
Hilborn. 

There were no school districts, and Clear Creek and Oxford townships 
(then all Clear Creek) constituted but a single road district, and the citi- 
zens of what is now the West District of Oxford were called upon to work 
as far down as Tiffin. Mail was obtained from Copi P. O., at the Bond 
place, or from Homestead. The farms were new and of course the 
amount of land in cultivation was comparatively small and the manner of 
doing the work was entirely different from what is seen now. Neither 
reapers nor mowers were used in Oxford township before 1856, grain 
being cut with a cradle, and grass with a scythe. Corn was cultivated 
with the old single shovel or a small diamond plow. The term "dia- 
mond" was used on account of the shape of the mould board. With 
these plows, farmers with a single horse went along first on one side of 
the row and then on the other; and finally, if desiring to do neat work, 
once more to take out the middle making three times through the field 
for each row. 

Two and a half acres made a huge day's work under those circum- 
stances. And so we might go on and enumerate the many things in 
which farm labor of those days differed fi-om that of now, but forbear lest 
our readers think we are copying from a history of the " dark ages." As 
Copi P. O. had been removed to Bondea in 1854, Oxford township had 



S94 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

■no postoffice. But Homestead had been established in 1853 or '54-, and 
as there was a rule of the department that postoffices on such routes 
must be no less than live miles apart, it was a very close shave to get an 
office in the township. At last, however; all difficulties were overcome 
and the papers sent on to the department and came back in October, 1855, 
•establishing Oxford postoffice at the Erie House, with J. J. Hartwell, P. 
M., where the office remained till 1860, when the mail began to be car- 
ried by the M. & M. R. R. . 

In the census of 1856, Oxford township is credited with 73 voters, but 
not over fifty voted at the first election, and of those voters we can only 
■call to mind the following persons who yet remain as residents of Oxford 
township : Lewis Doty, J. J. Hartwell, C. Yenter, Thomas Harper, W. 
H. Cotter, H. A. Cook, David Clodfelder, W. H. Hilborn and Hezekiah 
Hamilton. And of those who were residents but not voters, we can name 
Mrs. Merritt, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Yenter, Mrs. Cook, Mrs. Foster, Peter 
Williams, M. W. Cook, Wm. Eddy, L. Harington, John Wagner, Cyrus 
Douglass, James Douglass, Jr., C. A. Wagner, Jacob Floerchinger, E. A. 
Doty, Charles Doty, and Ed. Heifner. Yet the population was 309. 

A copy of the census of 1856, is before us and gives much information 
that will be interesting to our readers : 

Population of the State 519,055 

No. of townships 81 

Population of Johnson County 14,475 

Dwelling houses 54 

No. of families 54 

Native voters 61 

Naturalized 13" 

Aliens 6 

Owners of land 51 

Acres improved land 1,678 

Acres of spring wheat 228 

Bushels harvested , 4,044 

Acres of corn 582 

Bushels harvested 26,040 

No. of hogs marketed 363 

No. of cattle marketed 55 

Pounds of butter made 3,890 

Pounds of wool produced 128 

Of the people there were : 

Farmers 80 

Carpenters 10 

Blacksmiths 3 

Laborers 3 

Wagon makers 1 

Engineers 1 

Sawyers ... 1 

Of the nativity of the inhabitants we make the following note : Ohio, 
S5; Iowa, 51; Pennsylvania, 40; New York, 33; Germany, 23; Ire- 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 595 

land, 18; Indiana, 12; Kentucky, 8; Connecticut, 8; Illinois, 6; Canada, 
4; Michigan, 2; Vermont, Massachusetts, England, Scotland, North 
Carolina, Missouri, and Tennessee, 1 each. 

Thus it will be seen that our people were nearly all engaged in agri- 
culture, and there were more owners of land than heads of families, but 
that there was not quite an average of thirty acres in cultivation for each 
family. This gives a good idea of the condition of things. A beginning 
had been made, but as yet it was only a beginning. 

It will be seen that while wheat averaged above the crops of recent 
years, corn fell considerably below. Ohio laid the foundation and still 
retained the lead in the population, but Iowa came next with fifty-one 
natives, mostly born in the township, being about one-sixth of the whole 
population. Quite a goodly number come from the east, too, of whom 
Governor Kirkwood once said, " they make first-rate citizens when they 
get the varnish rubbed off." Of foreigners there were less than ten per 
cent., while at present they number from thirty to thirty-five per cent, of 
the population. 

In 1859, the first railroad route was explored through Oxford township, 
and after surveys and re-surveys, for about a year, the work began west 
of Iowa City, and went along slowly, being several months in building 
from Iowa City to Marengo. And still Oxford existed only in imagina- 
tion. A tank was built to supply water for the use of the engines, but 
there was a deadness about the place that nothing could overcome. 

In the spring of 1860, while all kinds of staple merchandise cost nearly 
double what they can be procured for to-day, wheat would only bring 
thirty cents, corn fourteen or fifteen cents, and oats ten or twelve cents. 
Nor was this all. All the money paid out by the railroad, or by dealers 
in grain or other produce, was bank notes, liable to be worthless in twenty- 
four hours. In fact it looked as if it was systematically planned by the 
railroad and the banks to swindle the people, and with all the increase of 
conveniences, it seemed as if there w^as but little improvement in the con- 
dition of the settlers. 

For several years after the building of the road, there was but two 
trains daily each way, being " mixed," that is freight trains, with one or 
two coaches for the accommodation of travel. But it must be remem- 
bered, too, that the road was only finished for a short distance west of 
Marengo, till 1865. 

In 1855 the second school-house was erected, on the State road near 
the present residence of Peter Brant. This was a public school-house, 
and there were now three districts organized in the township, the first 
being on the "bottom," their school-house having been erected by private 
enterprise. The third district made all the needful preparations to erect 
a building, even to getting the material on the ground, when it was dis- 
covered that the funds had been squandered by the treasurer, and that 



596 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

nothing could be recovered, so the project was abandoned. The house 
was to have been built near the present site of the school-house in No. 7. 
The school-house near the Brant place was destroyed by fire in 1868 or 
'69, and a new one erected, some distance farther west than the old one. 
This old one was the most notable school-house in the township, being a 
kind of literary headquarters for the entire community. Here the " Oxford 
Lyceum " held its sessions for several years. Dr. G. M. Proctor, a phy- 
sician who had located in the township, usually took the lead in these dis- 
cussions. He was the first resident physician. He was succeeded by 
Dr. W. L. Hustin, who came in December, 1859. 

In 1867, Oxford township had one postoffice, and it was called Nemora. 
Just how it happened that the change of name occurred is a matter that 
very few persons know anything about, but that such change occurred 
while E. C. Vaugh was P. M., is a fact known to many, and it is also 
well known that the name was changed back to Oxford at the emphatic 
demand of the people. Next we find that there were 134 dwelling 
houses, and a population of 749, of whom 150 were voters, an increase 
of more than 100 per cent since the organization of the township. Dur- 
ing the same time the population of Johnson county had only increased 
about fifty per cent, so that the showing for Oxford was very good so far 
as population was concerned. 

In area of land under cultivation and amount of produce, the increase 
was still greater, while conveniences of every kind were multiplied, and 
the log cabins were replaced by substantial dwellings, with all the com- 
forts of the farm-houses of our eastern neighbors. There is an opinion 
prevailing among Iowa farmers that during the last years of the war and 
for a year or two after the close, that there was a kind of "golden age'*' 
for farmers, though it is doubtful if such is the case when we consider 
everything. True, the land was new and the crops produced large, and 
it seems as if prices were immense, for wheat brought $2.50 per bushel^ 
and other produce in proportion ; but then everythmg that farmers bought 
was fully as high, proportionately, as the produce which they sold. So 
the advantage only extended to those who had old debts to pay, and this^ 
is one instance where it was an advantage to have debts to pay. 

Rapid as the progress of the town of Oxford was during the period 
covered by the previous chapter, that of the township was hardly less. 

The census report of 1875 gives the following items of information of 
general interest: 

Number of dwellings 182 

" inhabitants 1009 

Natives of Iowa 445 

Number of voters ; 215 

Average increase since 1869, from 20 to 25 per cent. Increase in the 
county during same period about ten per cent. A ijood showing for 
Oxford. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 597 



Acres improved land 12,^ 

Bushels wheat 61,853 

« corn 197,687 

oats 23,021 

" potatoes 7,167 

Being an increase of from fifty to sixty per cent, in six years. 

Apple trees in bearing 1,034 

" " not bearing 4,206 

Bushels apples 430 

Pounds grapes 14,317 

Gallons sorghum 1,104 

Tons hay 1,410 

Number of horses and mules 632 

" milch cows 659 

" other cattle 1,234 

" cattle sold for slaughter 293 

" hogs on hand 2,642 

" " sold for slaughter 2,330 

Pounds of butter 31,132 

A few words relative to the Grangers or Patrons of Husbandry will be 
in order. This societ}' had in Oxford township three granges or lodges, 
one of which held its meetings at the school-house in district No. 11, 
another in No. 6, and another at Oxford. 

In 1874 a "joint stock company," composed of members of several 
granges in the vicinity of Oxford, was formed, and erected two buildings 
at Oxford, one to be used for a general store, the other as an agricultural 
warehouse. 

The store w^as opened and continued to do business for some three 
years, and the general impression has been that it was not a great success. 
At all events, the store was discontinued, and the "company" dissolved, 
the property being sold to Mr. McCandlessin 1879. The buildings are now 
occupied by Robinson's drug store, and Mrs. Heartwell's millinery estab- 
lishment. 

In 1872, Wilson and Estabrook began to deal in coal, which began at 
that time to be used, and has now nearly superseded wood as an article 
of fuel in the town of Oxford. A list of Oxford's business houses in 1881 : 
General stores, 5; grocery, 1; hardware 3; drugs and medicines, 2; millin- 
ery and notions, 3; jewelry and music, 1; books and stationer}-, 1; furni- 
ture, 1; undertakers, 2; flower and feed, 1; meat market, 1; bakery and 
confectionery, 1; livery stables, 2; lumber 'yard, 1; coal yard, 1 ; brick 
yard, 1; barber shop, 1; picture gallery, 1; flour mill, 1; hotels, 3; news- 
papers, 2; physicians and surgeons, 3; ministers, 4; lawyer, 1; notaries 
public, 2; dentist, 1 ; music teachers, 5; milHners, 4; dressmakers, 6; agri- 
38 



598 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

cultural implement dealers, 4; grain dealers, 5; stock buyers, 3; machine 
shop, 1; blacksmith shops, 4; tin shop, 1; carpenters and joiners, 4; wagon 
makers, 3; harness shop, 1; shoemaker shops, 3; elevator, 1; grain 
houses, 2; corn shellers, 4; teamsters and draymen, 4; milk dealer, 1; and 
saloons 6. There was shipped from Oxford station on the C. R. I. &. P. 
R. R., from Sept. 1, 1880, to Sept. 1, 1881, as follows: Live stock, 121 
cars; corn, 43fJ cars; wheat, 21 cars; other grain, 59 cars. And in addi- 
tion to this large quantities of potatoes, butter, eggs, seeds and miscella- 
neous articles aggregating many car loads. 

The area included in the region for which Oxford is the commercial 
point is not confined to Oxford township, but extends several miles in all 
directions, notably to the south, and southwest into the finest agricultural 
regions of Johnson and Iowa counties. 



CHAPTER X.— PART 



CHRONICLES OF CLEAR CREEK. 

BY MRS . MABY A . HAMILTON . 

[Compiled and written especially for this volume:] 
To those worthy pioneers and good citizens, Messrs. Bryan Dennis, J. 
M. Douglass, J. J. Shephardson, Geo. Dennison, J. D. Calony, E. Abrams, 
J. R. Willis, Hon. Rolla Johnson, Hon. Geo. Paul, Elder Ragan, Rev 
Pugh and to Mesdames Dennis, Sarah L. Douglass and EUinor Colany, 
are due the grateful thanks of the writer for their generous aid and co-op- 
eration in preparing these sketches. 

REMINISCENCES OF THE EARLY SETTLERS. 

Jonathan Sprague staked out his claim on the piece of land as the farm 
now owned by Bryan Dennis, Esq., and built for his family his little home 
of logs in the grove adjoining the cultivated fields on the west, which was 
then, and for years after known as the Sprague Grove settlement, from 
Bloomington [Muscatine] on the east as far west as emigration reached. 
He came here in 1839, from Ohio; was father-in-law of Mr. John Hart- 
well, now living in Oxford, and who, with his wife and family lived for 
some time in this grove. Sprague's claim was on section 29, range 80 
north, 7 west. 

James Douglass came from Ohio in 1839; settled in Oxford township, 
just west of the township line, where he resided until he died, and was 
buried in Tiffin cemetery. His wife survived him a number of years, 
living on the same farm till a short time before her death. She moved to 
Oxford, where she died, and was buried beside her husband in Tiffin 
cemetery. 

In the lasi of May, 1839, Ebenezer Douglass, wife and family, from 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 591^ 

Ohio, settled on a claim adjoining this township line on the west, now con- 
stitutincj the farm owned by Hezekiah Hamilton, whose wife is a daugh- 
ter of Ebenezer Douglass, Mr. Douglass died IS , and 

was buried in Tiffin cemetery. His wife, " aunt Sarah," as she is affec- 
tionately called b}^ the neighbors, many of whom have known and loved 
her during her sojourn of forty-three 3-ears in this vicinity, is still living in 
an honort^d old age, making her home with her son, J. M. Douglass and 
family. 

John N. Headly and Sam'l Hueston came together on April 6, 1S39, 
from Ohio. Headly settled on a claim on Sec. 27, Range 7, where Wm. 
Wolf now lives, and Hueston settled on the farm now owned by Mr. 
Perry Tantlinger, Sec. 28. Mr. Hueston now lives at Koszta, Iowa 
county. Mr. Headly is dead and his wife is married again and now lives 
near Koszta. 

Joshua Switzer came to Libert}- township, Johnson county, in 183S; to 
this township in 1839: lived here four years; moved back to Liberty 
township. 

David Switzer (his brother) came from Indiana in 1838, and took up a 
claim on Sec. 1, Township 80 N., 7 W. It was there that the first dam in 
the county was built and first mill erected, in the spring and summer of 
1839, and was in successful operation in October of the same year. The 
dam is now known as the Strickler Woolen Mills, although this latter 
property has been removed to Nebraska. 

Mrs. M. A. Dennis (now McConnell) and her three children, Bryan 
Dennis, I. V. Dennis and Adaline Dennis, now Mrs. A. J. Bond, from 
Ohio settled in this township April 6, 1839, on the farm now known as the 
John Porter farm. She was subsequently married to John McConnell, 
who died April 19, IS-IO, and she has since made her home with her son, 
Bryan Dennis. She still lives [Sept. 20, 1882,] at the honored old age of 
85, loved and respected by all who know her. 

Bryan Dennis came to this township with his mother in 1839; was 
married to x\gnes J. McConnell, October 30, 1844, in Iowa City, by W. 
R. Talbott. Bought the Sprague claim, moved his young bride thereon, 
and there established a home noted for its comfort and hospitality far and 
wide. Mr. Dennis was a man of note among the early settlers, aiding in 
public counsel and objects of general welfare from his boyhood — a posi- 
tion of honor, trust and usefulness he has never abandoned. 

George Dennison came from Illinois with his family April 12, 1839, and 
settled in Penn township, which was then in Clear Creek precinct. 
Moved to where John Brant now lives in 1840; moved to Bloomington 
(Muscatine) 1846; moved back to Penn township, 1850; to where he 
now lives in 1852, and where, after so much moving, they — he and his 
wife — expect to end their days. Sturdy and independent, they cling to 
the customs and traditions of other days. To them we are deeply 
indebted for facts and reminiscences of early times. 



600 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Henry Springmeyer came from Germany to Iowa City in 1838 or '39; 
was married in 1842 by a Catholic bishop at a private house, as there was 
no Catholic church erected in Iowa City at that time. Came to their 
present homestead in what is now Clear Creek township in 1851- at that 
time part of Union township. They reared a family of eight children, two 
of whom still reside here, Mrs. Robert Anthony, and Henry J. Spring- 
meyer. The latter now Hves at Linn Grove farm, near his old home. 
He was married to Miss R. W. Denney, September 16, 1866. They 
have a family of eight children — the only family in this township with 
seven successive sons. Of course the seventh son is destined to be a phy- 
sician (?). 

The Denny family came to Iowa in 186], being driven from near Mem- 
phis, Missouri, by rebel guerrillas. Escaped with sick wife and children, 
left all else to be destroyed. The wife and mother died soon after her 
arrival, from effects of excitement and the journey, but was greatly comforted 
to leave her family in a free country, and that she could be buried in a 
state where the chains of slavery were never felt. 

Hon. Geo. Paul came to this township in 1843; married a daughter of 
H. H. Winchester. Full particulars concerning his notable career will be 
found elsewhere in this volume. 

George Dennison; 1839 in the county; in the township in 1843. 
Jackson Sanders, 1842. 

Samuel Lovejoy and James Stone, both young men, came in 1840. 
Joe Brown, 1841. 
James Montgomery, 1842. 
Jarvis and Jackson Frost, 1841. 

Lyman Frost, senior, uncle to Frost Bros., 1840; Lyman Frost, junior, 
(son), 1842. 

Henry Usher, blacksmith, with first shop in Sprague's grove, 1841. 
Tom Spicer and family, 1841. 

In 1843 came the Keelers and the Kings, and two Shepardsons (J. J. 
and N.) came in 1842 to Penn township, 

Virgil Lancaster, 1848, a widower with a large family of girls— much 
appreciated in the new settlement. 
Wm. Lancaster, 1843. 

Yale Hamikon and family, and son-in-law and daughter, and Wm. Mas- 
sey and family came to Liberty township in 1845, also to this township, 
1845. 

Wesley Reynolds and wife, a son-in-law and daughter of Yale Hamil- 
ton, settled here the previous year on the farm on which they have since 
lived. 

J. R. Willis came to this county in 1841 ; settled in the township, 1845. 
He was a man of unusual strength, and was remarkable for feats of activ- 
ity. He could hold 100 pounds with one hand stretched out horizontally, 
and could jump 16 feet at a stand-still jump. He was married in Febru- 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 601 

ary, 1841, to Rebecca Lancaster, who died in September, 1854. He mar- 
ried again, and this second wife dying, was married the third time, the 
lady still living. He had three children by his first wife, one of whom» 
Mary Alice Gruwell, is now living in Kansas. 

Constantine Evans, from Kentucky, in 1843. 

John McConnell, a widower with family of 8 children, mostly grown, 
came in 1840, and bought a claim just east of the Abrams cheese factory; 
still known as the John McConnell farm. Mrs. Bryan Dennis is a daugh- 
ter of his; also Mrs. Wm. K. Talbott, whose labors as one of the first 
teachers in Iowa City are well remembered as are those of her husband, 
the founder of Snethen Seminary at Iowa City in 1844. 

Isom Holler, in 1845; quite a rough and disreputable character. He 
had a reputation for being quarrelsome, and kept it up by beating his wife 
and family on any or no provocation. 

Spicer Jones, now living in Louisa county, settled here in 1839. 

James Hollo well from Michigan, 1840. 

John Conns, father-in-law of Wash. Hulburt, 1843. 

In the fall of 1839 Archibald Gilliland first came to Clear Creek town- 
ship, leaving his family behind until he prepared them a home. He bought 
a large claim in four sections, but built his home in section 26, township 80, 
range 7, on the site where G. W. Watson now lives. He came from Illi- 
nois directly, but from Pennsylvania originally. He boarded at Mrs. Den- 
nis' — now McConnell — for some time and worked at his trade. Moved 
his family to Iowa City from Illinois in 1840, where he remained for two 
years to give his family the privileges of schools, then settled on his claim in 
1842, where he resided until he died. His claim embraced a farm of 500 
acres — a large farm for those days. He was county commissioner for 
three years, and justice of the peace for quite a number of years; and it 
was then considered remarkable that in all that time he never had a suit 
brought before him, spending days at a time to reconcile disagreeing par- 
ties, rather than neighbor should go to law with neighbor. He was an 
active politician, of the democratic school of politics, but took earnest sides 
in favor of "no license," during the agitation of that subject. He died in 
1852, leaving to his family a handsome property, accumulated by his thrift 
and economy. His wife survived him thirteen years. His family con- 
sisted of nine children, six of whom are now living. These are James 
Gilliland, living in Madison township, blind by accident. For thirty-three 
years he has, with unequaled industry and ingenuity, made his way in the 
world and provided abundantly for his family. He guides and directs 
farming operations for others, and does much work by the wonderfully 
acute sense of touch that would seem almost impossible, such as hoeing 
garden, pitching on or oft' a load, repairing fences, trimming trees, &c., 
&c. His farm has one of the largest and finest orchards in that section of 
the country, and abounds in all manner of small fruits. His family con- 
sists of his wife, two sons and adopted daughter. 



602 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Mrs. Elenor Colany, wife of Charles Colany, who with their family of 
seven children, mostly grown, constitute a family of whose merits the 
least is the fact that Mr. Colany pays the heaviest tax in the township. 

Freeman Gilliland lives in Shelby, Shelby county — five children. 

Mrs. Millie Colany, wife of J. D. Colany — two sisters married two 
brothers — citizens highly esteemed for their integrity and moral worth; 
five children. 

Mrs. Ettie Brown lives in Greene county; five children. 

Andrew Gilliland, Poweshiek county; one child. These are the 
descendants of Archibald Gilliland and wife — worthy descendants of wor- 
thy ancestors. 

Nathaniel Scales, from Tennessee, came to the county in 1840, in the 
township in 18-44 or '45; still resides on the same place, in the eastern 
part of the township; a man ot'much means and influence. 

John McConnell was born in 1785, in Virginia; came to Iowa in 1839; 
to this township in 1840; was a widower with eight children, mostly 
grown. Staked out his claim on land still known as the John McConnell 
farm, where he lived till his death, April 19, 1846. 

He was married to Mrs. Mary Ann Dennis in 1841. Those of his chil- 
dren now living are Mrs. Jane Westbrooke, Joliet, Ills., Mrs. H. A. Tal- 
bott, Woodhull — her husband. Rev. Wm. K. Talbott, a Pi-esbyterian min- 
ister. The Medley, published in Iowa City, Iowa territory, June, 1846, 
contained the following notice of Mr. John McConnell: 

DIED. 

'■'■ Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.'''' 

In Johnson county, April 19, after about three days' illness, Mr. John 
McConnell, aged 61 years. The deceased was one of the first settlers 
and a regent of the Iowa State University. He had performed the office 
of Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church for twenty-five years past in 
various places in which he had resided." 

May 10, his daughter, Miss Isabella McConnell, also died, aged 24 
years. She yielded her life a voluntary sacrifice to her watchful and untir- 
ing care over the sick beds of her father, brothers and sisters. 

Mr. A. J. Bond is daughter of Mrs. M. A. McConnell, and one of the 
early settlers in this township, where she has married and is at present 
residing. April 3, 1851, Miss Adaline Dennis was married to Mr. A.J. 
Bond, Rev. Hardy, officiating. 

Wesley Reynolds came to this township in 1840; bought the land where 
he now lives, which was then a claim owned by Ebenezer Douglass. Mr. 
Reynolds entered the land when it came into market. He has a fine 
orchard of over 100 trees— mostly apple — and all variety of choice small 
fruit. His family consisted of twelve children, eight of whom are now 
living — Wm. Reynolds, Shelby; John N. Reynolds, Kansas; I. P. Rey- 
nolds, Bryan Reynolds, Charles Reynolds, Mrs. Mary Dawson, Mrs. 
Lydia Hudson, all of whom live in this township — and Jamts Reynolds in 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 603 

Kansas. Four of his sons were in the army— all that were old enough to 
go,^ — all gone at one time — and all re-enlisted but Bryan, whose time had 
not expired when the war closed. This latter was under age; and his 
parents feeling that they had given enough to their country in the three 
already gone, refused consent, but Bryan counted home and country before 
father and mother, and ran away and enhsled. His discharge shows that 
he was in fifteen battles; it is rather remarkable among so many soldiers 
in one family that not one was wounded or sick except I. P., who was 
discharged for ill health, came home, got better, and re-enlisted. 

John Hawkins and wife come from Ohio, and settled on a claim just 
east of this township line on the farm now known as the John Able farm. 
They had one son who married a Miss Fishbeck of Ohio, and they in turn 
had one son — ^grandson of the old people md the joy and comfort of their 
hearts: he distinguished himself in the army, but we have not the proper 
data to attempt any account of his record. The old people moved to Iowa 
Citv where they were widely known. Mr. Hawkins, Sen., took the Cali- 
fornia fever when at its height and went to California in 1850, where he ■ 
soon died. His son died in Iowa City, and his widow — the son's widow — 
subsequently married Mr. Lyman Holt. Mr. Holt died and his widow- 
went to Ohio, where she married again and died. Her son, Jas. Hawkins, 
devoted himself to his grandmother — "Auntie Hawkins" — as she was 
familiarly called, who idolized him as only a fond grandmother can idolize 
a promising, high minded and honorable young man. He was a captain 
in 22d regiment Iowa volunteers, was married in Iowa City. He and his 
wife decided to go to California for their health, and Auntie Hawkins, 
having no ties but the dear ones of early association decided to accompany 
them. Her only other living relative — a niece named Miss Jane Hill, who 
was married to Elder Bowman, a distinguished Methodist minister, the 
founder of Mt. Vernon College, and a minister yet of great power and 
influence in Iowa, had also gone to California for her health. "Auntie 
Hawkins" has died, since going to California; also her grandson and wife, 
leaving two children. 

Mrs. Bowman is also dead. Her husband returned after her death to 
Iowa, and is still living. Thus ends an imperfect sketch of a once notable 
family of early settlers, known to very many in the county, ending in sad- 
ness and death, one after another till all but the two young children are 
gone. 

Here is a scrap from "Tiffin Topics" concerning old settlers of Johnson 
county. In March 1880, it was written: Mrs. Sybil Harris, her son, 
Mr. Van Harris, and two orphan grandchildren whom she has adopted, 
all from near Leadville, Colorado, are visiting the brothers of Mrs. Har- 
ris, H. and J. C. Hamilton, and her sister, Mrs. Reynolds. Mrs. Harris 
was among the early settlers of Johnson county. She is a fine talker and 
her reminiscences of early times in Johnson county are as interesting as 



604 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

the wildest romance. Many who read these lines will remember that she 
and her sister Mrs. Betsy Ann Massey, set the first fourth of July dinner 
in Iowa City, celebrating the laying out of the town in 1840. The dinner 
was in the capitol square, now the university grounds. Thirty was the 
largest number that could be accommodated at the tables at one time* 
and the entire settlement had been scoured on both sides of the river to 
procure dishes for even that many, as none were to be had at the stores. 

Mrs. Harris at the death of her husband, met with many sad reverses 
of fortune, and after a time joined her eldest son, Van, who had ranged 
the western domain from the Rio Grande to British Columbia, and who 
was one of the early and lucky ones in Leadville, Colorado. Fortune has 
smiled benignly on their united ventures, and she has returned to Iowa to 
enjoy the advantages of civilization once more, and to educate her grand- 
children. Mrs. Harris is a lady of more than ordinary ability, and the 
romantic vicissitudes of her life render her society and conversation 
peculiarly interesting. She has located her future home in Montour, 
Tama county. 

This history would be incomplete without some mention of Esq. Robt. 
Walker, one of the earliest settlers of Johnson county, who spent the later 
years of his life in this township, and was buried in Tiffin cemetery. He 
was a man of much influence in early times, was the first justice of peace 
in Johnson county, held offices of public trust, and had much to do with 
early county affairs. 

Robert Walker, Esq., was born in Schenectady, N. Y., Oct. 4, 1802; 
was married, Feb. 19, 1823, to Miss Ellen McWade. Six children were 
given to the wedded pair. They came to Iowa in 1838, and settled in 
Pleasant Valley, where, after a number of years, his wife died. In 1853 
he moved to Iowa City, where he was married to Mrs. Avis Mygatt, 
who still lives to mourn his loss. They moved to Clear Creek township 
in 1850. He died Oct. 28, 1879. In religious belief he was an ardent 
Universalist, and sustained his belief by a life of irreproachable morality. 

Prominent among early settlers was H. H. Winchester, the 

Wolfe family and Colany, Slaght, Saxton and Chipman were added 

to the little group of early settlers a few years later, and brought with 

them a breeze from the outside world, better and more convenient ways 

of Hving — and the new and old settlers soon assimilated. John Saxton 

and Orville Chipman served as justices of the peace, the latter for several 
terms. 

Among the number of good substantial citizens that came to this town- 
ship m the fifties were the Williams family. Col. John Williams was 
promoted in the army, and on his return was elected county judge. He 
died in Iowa City, but was buried in Tiffin cemetery. Hon. RoUa John- 
son lived in Iowa county before coming to this township, and while Hving 
there was a member of the Iowa legislature. Wm. Clark, a kind-hearted 
excellent man, now dead, served as justice of the peace. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 605 

Hon. Geor^re Paul is a gentleman whose ability has made him a distin- 
guished factor of Iowa politics, and whose life and labors have been given 
more distinctively to the county and State, and especially to the State 
University, than to this township in which he lives; but he says of him- 
self in this connection, "I am a Clear Creek man, most emphatically. I 
first bought the claim in 184:2, and entered the land that I now live on 
with but one object in view, that of making a permanent home for myself 
and my then prospective family, and I have never changed m}' mind." 

Mr. Bryan Dennis was one of the early justices, and still relates with 
considerable gusto his feats in the marriage line. He tied the knot matri- 
monial for Isom Holler and his poor, much-abused wife so tight that the 
unhappy pair struggled in vain for twelve years to undo — and which was 
finally cut by an axe that the sorely tried woman raised at last in self-de- 
fense. 

The old settlers now living in this township are: Hon. Geo. Paul and 
wife, Mrs. Chas. Colany, Mrs. John Colany, Sarah L. Douglass, Wesley 
Reynolds and Susan, his wife; J. M. Douglass, H. Hamilton and wife, J. 
C. Hamilton, Mrs. A. J. Bond, Bryan Dennis and wife, Mrs. Mary 
McConnell, J. J. Shephardson, George Dennison and wife, Henry Spring- 
meyer and J. R. Willis. 

Of the number who settled here in early days the following are known 
to be dead: 

Virgil Lancaster and seven of his family, H. H. Winchester and wife, 
David Switzer and wife, Sam Holler, John Saxton, Archibald Gillilland, 
wife and oneson, John Headly and father, Henry Headly, James Doug- 
lass and wife, Ebenezer Douglass, Jackson Frost, Jarvis Frost,Yale Ham- 
ilton and wife. Dr. I. P. Hamilton, son of Yale Hamilton, and Jonathan 
Sprague and wife. 

ELDERLY LADIES OF NOTE. 

The oldest person in this township is Mrs. Mary McConnell, mother of 
Bryan and Isaac V. Dennis, and of Mrs. A. J. Bond; it is not from this 
fact alone, however, that she occupies so high a position in the respect and 
affection of this people, but from her forty-three years sojourn in Iowa, 
and nearly that in this township, where she has acted well her part as a 
pioneer wife, mother and friend. The following is a brief outline of the 
actual facts in her history: Miss Mary Ann Voris was born October 5, 
1798, in Alleghany county. Pa.; was married to John Dennis, October 13, 
1818. Three children of the family given them survive, and are now Hv- 
ing in Johnson county, viz.: Bryan Dennis, born August 1, 1819; I. V. 
Dennis, November 13, 1821, and Adaline D. Bond, April 1, 1831, all three 
born in Batavia, Ohio. Her husband, John Dennis, died in 1837, and the 
widow and three children, the oldest eighteen, the youngest six, gathered 
up their household goods and started for the far west. Mrs. Dennis, with 
clear foresight, believing that the west was the place to develop and 
enrich her boys. She came to Iowa in 1839; lived a short time below the 



606 • HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

city, but soon removed to what is now called the John Porter farm. 
There she met Mr. John McConnell, a widower with eight children, 
mostly grown, who lived near, and after a short courtship, married him 
in 1841. He lived but a few years, and when he died, Mrs, McConnell, 
whose son Bryan had, in 1844, married her step-daughter, Miss Agnes 
McConnell, made her home with her son and his wife, where she has ever 
since resided. 

Mrs. Jane (Bell) Williams was born August 10, 1801, in Hunting- 
ton county. Pa., was married in April, 1826, to Thos. J. Williams. Moved 
to Illinois in 1858; came to this township in 1861, where she has since 
resided, highly esteemed, and the virtual head of a large circle of relatives 
by the marriage of her children, nearly all of whom have lived in this 
township or county. But of late years several have moved away, and 
her son, Col. John Williams has died. Her husband, Thos. J. Williams, 
died September 13, 1873. 

She has seven children now living. Col. John Williams, her oldtst son 
was born March 27, 1827; he died from eflect of disease contracted in 
the army, where he so distinguished himself for bravery on the field of 
battle, as to win promotion and highest honors. Col. Williams was emi- 
nentlv a Clear Creek man, having lived in this township for many years 
previous to his enlistment. His family lived in this township while he 
was in the army. On his return from the army he was elected County 
Judge, and removed to Iowa City; but when he died he was brought to 
Tiffin cemetery where his honored remains now lie, a man and a soldier 
of which this township are justly proud. 

The remaining members of Mrs. Williams' family now living, are Geo. 
L. Williams, Shelby; Mrs. Rebecca Gregory, Mt. Vernon, Ohio; Miss 
Isabelle Williams, Shelby; T. Judson Williams, Nevada, Mo.; Sam'l. P. 
Williams, Shelby; Mrs. Sarah E. Nealy, Griswold, Pottawattamie county, 
and Miss Lizzie H. Williams, who has devoted her life to the care of her 
aged mother. 

Mrs. Sarah L. Douglass is an esteemed member of the elderly ladies, 
circle; particulars concerning her, will be found among the list of early 
settlers. 

Mrs. Mary W. Drake was born in Morris county, N. J., in the year 
1801. (Her maiden name was Wolfe). She was married to Jeremiah 
Slaght in March, 1822. In June, 1845, they moved to Knox county, Ohio. 
And in June 1854 they moved to Johnson county, Iowa. In the spring of 
1865 her husband died; in January 1868, she visited her relatives and 
friends in New Jersey and Ohio, and at the latter place was married to 
Samuel Drake, and remained there until his death, in 1875, after which she 
returned to Iowa again with her daughter and family, where she is still 
living. She has two children buried and four still living; Lucinda Drake, 
in Clear Creek township; B. E. Williams, in Iowa City; Nancy W. Qoty, 
in Ohio; and C. P. Slaght, in Clear Creek township. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. ' 607 

Mrs. Sarah [Lynn] Snyder, was born Sept. 23, 1806, in Franklin 
county, Pa. She is seventy-six years old the day this sketch is written. 
She was married Feb. 15, l;^2.j, to John Snyder, who died Nov. 4, 1878, 
after they had lived together over half a century. Their family com- 
prised eleven children, five of whom are dead. Those living are Mrs. 
Susan Brown, of Tiffin; Mrs. Lucinda Cramer, Pennsylvania; Mrs. 
Rachel Brown, Shelby; Wesly Snyder, Shelby; J. K. Sn\'der, Tiffin; 
and Hugh Sn3^der, of Shelby. 

Mrs. Snyder descends from the sturdy Pennsylvania stock, where large 
families were the rule and where they were something to be proud of — 
as they should be everywhere. Mrs. Snyder was one of eleven children 
who presented their parents with ninety-eight grand children, and she 
adds the beautiful reflection that never one of them made a misstep, or 
disgraced themselves or their parents. 

Mrs. Lucy Higgins Colany was born in Washington county, Ohio, 
April 22, 1808. Married to John Colany, in Knox county, Ohio, Feb. 22, 
1827; he died Oct. 12, 1835. Four children were given to them, all of 
whom now live in this township. It is something worthy of note that 
Mrs. Colany has reared a f^imily — her husband dying when her family 
was small — who have proven so exceptionally successful in all the pur- 
suits of life. Their names in order of age are, Mr. Philo Colany, Mrs. 
Hannah Wolfe, Mr. Charles E. Colany, and Lieut. John D. Colany. Each 
of these gentleman have held many township offices with credit to them- 
selves and usefulness to the township. Lieut. John D. Colany is the pre- 
sent efficient township clerk. 

Mrs. Colany came to this township in 1853, with her children, and has 
made her home with her son-in-law, Mr. Wm. Wolfe, from that time to 
the present. Mrs. Colany is connected with manv families in the neigh- 
borhood — Slaghts, Drakes, Williams, and others, besides the enlargement 
of the circle of relationship in the marriage of each of her four children. 

FIRSTLINGS OF THE TOWNSHIP. 

First religious regular services were held at Sprague's Grove, by Rev. 
Israel Clark, of the Ciiristiaii connection; several were baptized in Clear 
Creek, near Douglass' mill. 

First school house built in the township was on land donated by Isom 
Haller from his farm. The building was constructed of logs from a 
building on a claim vacated by J. J. Shephardson; the work being done by 
Bryan Dennis, S. Huston, C. Evans, Ebenezer Douglass, Virgil Lancas- 
ter, J. C. McConnell, J. J. Shephardson and others. 

First flour ground by Coralville mills was used by Mrs. Wesley Rey- 
nolds. 

First school house in the eastern part of the township was where Mr. 
A. Gilliland built a frame for a gran iry, (which is still used for this pur- 
pose on the farm of Mr. Ed. Craig,) and he and Mr. J. N. Headly hired a 



608 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

young lad}' named Cynthia Wooster to teach a school in it, paying her 
$1.50 per week and board. Others sent children, paying their proportion, 
but the lady took sick and returned to Iowa City before her school was 
finished. First school house in west end of township was built on the 
hill opposite where J. C. Hamilton now lives. The school was taught by 
Samuel Dille}', at $12 per month. 

First person buried in the cemeter}- on the farm now known as the 
Stage farm was Chas. Frost, a young man. 

First male child born in the township was Perry Usher, son of the vil- 
lage blacksmith at Sprague's grove. 

First persons married were Russell Spicer and Angelina Hartwell, 
of daughter of M. John Hartwell, Oxford. They had one child, a bo\', 
who died at about a year old, and was the first male child buried in the 
Tiffin cemeterv. 

Among the very earliest marriages was that of Durham Sprague, aged 
about 23, to Jane Crawford, who was a mother before she was twelve 
years old. 

First female child that was buried in the Tiffin cemeterv was a child of 
Mr. Nelson Dowd; she was scalded to death with hot tea. The parents 
were from home, the oldest daughter preparing supper, spilled hot tea on 
the child's head. It was not thought to be a serious case, but the child 
soon went into convulsions and died. 

Mrs. Sarah Douglass was the first weaver in the township, weaving 
blankets, flannels, jeans, etc. Ever}- family kept sheep, carded, spun and 
colored the wool, and prepared it for the loom. Linsey dresses were not 
worn out by their first washing, and the rustic belle fortunate enough to 
have a fine piece of linse}- considered herself highly favored and put on 
airs accordingly. 

First physician who resided here was Dr. Crawford, of the botanic 
school. He lived in a little cabin on Clear creek, near where J. M. Doug- 
lass now lives. 

First woman buried in Tiffin cemetery was Mrs. Elizabeth Moore. 

Second woman buried in Tiffin cemetery was Mrs. A. |. Bond, who 
contracted small pox on her way to Iowa on a boat coming up the Missis- 
sippi river. She was taken ill immediately on her arrival, while boarding 
in the famil}'^ of Mr. and Mrs. Ehenezer Douglass; she was cared for with 
the unselfish kindness characteristic of " Aunt Sarah," but died. The 
Douglass family were vaccinated as soon as it was discovered to be small 
pox, and none contracted the fearful malady but the daughter, Mary, now 
Mrs. H. Hamilton. 

John Moore built the first saw-mill in township at the site of what was 
long known as the Douglass saw-mill. In 1844 E. Douglass bought the 
property and sawed logs into lumber for many years. In lb46 
he bought a horse mill, on which to grind corn meal, and in the time of 
high water in 1851 was the sole resource for bread, as the township was 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. t'09 

shut off from mill privileges by the high water on every side, and "wait- 
ing their turn at the mill," was the oft told tale to the busy housewife 
waiting the return of her liege lord with bread stuff. 

First frame house was erected by Bryan Dennis on the location of what 
is known as the stage farm. The building still stands. 

The first brick house was erected by the same enterprising individual. 
He made the brick and did most of the mason work himself. 

Dr. Clark was the first physician who practiced here, but he and his 
family lived in Squash Bend. 

C. Evans of the Christian Church was the first preacher who lived with 
his family in the community. 

Furniture was rare, even of the most common sorts. A few settlers 
brought a little of the most necessary, but many coming a long wav in 
ox teams, could not be cumbered witli anything but the actual necessities 
of life, using the most primitive and rudest articles. Tables were made of 
boards attached to the cabins by leather hinges. Thev were fastened to 
the wall, and hung down when not in use so as to save room. Three 
legged stools, and rough benches made of slabs furnished seats, while 
wooden pins fastened in the wall of a corner and an outside piece from 
one pin to the other, the pins being wound with a cord, furnished couches 
for the hardy pioneers that afforded as peaceful slumber as the luxurious 
springs of the present time. After a few vears Wm. Spicer and Howard 
Sprague bought a turning lathe, and then turniture began to take on a 
certain "tone" indicative of the latent pride in all civilized people. 

First justice of the peace in the to.vnship was John Hartwell, who mar- 
ried Samuel Hueston to his second wife, Miss Frost — a sister of his first 
wife. He also married Orla Hull to Mary Clark. These were among 
the first marriages in the township. 

First regular Methodist meeting was held at Keeler's stage farm, con- 
tinuing for some time there. Rev. Edward Twining preaching. 

Just the verv first of all the first Methodist meetings, says Geo. Den- 
nison, were held at the house of Thomas King and that Geo. S. Dennison 
knows right well for King was his cousin, and lived on the east of bridge 
by Wm. Wolfe's residence, south side of the road, and here the little van- 
guard of pioneer Methodists held their little prayer and class-meetings in 
a little log cabin in the wilderness of unsettled Iowa, calling in an 
occasional stray preacher or exhorter to keep them in good heart and hope. 

The first quarterlv meeting held in the township was held just west of 
what is known as the stage farm in a beautiful grove, since removed. 

Robert Hutchison was the first mail carrier in this township, carrying 
the mail in a hack or on horseback, as the roads would admit, between 
Iowa City and Marengo. 

Many are the stories told of bad roads in early times, especially during 
the great emigration and stage periods, when aU travel was on the road. 
It is said the stage' passengers generally traveled on foot in bad weather, 



610 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

carrying on their shoulders the useful rail to pry out the mired-dovvn 
vehicle when occasion required. 

ROADS. 

J. N. Headly was the first road supervisor for this precinct, which 
then comprised more than four townships, and he may be pardoned for 
not keeping roads in as good repair as his successors have been able to 
do. J. R. Willis was one of a party who went twelve miles to do the first 
work on the state road west of Iowa City; they broke the first road bed 
through Folsom's hill near the Centennial bridge. Streams had no 
bridges in early times and had to be forded, and when the water was high 
people had to stay at home. The first bridges were of the rudest 
description — quite a contrast to these structures of the present time. 

J. R. Willis used to break prairie with five yoke of large oxen. It was 
of common occurrence for him to leave his work and take his team to 
pull emigrants out of mud holes — going as far east as the space of sand 
from where Abrams now lives to Watson's, where it was an almost daily 
occurrence to find teams sunk in the quick-sand. 

John N. Headly was the first actual settler in the township, and the 
farm now owned by Wm. Wolfe. Some one had staked out the claim, 
broke 12 acres and built a cabin and left the place without an apparent 
master, when Headly jumped the claim and settled thereon. 

Mr. E. Douglass went to Burlington for first flour; also to Spring 
Mills, some 60 miles, for corn meal; and the meal when he got it home 
cost just two dollars a bushel. First barrel of flour cost $14.00; first bar- 
rel of salt, $14.00. The second spring after he came here they were three 
weeks without bread in the house, during planting season, as it was so 
far to go to mill. They bought store goods and mailed their letters at 
Bloomington — now Muscatine — and every letter cost 25 cents in coin 
of the realm, and people only went to the post office once in three or four 
months, and sometimes not so often. On one occasion "Aunt Sarah," his 
wife sent to Bloomington for 25 cents worth of salaratus, and when 
brought home it was less than a tea cup-full in quantity. 

First crop of buckwheat was raised by Ebenezer Douglass and was 
ground in a coffee mill. 

Early settlers, although deprived of many supplies from mill and store, 
generally were well supplied with chickens and cows, and had plenty of 
milk, cream, butter, eggs, poultry, venison, wild fruit, wild game, fish, 
honey, «S:c.; and with all their hardships none have complained of suf- 
fering from a scarcity of provisions sufficient for all necessities. 

THE FIRST GRIST MILL. 

Br3^an Dennis relates that the first grist mill in Johnson county was 
built by David Svvitzer, in the spring and summer of 1839, and the first 
grist was ground some time in October. Like the mill of the gods, it 
"ground slowly;" and, using a very small run of burrs, not "exceeding 



HISTORY OP' JOHNSON COUNTY. 611 

line." It was some time before bolting reeds were attached; the process 
of makincr bread was of most primitive style; sifting the cracked corn and 
wheat by hand in a sieve, merel}^ getting out the coarsest hulls; but it 
made good wholesome bread. 

The mill was constantly crowded with grists waiting their turn. Those 
living nearest the mill were furnished with a peck or half bushel — some- 
times a bushel — at a time, and you may be sure there was any amount of 
growling; but Mr. Switzer made it a rule to grind for the needy lirst, and 
supply others as fast as possible. One or two persons brought a large 
grist to be ground which they expected to sell at high figures to the set- 
tlers in time of scarcity; they were exceeding wroth under this rule, and 
brought suit against Mr. Switzer for not grinding, as they claimed, by 
turns — assuming it was a public mill, but the}' were defeated. The grind- 
ing capacity was increased; and other mills being built, the people's wants 
were soon better supplied. Only those who have lived for weeks and 
even months without breadstuff other than that pounded in a mortar by a 
pestle, can appreciate the luxury of the first flour and meal from the old, 
old mill. Like the old oaken bucket, its praises we sing, " what pleas- 
ure, what comfort old memories bring." 

After a time Switzer sold his burrs, bolts, etc., to the Milling Company 
who were building their mill at Coralville, and turned his grist mill into a 
saw mill. Before these mills went into operation, and during the time 
they remained unbuilt after having been burned down — these were the 
times of hardship of getting flour and going a great distance to mill 
spoken of in these papers. Many went to English river mills, provided 
to stand a seige " waiting for grist;" Many took quilts and robes for bed- 
ding, feed for team, and provisions for driver, and were gone three or 
four days at a time. 

Archibald Gilliland sent to Cedar Rapids for flour; crossed Iowa river 
at a point near where Roberts' ferry is now located, when the river was 
frozen in the winter, or lo\. enough to ford in summer. All other times 
went by way of Iowa City, a distance of nearly forty miles. 

The first milling done in Iowa by Geo. S. Dennison and wife had pecul- 
iar circumstances and peculiar results. George and Joseph Dennison — 
brothers, then living in Penn township — had broken prairie together dur- 
ing the summer, doubling on teams so to do. Joseph had still a farm in 
Illinois where he had raised wheat that summer, 1843. In the fall George 
took his own teams — five yoke of oxen — and went to mill, going first to 
his brother's farm in Illinois to get the wheat; returned to Iowa at Rock- 
ingham, a small place three miles below Davenport, now deserted and for- 
gotten, but then of some account from its mill. Near the place one of 
the wagons loaded with loose wheat in wagonbox was upset in the dry 
sandbed of a creek, and a vexatious delay for reloading was had. When 
he got to the mill he found it full of grists, for three weeks ahead, so he 



612 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

left the wheat and came home. Mrs. George Dennison had been pros- 
trated with the malii^nant type of acjue common to early settlements; and 
hoping that a change would break it up, took his wife in an ox wagon to 
Bloomington [Muscatine] ; left her there; went to Rockingham, got his 
grist, returned for his wife who was still no better, and set out for home. 
A severe cold rain set in, completely drenching them in an open wagon. 
Mr. D. cut grass with his pocket knife to shelter the flour; for in those 
days of scarcity and with all the trouble they had to get it, they preferred 
to sufler themselves rather than let the flour get wet. They camped in 
the open prairie with no shelter from the bleak skies but a quilt or two 
brought with them. It turned severely cold in the night. In the morning 
their quilts and even their clothing was frozen hard and they barely- 
escaped freezing themselves. Mrs. D. was in the last stages of despond- 
ency, and begged her husband to leave her on the prairie to the mercy of 
the wolves, as she was growing weary of life and suftering. George 
dryly remarkes — "couldn't aftbrd to do it, you see; women were too 
scarce in thos^^ da3's — particularly women like mine." Strange to say, 
Mrs. Dennison's ague left her from that hour, and she has never had it 
since. She does not recommend her " ague cure " for general use, how- 
ever, as the remedy was worse than the disease. It would have killed 
any woman who had not a strong will powder and iron constitution. Yale 
Hamilton, who when he first came to the county, lived three miles below 
lowa City on the west side of the Iowa river, used to take his wheat to 
Wapsenonock to a horse mill, a distance of twenty miles. There are told 
by those of his family still living many incidents of hardship and privation. 
No necessity of civliized life was so dear and hard to get as salt, and 
settlers always boiled down the brine on shipped pickled pork — often 
rusty — and dried the salt for cooking purposes. Yale Hamilton once 
went fifteen miles for a pint of salt. 

The first crop of buckwheat — thirty-seven bushels — was ground in a 
coftee mill. The buckwheat was kept on large slabs of bark, peeled 
from trees and dried to use as boards, they were placed over the rafters 
of the log cabin home near the fire place where it would keep dry; and 
the bo3's had to keep the mill going by turns nearly all the time. 

The first dry goods ever brought to Johnson county, Charles Berryhill 
brought in a trunk,'"^ which for lack of room in the days of large families 
and small houses, was kept under the bed; and when people came to trade 
at the new store the trunk w^as hauled out and merchant and patron knelt 
beside it and displayed and examined goods with possibly as much satisfaction 
and sharp bargaining as is involved in such transactions now-a-days. Ber- 
ryhill afterwards built a log house near by where he had his store; traded 
much with the Indians [See under head of "First District Court in Iowa 

*This must be n mistake, for.Inhn Gilbert and Wliefon Chase both kept trading house» 
in Pleasant Valley township lonif before Berr^iiill came to the count v. It is a great pity 
that no definie tdate is given to any of these supposed "first things." — Editor. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 613 

City], and made money, as did all store keepers in those days. This 
building being burned down, he went to Iowa City into the same business^ 
and prospered exceedingly; but finally became insane and died. 

People who groan over hard times and low prices for products should 
remember the experience of early settlers, who sold wheat at twenty-five 
cents per hundred pounds, and sold dressed pork for $1.50 per hundred 
pounds. 

The Clear Creek Woolen Mills were built in 18—, by E. Stickler on the 
site of the saw mill built by David Switzer. There almost every variety 
of flannels and woolen cloth was manufactured, which soon acquired a rep- 
utation that commanded better prices than similar goods of eastern man- 
ufacture, and the merchants who controlled the sale of this cloth did a 
flourishing business. In 18 — , Mr. Stickler had an offer from Kansas of a 
partnership and enlargement of business, that was very profitable, which 
he accepted, and removed the machinery of the woolen mills to that place, 
whither he removed with his family, and where he is still living. 

The onlv stone quarries in the township belong to Hon. Geo. Paul, and 
are of limestone similar to those in Penn township. At a depth of thirty- 
five feet from the surface the layers are found, by drilling, to be three feet 
thick. 

The cheese factory of Mr. E. Abrams is located on the farm formerly 
known as the Seymour farm. In 1860 he commenced operations in part- 
nership with Mr. E. T. Seymour. The following year he bought Sey- 
mour's share and has continued in the business ever since, milking forty 
to fifty cows. His cheese finds ready sale at prices ranging from fifteen 
to twenty cents per pound. The lowest price was in 1877, when it was 
sold at from six to eight cents per poimd. 

NOTABLE EVENTS. 

Among the notable events of later years was the silver wedding of Mr. 
and Mrs. A.J. Bond, April 4, 1876, on which occasion there were 300 
invited guests. 

March 17, 1878, Mrs. Booher, a widow^ lady living near Tiffin, died very 
suddenly. She had been very ill df typhoid fever, but had recovered so 
as to be able to be about. On the day of her death, her daughter was 
married. Soon after the ceremony Mrs. B. complained of being weary 
and in a few moments she was dead. It was a great shock to the wed- 
ding guests as well as to the entire community. 

In June, 1877, there was organized a temperance society known as the 
"Blue Ribbon Brigade." Its first officers were: Mr. E. Abrams, presi_ 
dent; Rolla Johnson, vice-president; J. K. Snyder, secretary: Mrs. A.J. 
Bond, treasurer; Mrs. Mary A. Hamilton, Dr. Brown and Henry Abrams, 
executive committee. This society has continued in active organization 
up to the present time, September, 1882. 
39 



614 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Much Mormon emigration passed through this township on its way to 
Salt Lake in 1848-9. Procuring their outfit of hand carts, etc., in Iowa 
City, they generally made their first camp nine miles from that place, on 
Buffalo Creek near the county bridge. Their camp was a place of resort 
for people here, to note the singular habits and outfit of this deluded oeo- 
ple. On one occasion three young girls were discovered to be dissatisfied 
and parties assisted them to escape from the Mormon company. One of 
the girls returned to England, the other two married and settled in Iowa. 

In August, 1879, Mr. Chas. Colany had three head of fine horses and 
a new open family carriage stolen. One horse was subsequently found. 
The rest of the property was never heard from. 

The grain house at Tiffin was burned by sparks from a locomotive. 

On the Nathaniel Scales farm there is a piece of slough that was set on 
fire in the spring, to burn the grass off", and it burned all summer. It was 
discovered to be a peat bed, and burned twelve feet deep. Several others 
in the township in the same condition. 

ACCIDENTS. 

About twenty-five years ago a young man named Dicus, a brother of 
James Dicus of this place, was drowned near Strickler's dam while bathing. 

About eighteen years ago a man named I.ysle, living in Oxford town- 
ship, fell off" a load of lumber while driving on the state road near where 
Mr. Jno. Fisher now lives, and was killed by being run over. 

In September, 186.5, Mr. Eli Brooks, a gentleman who, a few years 
before had bought what was then known as the Haller farm, met with an 
accident resulting in almost instant death, that cast a gloom of sorrow 
and regret over this community. Mr. Brooks was a heavy stock dealer, 
and spent much of his time in the saddle buying and selling stock. He 
used for this purpose an unusually fine horse that was a great favorite — 
spirited, but kind, and was not supposed to be vicious or easily frightened. 
On the morning in question, diff"erent persons met him in an unusually 
happy frame of mind, singing at the top of a remarkably fine voice, good, 
old-fashioned Methodist melodies; for he was a Methodist class-leader, 
steward and exhorter. An hour or twO later some friends invited him to 
stop and refresh himself with watermelons. He hastil}^ slipped his halter 
in the form of a slip noose over his arm, and ahghted. As he sat there 
pleasantly chatting, his horse, from some unexplained reason took fright 
suddenly, and bounded off" with the speed of the wind, dragging him by 
the arm till he was torn, mangled and bruised almost beyond recognition, 
and instantly killed. 

About five years after this his son, William Brooks, and another young 
man named Charles Ellsworth, were killed by the caving in of a well, at 
the bottom of which they were at work laying up a wall of stone for the 
water basin. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 615 

BIG THRESHING JOBS. 

J. M. Dou<Tlass once threshed out of stack, 1,038 bushels of oats, hav- 
ing moved 3 miles and thrashed in two different places, in one day. On 
another occasion he threshed 14 bushels of oats in two minutes by the 
watch. 

On still another occasion he threshed 345 bushels of oats /'// one hour 
and forty-five minutes. Affidavit! All these with the same machine — a 
Massillon separator. 

John Donaldson, J. C. Hamilton and John Colors threshed 565 bushels 
of oats in 4 hours and 20 minutes, out of shock in field. Had to check 
up to let in teams, and were hindered with green hands and bothersome 
belting, or they would have threshed several thousand bushels more. 

EARLY PREACHERS AND CHURCHES. 

Israel Clark of the Christian or Disciples Church preached the first ser- 
mon at Sprague's grove, and baptized three or four persons in Clear 
Creek, near Douglass saw mill. 

Constantine Evans, an uneducated man of the same section, devoted 
his Sabbaths to preaching, and his week days to farm labor. 

The first Methodist preaching in this township was in 1844, by Rev. 
Edward Twining, now Elder Twining. The M. E. Church of this 
township was organized under his administration. It has not been with- 
out a preacher or discontinued services in 38 years. 

Of the Presbyterians there was no organization; but Rev. Ward 
Talbott preached here occasionally in 1843-44, at the house of John 
McConnell, an elder of the church. Rev. Hazzard of Iowa City also 
preached for this church occasionally in 1847-48. 

The Baptist Church was organized in 1853 by Rev. Dexter P. Smith, 
of Iowa City. Prior to that time, however, Wm. Henry Headly, an early 
settler of good repute, frequently preached that doctrine, but died before 
his hopes of establishing a church were consummated. He was the 
father of Mrs. George Dennison. Of this church some have died, many 
have moved away, and man}/ were absorbed into the Christian Church, 
under the preaching of Elder J. C. Hay. A few of the old standard 
bearers remain, who cannot conscientiously adhere to other than Baptist 
tenets. 

During the winter of 1867-68, Elder John C. Hay preached in what 
was then known as the Johnson school house. During a revival or pro- 
tracted meeting, he organized the church. There were many who had 
been members in other places. To this church were added then, and 
subseqently, many from other churches, principally Baptists. Elder Hay, 
is now [1882] minister to the Christian Church at Minneapolis, Minnesota. 
The church now has a large and interesting Sabbath school, and is at 
present in a most united and prosperous condition under the leadership of 
Elder Ragan. Having organized this church. Elder Hay looked to its 



616 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

perpetual accommodation. As the Christian Church was not at the time, 
considered strong enough to build a meeting house controlled exclusively 
by themselves, it was proposed to build a union church to be used by the 
Christian and Methodist churches on alternate sabbaths, which was 
accordingly done, and the present building — frame, 44x30 — was erected 
at a cost of $2,800. 

It was dedicated in 1869 by Elder Hay. It soon transpired, however, 
that this enterprise was to be a signal failure, as all union church affairs 
(•■enerally are. Dissensions, misunderstandings and difficulties of prece- 
dence arose. About this time the Annual Conference stationed Rev. Den- 
nis Murphy at Tiffin M. E. Church. Rev. Murphy, though then young in 
the ministry, was considered one of the most brilliant and promising preach- 
ers in the conference. He and his wife were taking a course at the Iowa 
State University, which accounts for his being stationed at so small a 
place as Tiffin, so he could preach Sabbaths and attend the University 
week days. His powerful doctrinal Methodism called forth like power- 
ful doctrinal sermons from Elder Hay, until the alternate sermons verged 
into the finest oratorical display ever witnessed in so small a place. Each 
congregation sided with their own preacher. The whole matter culmi- 
nated in the refusal of the church for a special meeting occasion. This 
led at once to the rupture of the union so long threatened. The Meth- 
odists withdrew, leaving the chapel they had helped to build to the sole 
occupancy of the Christian connection. Then, under the guidance and 
direction of Rev. Mr. Murphy, they built for themselves a frame church 
at a cost of about four thousand dollars, with a corner tower eighty-four 
feet in height. This church was dedicated September 1.5, 1873, by Rev. 
Bunner Marks, free of debt. It is said to be the best finished church for 
the money in the State. 

The Christian Church has since been thoroughly repaired, tower fin- 
ished, calcimined, painted, refitted with carpets, and is now as neat and 
tasteful a church as can be found in any small country town. 

The earliest members of the Christian Church are Mrs. Susan Doug- 
lass, Mrs. Philo Colany, Mrs. Sarah Douglass, Mrs. Ruth Davis, Mrs. 
Talbott and others. 

The names of pastors who have successively preached at the Christian 
Church are, John C. Hay, J. C. White, John C. Hay [again], R. H. Ingram, 
L. L. Lane, A.J. Garretson, E. L. Posten, G. Applegate, John C. Hay 
[again, on his return from Europe], and James H. Ragan. Present mem- 
bership eighty. 

The Grace Methodist Episcopal Church is situated in section 28, town- 
ship SO, range 7. The names of original members were: L. Morehead 
and wife, C. P. Slaght and wife, Wm. Wolfe and wife, Wesley Reynolds 
and wife, Asa Ruckman and wife, David Hudnut and wife. Organized 
in 1857. The record of a still earlier organization has been lost. Its 
date cannot be given; but the following persons were members of it: Mr. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 617 

and Mrs. Keeler, Mr. and Mrs. Thos. King, Mr. and Mrs. Meachem, 
Miss Mary Heuston, Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Reynolds, Mr. and Mrs. Yale 
Hamilton, Mr. J. Shepardson, Mrs. Mary McConnell. 

The following is a list of the early Methodist preachers: Rev. Jenni- 
son Kellogg, Bowman, Swaringer, Emory Miller (now D. D.), E. C. 
Twining, Wm. Fasten, J. B. Hill, J. R. Gary, J. A. Wilson, James Coats, 
Thos. Miller, Dennis Mm-phy, R. Noble, J. E. Carley, R. A. Carnine, E. 
Sampson, R.J. Kenyon, G. N. Story, and H. F. Pugh: the latter being 
in present charge [Sept., 1882]. 

In the early settlement of the country- preachers were assigned large 
districts, which compelled them to travel long distances. Appointments 
often were twenty and even thirty miles apart. On one occasion our 
preacher had to go to Newton, Jasper county, to attend a conference, 
with two others from Marengo. They traveled in regulation style, on horse- 
back, with saddle-bags for clothing, Bible and hymn-book; also carrying 
blankets and luncheon for case of emergency, as the settlements were 
sparse, there being only one or two stopping places on the way, a dis- 
tance of sixty miles. Snooks' Grove was twenty or twenty-four miles. 
The Snooks family were the onl}^ residents of the grove and were reputed 
hard cases, very profane, etc. Riding up to the door they introduced 
themselves as gospel missionaries, and requested entertainment for the 
night, which was very cordially granted by Snooks. " Yes, yes, gentle- 
tlemen, walk in. We neither fear God, man, nor the devil, and are not 
afraid of losing our scalps, either." They were treated with genuine 
hospitality, and in the early morning sent on their way rejoicing. 

CEMETERIES. 

The first cemetery was located on the stage farm, then occupied by Mr. 
Keeler. The cemetery association was organized in 1842, a deed made 
of the land, but through carelessness was never recorded. Mr. Paster 
bought the farm and gave notice for people to remove their dead, which 
they neglected, thinking any time would do. The next spring the land 
was grubbed out, plowed up and put into grain; and there is nothing 
now to mark the spot where so man}' sleep. The following are a few 
who are remembered to have been buried there: Wife and two children 
of J. R. Trillis, Lyman Frost, Dr. Frost, a wife of Samuel Heuston, Jack- 
son Frost, Jarvis Frost, Henry Headly, Thos. King, Mr. Keeler, Mrs. 
Clapp, Wm. Clark. 

The present township cemetery was first used by a man named Dowd, 
on whose claim it was located to bury two of his children, and bv com- 
mon consent it was used for that purpose, although there was no deed 
given for the land until 1863, when a deed was jiresentedto an association 
by J. C. Hamilton, son of Yale Hamilton, who bought and entered the 
Dowd claim, and resided thereon till he died, and was buried in this cem- 
etery'. An edbrt was made to plat out the ground, but this was difficult 



618 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, 

to do, as the early graves had been placed irrej]^ularly, and it was found 
that one of the streets was arranged to cross the j^raves of Mr. and Mrs. 
Yale Hamilton, and the heirs objected to this so strenuously that the plat 
was rejected, and no other having been adopted, there is much confusion 
and irregularity in burying in this cemetery. 

LYCEUMS. 

The first lyceum was organized November 10, 1842. The first meet- 
ing was held at the residence of Bryan Dennis, Esq., where most of 
the meetings were subsequently held. From papers yellow with age, pre- 
served by Mr. Dennis, we extract a few articles that would be well to 
incorporate into the constitutions of its successors, as well as many other 
societies: 

Arf. 2. It shall be the duty of the president of this society to call this 
lyceum to order at 6 P. M. 

Art. J. After this lyceum is called to order, no person shall be allowed 
to hold any conversation whatever with a member or spectator that will 
disturb the house. 

Art. 10. No person shall be allowed to use any disrespectful or con- 
temptous language against officers or members of this association." 

Among the names of early members who are named as debators are: 

Bryan Dennis. Archilald Gilliland J. H. Frost. 

Samuel Hueston. H. H. Brown. Carlos Frost. 

Andrew Hallenbeck. Spicer Jones. J. L. Frost. 

Grant Packard. Joseph Brown. Henry Headley. 

S. C. Hawkins. Nicholas Shepardson. John Conn. 

David Switzer, and others. 
The first officers of the lyceum were: President, John Conn; vice- 
president, John Headley; secretary, Bryan Dennis; treasurer, J. L. Frost. 
There was a fund raised for expenses, principally paper and light. The 
former was inexpensive and was of the coarsest grade of foolscap, while for 
the latter the lyceum put on aristocratic airs with tallow candles, which 
were considered quite an advancement towards luxury from the lard 
lamp, consisting of a saucer of grease with a twisted rag for a wick. This 
was the more common form of light. In these crumpled yellow papers 
we find a few of the questions debated: 

1. Are the works of Nature more admired than those of art. De- 
cided in the negative by both argument and merit of the question. 

2. Has the use of intoxicating liquors been more injurious to the world 
at large than slavery? Decided in affirmative on arguments, but negative 
on merit. 

3. Has the art of navigation been of more benefit to mankind than the 
art of printing? Decided in affirmative on argument; negative on merit. 

4. Does the disposition of man court wealth more than honor? De- 
cided in negative. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 619 

5. Are the principles of man innate or acquired? Decided in affirma- 
tive on argument; neg-ative on merit. 

6. Should property exempt from execution be specified in state consti- 
tution? 

7. Ought we to encourage home industry to the exclusion of foreign 
goods? Decided in affirmative on argument; negative on merit. 

8. Would the growing of wool enhance the prosperity of this state 
more than the culture of hemp? 

Be it remarked that this discussion was not nearly as irrelevant as would 
appear. The growing of hemp had been a much talked of industry, and a 
small mill for manufacturing it in various forms had been established near 
what is now known as the free bridge at Iowa City, near Folsom's hill. 

9. Is it right in any case for the law to take human life? Decided in 
affirmative on argument; negative on merit. 

One of the liveliest debates occurred between the bachelors on one side 
and married men on the other, on the question, — 

10. Does a life of protracted celibacy tend to the injury of society? 
Decided in affirmative on argument; negative on merit. 

Another question that is remembered with interest, was, — 

11. Is phrenology as a science calculated to benefit a community? Col. 
Trowbridge, of Iowa City, was invited to speak on this occasion, but it 
proved inclement weather, and he did not come out till several weeks 
after, when he delivered a lecture on the subject. 

12. Is the making or vending of ardent spirits consistent with morality? 

About this time "compositions," as essays were then called, were intro- 
duced into the order of exercises; and Mr. James Gilliland, then a young 
man, read the first production. 

13. Is a liar more injurisus to society than a thief ? Decided in affirm- 
ative both on argument and merit. 

Here they dipped into theology. 

14. Are the sun, moon and stars, and the rest of creation, the works of 
nature? Decided in affirmative on argument; negative on merit. 

15. Is it right for the Governor to grant pardon in capital oflenses? 
Decided in affirmative on argument; negative on merit. 

If). Is direct taxation a more fair and equable way of raising a revenue 
than by tariff? 

This closes the time stained fragment of documents. Much in them would 
be worthy of preservation as showing bias of thought, and the principles 
of early settlers. We have recorded decisions for this reason. 

The only other lyceum of which there was any record was established 
in the winter of 1865-6. Mr. Wm. Wolfe was its first president. The 
following names are remembered of those who took prominent part in 
the discussions. Wm. Wolfe, Rolla Johnson, Bryan Dennis, Joe Douglass, 
Will Doty, Riley Dennison, Chas. Johnson, J. R. Willis, H. Hamilton, 
John Dawson, sr., John Dawson, jr., Taylor Dawson, N. W.Reynolds, 



620 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Morris Brown, John Douglass. The meetings were largely attended, the 
young ladies keeping up their part of the exercises b}^ music, recitations, 
essays, and a paper that was a source of much good natured and harm- 
less amusement. Many of the members moving away the following 
vipring and summer, the meetings were discoutinued. When the " Blue 
Ribbon Brigade" was organized literary exercises were a marked and 
pleasant feature of the meetings. The young people entered into these 
with a zest, and earnest desire for improvement. 

POLITICS. 

The strength of the political parties — Republican and Democratic — 
have been about equally divided in this township in its past history. Each 
party with a small majority has attained ascendancy by turns. The 
greenback party are, however, threatening to change the slate. On the 
prohibitory constitutional amendment (June 27, 1882,) the vote stood a tie. 
The contest was very bitter, and those who sustained the measure were 
proud of their record in keeping the rum party at bay. There was no 
politics In this vote. Here, as elsewhere, prominent democrats voted for 
it, and prominent republicans against it, while the greenback party with 
three exceptions, voted against it. There was only one saloon at Tiffin, 
and that has been wiped out. No saloon now in the township. 

Slavery was thoroughly discussed and abolitionists to be found not a 
few to take part in "the irrepressible conflict." In 1841 Wm. Stuart, a 
strong anti-slavery man, now living on the Iowa river between Solan and 
North Liberty, lectured on the subject several times in various parts of 
Clear Creek precinct. He was a type of the early abolitionists, of strong 
will, thoroughly posted on the leading questions of the day, and had few 
equals in debate. 

Warren ^Spurrier, of Big Grove township, with the same convictions as 
to]the righteousnes of the cause,|made "boiled down abolistionist" speeches; 
being well informed on his pet subject, and a fine speaker. Alonzo Den- 
nison,John Conn and John Hollinbeck were all considered wild on the 
subject. They were full of argument on every opportunity, but made no 
speeches. 

UNION SOLDIERS FROM CLEAR CREEK. 

The following is as correct a list as we were able to procure ot the 
soldiers enlisted from this township: 1st Iowa — Cyrus Douglass, Wm. 
Reynolds, Alonzo Walker, Wm. Marvin. All in Company B., and all 
participated in the battle of Wilson Creek, the first battle fought in Mis- 
souri. 

r>th Iowa — Capt. Jno. Williams, enlisted second company raised in 
Johnson county, Company G., 0th Iowa. Promoted to major of regiment 
1862. Promoted for bravery at the battle of Shiloh [see particulars else- 
where] to colonelcy of the regiment with rank of brevet brigadier general. 

J. M. Douglass enlisted as a private; promoted to 2d lieutenant on 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 521 

being mustered in. Rfsit:jned Sept. 3, 18(?2. Re-enlisted and com- 
missioned 2d lieutenent Company G, 47th Iowa. 

George Madden, wounded at Shiloh; Wm. Davis, promoted to 3d 
corporal, killed at Shiloh, April 6, 1S(>*2; John Ditto, corporal, taken 
prisoner at Shiloh, Aprtl 6, 1S62; Michael Ditto, killed at Atlanta, July 
22, 18(U; Almond H. Frazee, veteran, discharged in 18t>o. Enlisted in 
regular army; discharged for disability; pensioned $50 per month; Thos. 
B. Haller, died of fever Nov. 10, lSt)2; Austin A. Hull, killed at Atlanta, 
Georgia, July 22, 1864; John K. Smith, discharged for disability June 4, 
18t)2; pensioned $4 per month. 

14th Iowa. — ^John Douglass, wounded at Ft. Donelson, struck by a 
shell; L. Davis, prisoner, confined in half a dozen different prison pens; 
Chas. Slaght, John Reynolds, Wm. Reynolds, re-enlisted; I. P. Reynolds, 
B. \V. Reynolds, Jas. Cropley, Wm. Cropley, John Howlet, — Emerson. 

22d Regi'.iient. — Chas. Johnson, Henry Rutter, died of comsumption 
contracted in the army: I. P. Reynold, tu-st time, pensioned: John Karns, 
Thos. Haller, Chas. Lewis. 

28th Regiment, Co. E. — ^^Jolm D. Colanw At the organization of the 
company was a private: was j-tromoted to corporal, then to 2d sergeant, 
then to 1st lieutenant; carried a musket IS months; was in thirteen battles 
which were inscribed on the regimental colors; was never absent from his 
company during three years service, without orders. What a glorious 
record I That old musket and sabre will be a precious heirloom when 
handed down in his family with the story of his valor. Patrick K. Con- 
avor, died of wound; Isaac Carlton, died of sickness: ^P. J. Brown, private, 
promoted to corporal; James M. Dicvis, was taken prisoner at the battle 
of Winchester Heights, taken to Libbv prison, afterwards exchanged; 
Chas. H. Dennison, died of sickness at the seige of Vicksburg; J. M. 
Frazee, Chas. F. Heubener, a mere boy, recruit, came to tiie company at 
Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, and was taken into the tight at Sabine Cross 
Roads next day, marciied with the company about thirty-six miles during 
the day ami night, /h'sn/r the labor and fatfoiic or the hatt1e\ Aaron Hig- 
gins, John Ileofer, enlisted private, promoted corporal, killed at battle of 
Sabine Cross Roads; Milo Higgins, was sent from \"icksburg, after- 
wards died; John O'Riley, Alexander Riley, was taken prisoner at \"icks- 
burg. afterwards exchanged; Philip Smith, disabled at the battle of Port 
Gibson; David Wilson, Jeremiah Wilson, wounded at tlie battle of Wil- 
son's Creek. 

28th Iowa, Co. G.- -Bryan Reynolds, ran away from home to enlist, as 
he was under age, fifteen battles are marked on his honorable discharge, 
in which, strange to say, lie never got a scratch. 

4Tth Iowa, Co. G. — Capt. Ben. Owens, vice John Williams, promoted; 
J. M. Douglass, enlisted in this company as private, was commissioned 
2d Heutenant; I. P. Reynolds, re-enlisted; Lorenzo Davis, taken prisoner 



622 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

at battle of Shiloh, was in rebel prisons at Memphis, Mobile^ Kahaba, 
Macon, and Libby prison at Richmond, 

BATTLE OF SHILOH. 

From J. M. Douj^jlass we learn some particulars in regard to the part 
taken by the Sixth Iowa infantr}^, — of which company G was largely 
enlisted from this township — about which there has been some conflicting 
statements. We propose to give the correct version, that justice may be 
done to those who distinguished themselves for promptness and efficiency 
on that trying field of action. 

The first engagement was the battle of Shiloh, March 6, 1803. Capt. 
John Williiims — captain of Co. G, — was on the sick list, as was also Lieut. 
Miller; and J. M. Douglass was put in command of the company. Capt. 
Williams rose from his sick bed and joined his regiment on their going 
into battle, and was shortl}' placed in command of the regiment by Col. 
McDowell. He commanded the regiment until it was repulsed, with 
severe loss in dead and wounded, at which time Capt. Williams was 
wounded bv a shot in th.e thigh; the regiment become badly disorganized 
and fell back in much confusion to the river. J. M. Douglass now reported 
his company, of which he had been placed in temporary command, to 
Col. McDowell for duty, and was ordered, with Adjutant T. J. Ennis, to 
organize the regiment and support the battery on the hill. On the morn- 
ing of the 7th, by request of the line officers, J. M. Douglass assumed 
command of the regiment, (orderly sergeant Jas. J. Jordan then com- 
manding company G,) and had it attached to Gen. Garfield's brigade, and 
followed the rebels about six miles; but not gaining on them, returned to 
camp. Capt. Williams was considered by all his comrades as brave and 
efficient a commander as ever left the State. He was promoted to the 
rank of Major of the regiment, and brevet Brig. General for bravery at 
the battle of Shiloh. He resigned his command as Lieut. Colonel ol 47th 
Iowa, on account of his wounds. 

As to the 6th regiment, and our own company G, the battle of Shiloh 
was their first engagement; and at from sixty to eighty yards distance, 
without breastworks, they fought the 6th and 7th Tennessee, and 6th 
Louisiana infantr}', three regiments deep. 

THE ladies' flag. 

One occasion of much interest at the time, was when the first thiee 
companies of the 14th Iowa volunteers - quite a number of company C 
having been recruited from this vicinity — passed through the township in 
the fall of 1861, on their way to Ft. Randall, and camped on the grounds 
of the widow of Jos. Douglass, commonly called, by fi-iends and neigh- 
bors, "Aunt Fanny." This township owned a beautiful silken flag 
made by its ladies during recruiting time, and on hasty consultation it 
was agreed to proceed en masse to camp, and present the colors to the 
regiment, which was accordingly done, by the light of a blazing straw 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 625 

Stack, amid much enthusiasm. The presentation speech was made by 
Bryan Dennis, Esq., captain of Home Guards, Col. John Pattee, of Iowa 
City, responding for the regiment. Several prominent gentletnen present 
were called upon for a speech, but declined. The writer hereof, then 
known as Miss Mary Washburn, a student of the Normal School in Iowa 
City, happening to be present, accepted the pressing invitation of Capt.. 
Dennis and Col. Pattee, and addressed the regiment briefly. And as a 
bit of romance, I will add that this occasion incidentally resulted in chang- 
ing the name of Washburn to Hamilton the following spring. 

When the war was over, and the regiment was disbanded, and those 
left of company C returned to this place, they brought with them the 
silken banner which had been their pride and care; and being tendered 
an ovation by the ladies, in the tbrm of a public supper, at Johnson's 
school-house, they made that the occasion of returning the flag to the 
ladies of Clear Creek. The writer, now Mrs. Hamilton, was delegated 
to receive the flag. Many speeches were made, fine quartettes sung, a 
splendid supper served, and everybody was happy. 

STORIES, SKETCHES AND INCIDENTS. 

Grave of an Indian Chief tah^s Son — (B.Dennis). — Near the eastern 
boundary of the township, on the right of way of the C, R. 1. & P. R. R.y 
lie the remains of the son of Shebana, chief of the Pottawattamies. The 
young chief and a few comrades of the tribe left their Rock River home 
in Illinois, for the purpose of inspecting their new home west of the Mis- 
souri river, in the Indian reservation. While on their way the young- 
chief was attacked by fever; he was taken into the cabin of a white man 
and cared for until he died, which was in a few days. His remains were 
deposited in their last resting place by the whites, attended by his sorrow- 
ful and lonely companions, who retraced their steps to the home of their 
tribe. Several years after, the old chief and a few families stopped on 
their way to the Indian reservation, and, enquiring, found the grave, held 
a pow-wow over it, paid Mr. Wise $10 for putting a picket fence around 
the grave; also, a pole, from which streamed the stars and stripes, was 
placed securely; another pow-wow; and then they sadly renewed their 
journey towards the settmg sun. There is nothing now left to mark the 
spot but a slight depression in the earth. 

The Indians moved out of this township about the time the first settlers 
moved in. The government, in treaty with them, broke a section of 
prairie land and established a trading-house for them about five miles east 
of Marengo, in Iowa county. Here they lived, and the squaws cultivated 
the land, while the lazy men of the tribe wrapped their dirty blankets- 
about them and sought their old hunting-grounds in this township, where 
they hunted and fished, and traded with the whites, and got drunk. 



624 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 



WEATHER. 



In 1842-43, Mrs. McConnell moved to this township from below Iowa 
City as far as Carolville on the ice, on the 6th day of April. 

The same winter was a season of much distress and gloom among the 
early settlers on account of unusual severity of weather and deep snow; 
and the question of moving to Oregon in the spring was discussed eagerly 
in the Clear Creek lyceum, and also in a lyceum established over on the 
river in Penn township. The next season proved one of abundant crops, 
and the settlers took heart and stayed. 

This winter the family of Wesly Reynolds lived for two months with- 
out flour in the house, an account of deep snows and difficulty in getting 
to mill. They used baked potatoes for bread and cooked in other ways 
for vegetables. 

Bryan Dennis says, the winter of 1842-3 was memorable for its arctic 
intensity by all who endured the rigor of that winter, penned up in their 
crow^ded log cabins, mere refugees from wind and rain, but not from cold. 
It nearly froze out all the enthusiasm we had for Iowa's beautiful prairies, 
and many talked of emigrating to Oregon. 

The following year being an exceptionally good year, the Oregon fever 
died out. The prairies assumed new beauties, and new farms were opened 
on every hand. 

There was a man frozen to death on English river, in April, which 
illustrates the severity of the much talked of winter and spring of 
1843-4. 

The winter of 1877 was unusually mild and pleasant, particularly the 
early part of the winter. Fall plowing was continued with little inter- 
mission on account of cold until December 20. 

Among all the noted years of unusual weather the year 1882 will take 
precedence, for being the most disagreeable, unfruitful and variable ever 
known in Iowa. The year opened mild, and every indication pointed to 
an early spring, which suddenly in March veered off into winter weather 
after many had sown wheat and planted potatoes; then there were chang- 
able degrees of severity until the middle of May, during which month 
there was a fall of two or three inches of snow, after rye had headed out 
and grass was a foot high. Then followed a succession of disastrous 
storms and floods, which, while not doing here the local damage in some 
localities, yet effectually ruined all the corn on low ground. Following 
the wet spell was a short hot drouth that in a few days " fired " the corn 
on hill land that had been promising a reasonable crop. All varieties of 
fruit except blackerries, were either destroyed by the several late freezes, 
or injured so that the crop was small. 

ORIGIN OF NAME OF SQUASH BEND. 

Bryan Dennis relates: "Dr." Josiah Crawford, from whom the name 
of Squash Bend (now called North Liberty) originated, lived in this"town- 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 625 

ship in the spring and summer of 1842. He was a quack doctor of the 
original type. Being hard pushed for a Hving, he moved to Sugar Bot- 
tom, in Penn township, and occupied a shant^^ vacated by a bachelor 
named Waterson, a farmer from Illinois. Waterson made a claim out on 
the prairie, now a part of the Donner farm. He broke up a few acres 
and planted sod corn, pumpkins and squashes, which was the sole sub- 
sistence of the doctor's family for four or five months. The whole crop 
used was packed in sacks by an old man by the name of Pettis a distance of 
three or four miles. It occupied nearly his whole time. Crawford spent his 
time in visiting his "ager" patients, and in tiie woods gathering " roots and 
yarbs." He w^as very fond of the good things of this life, and never in 
a hurry to leave his patients as long as there was prospect of grub ahead. 
The family at home, meanwhile, enjoyed their change of diet, from roast- 
ing-ears and squash to squash and roasting-ears. Pettis said, ''the board 
done first-rate, but it was mighty hard work to get it." 

Pioneer jokes have a sa\'or of interest to old settlers that the latest 
illustrated comic literature fails to secure. One remembers the story of 
Mr. Bryan Dennis' first and only attempt to dance. "B. Dennis and 
lady " were invited to a wedding. In those days handsome and intelli- 
gent girls did not number as large a majority as they do now in Clear 
Creek township, and Mr. D. escorted a young gentleman and paid him 
the most assiduous attention, in lieu of the more desirable other party. 
Dancing was the order of the entertainment, and the mother of the bride, 
a woman of seventy, mellow with " the hilarity of the occasion " (it stood 
in an open barrel by the door, with the dipper handy), invited Mr. D. to 
lead oft' the dance with herself. Age and beauty were resistless, and he 
could not be less than courteous to his hostess, who had set forth a fine 
spread, for those days, for her guests. So he helped his fair companion 
through the maizy reel(ing) as best he could; but that experience satis- 
fied him, he has never danced since. 

A story is told of a claim quarrel as the only occasion in which the 
populace were stirred to threaten deeds ot violence. As some of the par- 
ties are living, we suppress names. B. bought of A. a claim, and not 
being possessed of much money, turned in a note on a man in Illinois, 
which A. accepted, alter first learning that the note was good. A. did 
not attempt to collect the note until about a year after it was due. The 
man who gave the note in the meantime had failed, and A., to save him- 
self, went to Dubuque and entered the land " over B.'s head." The peo- 
ple got excited and indignant over the transaction and called a mass- 
meeting, which was attended by every man in the township; A. and B. 
were also requested to attend. A. failed to put in an appearance, and 
the meeting sent for him again. The murmurings and threats grew so 
loud that policy told A. he had better appear; and the meeting requested 
him to go out and settle it with B. or the citizens would settle it for him. 



626 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

which he did; and B., being better educated, "saved" himself, while A. 
lost all he had by the transaction. 

This township has been the ground of many romantic episodes. Among 
the earliest was a runaway match between Orla Hall and Miss Mary Clark, 
who were among the earliest marriages, by Esq. Hartwell. Geo. Den- 
nison and Henry Headly espied the parties on horseback riding in haste, 
and taking their horses, followed in time for the denoument of a happy 
wedding, before the pursuing father of the bride reached the scene. All 
were subsequently reconciled, and "lived happily ever after," as the story 
writers says. 

James Douglass was the first emigrant as far west as where the old 
homestead farm is located. Four weeks afterward his brother, Ebenezer 
and family came seeking him, to locate near. They stopped and enquired 
at J. N. Headley's — w^here Wm. Wolfe now resides. They were told that 
only one team had passed, and as this answered his description, they were 
satisfied they were now on the right trail, which they followed till they 
came to the banks of Buffalo creek near the old Copi ford. There they 
lost the trail, and after searching half a day slept over the matter — when 
"Aunt Sarah" dreamed that they were directed to cross the stream, and 
up further towards its source they would find the trail; and that their 
brother's house was at the end of the road — all of which proved correct, 
and was one of those singular coincidinces of dreams that seem so entirely 
unaccountable, but which almost all families occasionally experience. 

Indian arrow heads have been and are yet found in many places. Two 
stone axes were found on the farm of J. M. Douglass, near his present resi- 
dence. They were sent to Prof. Nipher in St. Louis. 

Buffalo creek was named by Jeremiah Slaght; so called from its run- 
ning speed in time of a rapid rise. 

The small stream east of A. J. Bond's residence was long called Pin- 
hook creek, from its peculiar outline. 

GAME AND HUNTING STORIES. 

As late as 1853 deer were frequently seen; Hon. Rolla Johnson saw 
five head, that year on the spot where his residence now stands, and H. 
N. Hyde, his brother-in-law, shot two wild turkeys near the same spot, 
the same year. 

Elk used to roam these glades, and the belts of timber land afforded 
them shelter. J. M. Douglass saw a drove of five at one time. 

A grizzly bear was seen down at Old Man's creek; and E. Douglass 
saw a panther at the head of Clear creek. 

Mr. J. R. Willis saw tracks of bi-ar on sand bars of the Iowa river, but 
never met one. 

Catamounts, wolves, deer, wild cats, turkeys, geese, and ducks were 
plenty. None of these found for many years past. 

Bee hunting, or more properly honey-hunting, has always been a favor- 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. (>37 

ite pastime with early settlers, not only because it was good, but because 
"sweets was dear and skase." John Miller, (now Judge Miller of Mar- 
engo) went to Marshall county in 1840 on a honey hunt, and brought 
back a barrel of strained honey. 

J. M. Douglass on one occasion shot five fish with one rifle shot. The 
fish collectively measured ten feet, the largest weighing seven pounds. 
Affidavit on demand, if you don't believe it. 

Another time he was wading Clear Creek when a fish ran between his 
feet; he caught it in this extemporaneous fish gate, and it weighed two 
pounds. 

The same gentleman had his hunting luck b}' bunches; one time he 
killed five prairie chickens at one shot; at another time he brought down 
seven ducks at one shot. 

Deer were once plentiful in these groves, and venison steak as common 
as beef is now. They were so plenty as to be at times a nuisance to early 
settlers, breaking into fields and eating corn like hogs; bnt they were shy 
and often difficult to capture. A party of four men chased a drove of 
seventeen deer from Old Man's creek into this township, and only got 
one. 

Mr. J. J. Shephardson was the mighty Nimrod of this section. In the 
year 1850, he killed forty deer and fifty-two wild turkeys, by actual count. 
The last day of the year was one of unusual severity. A blinding snow 
storm prevailed. Shephardson had killed thirty-nine deer; but on being 
told that an Indian had killed that many, he seized his gun and started 
out, determined to beat that Indian. He saw a deer and chased it several 
miles through the pelting storm; he finally shot it down in a creek full of 
snow and ice, where before he could secure the deer he froze both of his 
feet. He once killed a very large catamount in Snow's Grove, south of 
Oxford; wounded it first and on following it, just as it was crouched to 
spring upon him, raised his gun and shot it dead. It measured five feet 
nine inches. Finding he could not carry it home, he skinned it and sold 
the hide in Iowa City. As he was returning home with the hide and a 
wild turkey he had shot, he was chased by wolves some distance; and 
just as they were getting .in uncomfortable proximity, Shepardson's 
faithful dogs came to meet him, as was their custom, and rescued their 
master. On one occasion he was chased by what he supposed were 
wolves, but on investigating the next morning, was discovered to be a 
panther, by its tracks. 

Mr. Shepardson is a noted wolf hunter, having claimed the bounty 
oftener and more at a time than any one in the county. In the last five 
years he has killed 121 wolves, bringing him the neat bounty of $605. 
The largest number killed in one year was thirty-three. He has often 
found Indian arrow heads whilst out hunting, some of them as large as 
four and one-half inches long. 

In all Mr. Shepardson's conflict with savage game, and killing over 500 



C28 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

deer, he never met with an accident but twice; once he was kicked by a 
large buck in its death throes and was knocked about a rod on frozen 
ground. On another occasion, a large buck that Mr. S. thought he had 
killed, rallied just as he had taken hold of it, and struck him a blow on the 
left breast that knocked him insensible for a time. When he recov^ered 
his senses he was clinging to the deer's neck, while it was circling and 
kicking in a frightful way. He drew his knife and ended the circus, but 
has never fully recovered from that blow. 

He once killed a buck with sixteen prongs to his antlers. He killed a 
moosehead in Hardin county, with fort3'-three pronj^s to his antlers. 

Reptiles were very large in early days. Mr. Shepardson once killed a 
bull snake 8^ feet long, just as it was coiled to spring upon him. 

Large orchards numbering 100 trees or more, are owned by Hon. Geo. 
Paul, N. Scales, Chas. Colany, Wm. Wolfe, Hon. Rolla Johnson, A. J. 
Bond, H. Springmeyer and Wesley Reynolds. Mr. J. R. Willis had an 
orchard of 500 or 600 trees that have borne well; but using his orchard 
for a hog pasture has greatly injured it and in many instances killed the 
trees. He is now plowing it and filling the vacancies with choice fruit. 

The orchard owned and planted by Hon. Geo. Paul was the first orchard 
planted in the township — principally apples from the Nicholas Longworth 
nursery, of all varieties; but also contains pears, peaches, plums, cherries. 

No personal enterprise of the township is viewed with more public satis- 
faction and interest than the larcre and fiourishincr orchard of Hon. Rolla 
Johnson, which occupies forty acres in extent. Since it came into bearing 
it has yielded enormous crops of fruit. The land is part of the original 
farm of Mr. Johnson, and most favorably located as to soil and protection 
for the purpose of raising fruit. About ten years since it was planted 
principally with apple trees, but later with all varieties of grapes. One 
year his vines gave a marvelous 3'ield. He sold two tons; and finding it 
impossible to give them any more time without neglecting his crop of fall 
and winter apples, he gave notice to the people to come and get what 
grapes they wanted, free of cost; and tons of them were disposed of in 
this way, while other tons dropped to the ground ungathered. Last year 
his trees did not bear so well, but he sold over $400 worth of winter apples. 
Mr. Johnson thinks that the late freezes that destroyed all the fruit this 
spring [1882] will change the bearing year, and that another year the trees 
will bear heavily. For choice fruit he cultivates cherries, pears, peaches^ 
Siberian crab apples, chestnuts (bearing trees), grapes, — principally [Con- 
cords — strawberries, raspberries, &c. Mr. Johnson has something over 
1,500 apple trees, comprising the following varieties: Ben Davis, Jonathan, 
Willow Twig, White Pippin, Benoni, Sweet June, Red June, Fameuse, 
Walbridge, Red Romanite, Dominie, Snow apple, — about the onh^ apple 
bearing this year — and others. In crabs his favorite is Whitney No. 
10— as large as an ordinary apple and of most delicate flavor.. In 1880, 
that wonderful fruit year, Mr. Johnson sold 1,100 bushels of winter apples. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 629 

Bryan Dennis was born Angust 1, 1819, in Batavia, Clermont county 
Ohio; came to Clear Creek township in 1839 with his mother. October 
30, 1844, he was married to Miss Agnes J. McConnell, in Iowa City, at 
the residence of the bride's brother-in-law, Rev. W. K. Talbott, who 
also performed the interesting ceremony. In coming to their home the 
same day, when coming up the Folsom hill near where the " Centennial 
bridge" is now, Mr. Isaac V. Dennis, who as "best man" of the occasion, 
was driving, sportively threatened to upset the party, which feat, [not 
difficult to accomplish at the same place even in the present time,] he suc- 
ceeded in doing, to his great mortification and regret, a moment later for 
it hurt Mr. Bryan Dennis quite badly. Mr. Dennis bought the land 
where he now lives, which then was claimed by Mr. Sprague, and the 
happy pair set up their home on this spot, a home that has been noted for 
more that forty years for its hospitality, and social delights.. From his 
youth up Mr. Dennis has been one of the foremost men in the community in 
all matters of public interest, occupying the most of the time some town- 
ship office. His counsel is sought on many subjects, and by all classes of 
people, and is always kindly and sympathizingly given. He has been quite 
prominent, as these pages will testify, in all matters connected with lit- 
erary exercises, debates, etc., and although debarred h\- the few school 
privileges of pioneer life from the education he has so liberally given his 
children, he has yet had the natural nbility to apply the three months' 
schooling, (all he ever had), to better account than many who take a uni- 
versity course. Like his compatriot and fellow pioneer, Hon. Geo. Paul, 
who never attended school after he was nme years of age, there is 
nothing to indicate illiteracy either in speech or pen. These men have 
profited by reading and observation to an extent worthy to be imitated 
by our men of to-day. His wife, Mrs. Agnes J. Dennis, was born April 
25, 1825; came to Iowa in 1837, with her father, John McConnell, and to 
this township, in 1841. Mrs. Dennis is a lady beloved and respected by- 
all who know her, useful in church and society, and a model wife and 
mother in her own family. Seven children were the fruits of this union, 
four of whom are living; Mrs. Mary Howe, of Janesville, Iowa, her hus- 
band. Rev. Chas. Howe, being a Presbyterian minister; Mrs. Josie Rem- 
ley, whose husband is a lawyer in Iowa City; Mr. E.J. Dennis of Tiffin, 
and Miss Lottie Dennis, who is still at home. Their family includes also, 
an adopted daughter, Miss Nellie Slocum, a niece of Mrs Bryan Dennis, 
whose mother died in 1865, leaving her orphan daughter of five years to 
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis, who have most faithfully fulfilled their promises to 
the dying mother to care for the little motherless one as their own. 

This lovely christian home is also still lighted Dy the presence (1882) of 
Mr. Dennis' aged mother, Mrs. McConnell, who is at once mother and 
step-mother ,'and mother-in-law and grandmother in the same family circle; 
for mother McConnell was step-mother to Agnes McConnell before she 
became Mrs. Bryan Dennis. 
40 



630 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

CHAPTER X.— PART 4. 



Beginnings of " Big Bottom," by Nicholas Zeller. — Being the Early Settlement of what is 
now Madison and Penn Townships. 

BEGINNINGS OF " BIG BOTTOM." 

In 1870 Mr. Nicholas Zeller wrote for the "Annals of Iowa," a brief 
history of the earl}' days of the " Big Bottom," or " Big Bend," or " North 
Bend " settlement, as it was variously called, and which ultimately devel- 
oped into Madison and Penn townships. Mr. Zeller was one of the most 
careful and reliable of the pioneer history writers, and we here by per- 
mission give his sketch entire; but the reader should bear in mind all the 
time that it was written in 1870, and not in 1882, so that some things men- 
tioned are not now just as they were when Mr. Zeller wrote: John Gay- 
lor and Alonzo C. Denison were the first men who made claims with the 
intention of settling in what is now known as Penn and Madison town- 
ships, Johnson county. Both were from Bureau county, Ills. Gaylor 
arrived late in the summer of 1838, with his family, and made his claim 
where the farm of John Wilson now is, who bought Gaylor's claim and 
entered the first land in the settlement. 

Alonzo C. Denison in a few weeks followed Gaylor, and made his claim 
near by and returned to Illinois, and the following spring returned with 
his family and brothers, Joseph and George Denison, who all made their 
claims on the edge of the prairie and timber. Gaylor erected a cabin 
about twelve feet square in the timber to winter in the first winter, where 
was born the first white child in the settlement, no white settlers being 
nearer than Iowa City, ten miles distant. Medical assistance was had 
from the neighboring squaws. Gordon A. Denison, then about three 
months old, was the first white child brought to the settlement. This 
was in the spring of 1839. Gaylor was an athletic man, about six feet 
two inches in height, kind and afiectionate, but able and willing to defend 
himself in any emergency, and is supposed to be still living in Illinois. 

The three Denisons are still residents of the county, and two of them 
have seen their second generation. Joseph still resides on the claim he 
first made, and is now the oldest "settler" in the vicinity. These were 
soon followed by other, and in June, 1840, the following persons were resi- 
dents bv claim law, as the land had not been surveyed, viz.: David 
Wray, Carson B. Wray, George Wein, John W. Alt, Jacob H. Alt, Joseph 
A. Alt, Adam Alt, Jackson Purdoo, Ira Purdoo, Evan DoUarhide, Rev. 
Israel Clark, Martin Harless, Robert Waterson, John Asian, Hugh 
Napier, David Crozier, Gilbert and Frank Herington, and James Cham- 
berlain. About this time emigration commenced again to travel toward 
the setting sun. 

William Dupont was the first white man who moved through the settle- 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 631 

ment, "westward bound." These pioneer families were all "metal of the 
true ring," and began to think of founding a school; and in 1841 Benjamin 
Horner taught the first school in a cabin erected by David Crozier, and 
vacated by him. It took tire and burned down during school time; but 
not discouraged, in 1813 a pretty good and respectable log house was 
built, where North Liberty is now located. In 1849 the house was 
remodeled and improved; in 1860 a new frame house was erected, and 
the school graded. The iirst graded school was taught by Miss Martha 
J. Bowman. The house built in 1843 answered for school and all public 
business, and religious worship. 

Elder Lineback preached the first sermon in the settlement in the shade 
of the grove where the first claim was made by Gaylor, John Horner and 
Israel Clark. The next, A. C. Denison, was the first man to erect the 
"family altar" in the settlement; now whose families number several 
scores. 

The settlement increased rapidly, and when the township was organ- 
ized, on motion of Francis Bowman, it was named Pe7in tozvns/u'p, in 
honor of the renowned William Penn, which was since, under the county 
judgeship of Hon. Geo. W. McCleary, divided into Penn and Madison 
townships. 

NAMES OF STREAMS. 

There are four small streams entirely within the " big bottom," as it 
was originally called, now known as North Bend: 1st, Purdoo creek, 
Jackson and Ira Purdoo settling near the mouth of said creek. One of 
the Purdoos exploring the creek to its head saw a cabin near the source, 
to which he went, and as he was a stranger and somewhat jocular, 
enquired of the lady of the cabin where Purdoo river was. The lady 
could think of no such river, and the stranger (Purdoo) got no informa- 
tion of Purdoo river. Afterward the joke was discovered, and the creek 
was called Purdoo creek. This was the original name, and should now 
characterize the little stream. Afterward it bore several names, viz.: 
Buflalo, DoUarhide, and Dirty Face creek. The name Dirty Face origi- 
nated thus: In those early days citizens did not always settle disputes by 
feeing lawyers, and passing through the routine of law, but sometimes 
settled them with the stout arm of their own law, without lawyers or jus- 
tice's court. A settlement or suit of this kind came oft in Iowa City, then 
a small village, between the-before-named Harless and one Ashn. Both 
parties being in town, and it being a very dry time, the streets were sev- 
eral inches deep with dust (street sprinklers being then unknown in Iowa). 
The trial took place in the street, without lawyers or justice, and who- 
ever was willing pitched in, and before it was over some half dozen were 
at it. Both sides claimed the victory, and it was unsettled, both parties 
coming out of the battle with \\\€\x faces covered with dust (and, of course, 
no credit) so as to be hardly recognizable. Harless, to give vent to his 



632 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

feelings and outflank Aslin, called the creek " Dirty Face," as it was then 
called Dollarhide creek. 

Spring run was so named twenty years ago by the writer, from its 
being less liable to freeze than ordinary streams emptying into Purdoo 
creek. 

Spring creek was so named for similar reasons as Sprmg run, and its 
neighborhood was first settled by Adolph Roberts. 

Dry run, so named from its liability to rise very high during a thaw in 
winter, freeze over, and the water leave the ice sometimes ten or twelve 
feet, was first settled upon by O. G. Babcock and Henry S. Gould. 

NAME OF SETTI>EMENT. 

Big Bottom was the name known to frontier men before settlement; 
after settlement it named itself the Bend or North Bend., the Iowa river 
bearing nearly due north, and then nearly due west, making the name — 
North Bend of the Iowa River. 

A scarcity of mills for grinding was among the privations to endure 
bv those pioneer families. Before any mills were in the county, not an 
unusual mode of grindmg corn was by a grate made of a piece of tin 
eight by ten or twelve inches, punched full of holes, and nailed, with the 
rough side up, on a piece of hewed wood, and raised in the middle by 
sticking a cob under it. The corn was boiled, then half dried, and it 
would grate easily. One of these primitive grates or mills is still in exist- 
ence, and ought to be preserved. The Switzer mills, near Iowa City, the 
first in the county, afforded some relief. Next, Mr. Chaney commenced 
building a mill near the mouth of Purdoo creek, the burrs of which he 
manufactured out of our prairie boulders. This was some help, but in 
low water Mr. Chaney had to sometimes help the water-wheel to start, 
and if it ceased to move help was applied, and it would grind and bolt 
some. At present the -nearest mill on the Iowa River claims over two 
hundred horse-power, and there is another of considerable capacity, and 
a number ot steam flouring mills, and the Iowa river water-power is still 
not yet half improved. Imagination may well be stretched to measure 
the next thirty years by the past thirty, or by looking at the little corn 
grate and then at our present merchant mills. It would be worth a little 
boat-ride on the Iowa river to the millers of the present day, to see the 
little corn grate of 1839 and 1840. 

ANECDOTES. 

In those early days Mr. Geo. Wein procured a Durham bull calf from 
Ohio, which grew to be a gigantic animal, and was known by the name 
of Santa Anna, not being handled much, and wild. Israel Clark became 
the owner of him, and his son Daniel, a young man in the prime of life, 
undertook to bring him home from the prairies, he being on foot with a 
bridle in his hand. The bull refused to be driven and he could not drive 
him, so he concluded to mount him and drive him with the bridle. He 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 633 

succeeded in mounting him; the bull bellowing and making all manner of 
lunges, finally threw him, the bull being the worst worried; and Clark, 
an exceedingly active and light man, sprang upon his back again, bridle 
in hand, and this time succeeded in conquering him, and rode him home. 
Afterward it was said he could ride a buftalo home if he desired, but I 
think he never succeeded. 

While one of those pioneer men was building his cabin, a number of 
Indians were encamped on the river. A hearty young Indian came up 
and addressed himself as politely as he knew how, and desired to siva^ 
squaivs. The man, somewhat amused, enquired of him where his squaw 
was. He said she had gone up the river. He was then told, no swap. 

TRAITS OF CHARACTER. 

Notwithstanding the errors which have characterized some of the set- 
tlers, as is common since the days of Adam and Eve, three things have 
been foremost among the virtues of the people of this section, viz: 1st, 
The fear of God. 2d, Industry. 3d, Education. These three are com- 
mon to the State. This "Big Bottom" now [1870] contains about a 
dozen school-houses and four meeting-houses or churches. 



CHAPTER XL— PART 1. 



HISTORY OF IOWA CITY. 
FACTS, INCIDENTS AND SKETCHES OF THE CITy's EARLY DAYS. 

The history of Iowa City is so intimately connected with the early his- 
tory of Iowa territory, and also with the early settlement of the county, 
that it has to a large extent been already given in the state history part of 
this volume, and in the several chapters on different parts of the county 
history. There is not a chapter of the latter but what involves more or 
less of the city's history also. Hence there is left for this chapter only a 
few more especially local matters not presented elsewhere. 

Iowa City was located in May, 1839, by the Stale Capital Commis- 
sioners. It was surveyed and laid out in June, July and August of that 
year, under the direction of Chauncey Swan, one of the commissioners. 
The first lots were sold August 20th, and the first one bid off was to John 
Trout, for the sum of $100, It was near where the Presbyterian Church 
now stands. 

The city lies in forty-two degrees north latitude, ver}'^ nearly on the 
same line with the cities of Cleveland, Ohio, Albany, N. Y., and Boston, 
Mass. Its longitude is 91^ degrees west from Washington. No other 
large city on the same line north and south. 

Iowa City township now comprises only the territory within the city 
limits, as ordered by the county board on January 15, 1873. It is divided 



634 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

into two precincts for state elections — north and south — Iowa Avenue 
forming the separation line; but it is divided into five wards, for city elec- 
tions and other municipal corporation business. [See history of Lucas 
township.] 

February 4, 1878, in response to certain petitions, the county board 
ordered : 

That the township of Iowa City be, and the same is hereby divided into 
two precincts for election purposes by a line commencing in the centre of 
Iowa Avenue at the western boundary line of said Iowa City township, 
and running thence east along the center of said avenue to the eastern 
boundary line of Iowa City township; that all that part of said township 
lying north of said dividing line, shall be called the north precinct of Iowa 
City township; that all that part of said township lying south of said 
dividing line shall be called the south precinct of Iowa City township. 

September 7, 1878, the following was among the proceedings: 

For the election in the north and south precints of Iowa City township 
the board appointed, as provided in section 606, code, the judges for the 
precincts, to-wit: South precinct, J. Norwood Clark, H. W. Fyfle and 
Michael Fitzsimmons. For the north precinct, E. O. Swain, D. S. Barber 
and J. W. Houza. 

CHANGE IN THE BOUNDARY OF IOWA CITY TOWNSHIP. 

April 7, 1879, it was by the county board — 

Resolved^ That the boundary lines of Iowa City township be and the 
same are hereby changed and extended so as to include that part of 
Lucas township recently annexed to Iowa City, and to the independent 
school district of said city and township, to-wit: Beginning at a point on 
the left bank of the Iowa river at the southwest corner of lot three, of sec- 
tion fifteen, thence east to the southeast corner of the northwest quarter 
of section fourteen, thence north to the northeast corner of the west half 
of the southwest quarter of section two; thence west to the northwest 
corner of the east half of the southeast quarter of section three; thence 
south to the north line of section ten, all in township seventy-nine north, 
range six west of the fifth P. M., and the said annexed territory, together 
with the original territory of Iowa City township, shall from and after this 
date constitute Iowa City township for all purposes of township organiza- 
tion. Resolution prevailed. 

Mr. L. A. Allen, present township clerk (1882) furnishes the following 
report: 

Iowa City township was organized in 1840. There were then two 
townships in the count}^, Iowa City and Big Grove. The first board of 
trustees were David Griffith, J. W. Lee and J. K. Beranck. First clerk, 
Geo. L. Taylor. 

The first election was held at James McCollister's place, in 1838. 

The first school house was built by Jesse Berry, in 1840, adjoining the 
site now occupied by Seydel's grocery, corner of College and Clinton 
streets. 

The first cemetery was a part of out-lot number ten, which now forms 
part of the Oakland Cemetery grounds. The equalized value of real 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 635 

estate in the township in 1881 was $1,177,890; the personalty, $42(),223; 
the whole amount of property taxed, $1,598,113. The present township 
trustees (1882) are J. Norwood Clark, Joseph Pisha and F. W. Rabenan. 
Clerk, L. A. Allen.] See history of Lucas township.] 

LAYING OFF THE COUNTY SEAT. 

November 9th, 1840, it was — 

Ordered by the board, that the northwest quarter of section No. 
fifteen be laid out in blocks and out-lots, as follows: Twent^'^-four blocks 
to be surveyed ofl' the north at present, — -each block to be three hundred 
and twenty feet square, including alleys. The north and south streets to 
correspond with the streets which run north and south in Iowa Cit}', and 
the streets running east and west to be eighty feet wide, each block to be 
sub-divided into eight lots each, and alley to be twenty feet wide, under 
the superintendence of Philip Clark, one of said commissioners. 

November 21, 1810, Philip Clark reported to the board that he had per- 
formed the duty assigned him, and had agreed to pay for services of 
assistants an aggregate sum of $74.37. 

INCORPORATION OF IOWA CITY. 

On January 24, 1853, an act was approved and took effect, "To Incor- 
porate Iowa City." Some passages of this act have a permanent historic 
interest, and we quote: 

"That the town of Iowa City, situated in section ten and the north-west 
quarter of section fifteen, in township seventy-nine north, of range six west, 
in Johnson county, is hereby declared to be a city by the name of Iowa 
City. 

"Sec 2. The said city is made a body corporate, and is invested with 
all the powers and attributes of a municipal corporation. 

"Sec 3. The legislative authority of the city is vested in a city council, 
consisting of a mayor, and board of aldermen, composed ot three from 
each ward in the city. 

"Sec 4. The said city shall be divided into three wards, as follows, 
to-wit: That the portion lying south of Burlington street shall constitute 
the first ward; that portion lying north of Burlington street and south of 
Jefferson street shall constitute the second ward; and all that portion lying 
north of Jefferson street shall constitute the third ward ; Provided, That 
the said city council may change, unite or divide the said wards, or»any 
of them, whenever they shall think it for the interest of the city." 

Section 29 shows that the liquor trafic was a tribulation even at that 
early period in our State history, for it provided that 

"When the laws of the State permit or refuse licenses for the sale of 
intoxicating liquors, that the matter shall be within the exclusive authority 
of said council, and it may at all times prohibit the retail of such IJquors, 
unless such prohibition would be inconsistent with the laws of the State at 
the time existing; and the said council is authorized to revoke or suspend 
any of the above licenses, when it deems that the good order and w^elfare 
of the city require it." 

January IS, 1855, an act was passed to amend our city charter. This 
amendment provided that all property of the city corporation should be 



636 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

exempt from state and county taxes; that Iowa City should constitute 
one road district; authorized the city to tax dogs; to borrow money, by 
vote of the people, ttc. But the most important part of this amendment 
was in regard to extending the city boundaries, as follows: 

Section 5. That the boundaries of said city shall be extended so as 
to include the following described premises, to wit: Beginning at the 
southwest corner of out-lot number twenty-five, as designated on the 
recorded plat of said city, running thence south along the east side of 
Gilbert street, as designated on the recorded plat of Lyons' first addition 
to Iowa City, to where said street intersects the Mississippi and Missouri 
Railroad depot, thence westerly along the north side of said depot to 
Maiden Lane as designated on said plat of said Lyons' addition, thence 
north along the west side of said Maiden Lane, to the south side of out- 
lot number twenty-four of Iowa City, thence east along the south side of 
said lot to the place of beginning; and the said described pemises is hereby 
added to, and included within the corporate limits of Iowa City, and made 
subject to the jurisdiction of the cit}^ authorities thereof in like man- 
ner, and to all intents end purposes as though the same had been included 
within the corporate limits of said city, at the time of the incorporation 
thereof, the said addition to said city shall constitute a part of the first ward 
thereof until changed by the City Council." 

July 16, 1856, the city charter was again amended, and more territory 
taken into the corporate limits, thus: 

"That all that district of country hereafter described, be andthesameis 
declared to be added to and included within the corporate limits of Iowa 
City, in the county of Johnson, to wit: Being bounded on the north and 
west by the present corporative limits of said city, and on the east and 
south in a line commencing at the southeast corner of lot No. 28, as desig- 
nated on the original plat of Iowa City; thence south to the Wyoming 
road as shown on the new map of said city compiled and drawn by J. H. 
Miller in 1854, thence west to the southeast corner of that part of said 
city laid out and recorded as the county seat of Johnson county." 

a. d. stephens' addition to iowa city. 

April 15, 1846. 

Ethiel C. Lyon, the owner of all the interests in and to the town lots, or 
out-lots, known as "Andrew D. Stephens' addition to Iowa City," this day 
presented his petition praying for the vacation of said town plot. To 
whicfi John D. Abel, at the same time (being an owner of one of the lots), 
objects, and the objections being afterwards withdrawn, it is therefore 

Ordered, That all of said town plot be, and the same is hereby vacated, 
except all that part of the south end of Van Buren street which lies 
between lots No. 21 and 22, and the south half of the west end of South 
street, as far east as the centre of Van Buren street, and all of Shoup 
street which lies on the west side of said tow n plot. 

IOWA CITY IN 1840. 
Major Newhall's "Sketches of Iowa," published in 1841, contains a 
sketch of Iowa City which is worth preserving. It shows what were the 
known facts of the situation at that time, and the ideas and hopes of the 
great future of the city and the State then cherished by the most intelli- 
gent people. Newhall says: 



I 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 637 

The unprecedented growth of Iowa City, from a wilderness frontier, 
beyond the pale of civilization, is indeed a wonder in the growth of towns. 
When the reader reflects that on the 1st day of May, 1839, this spot was 
the hunting-ground of the savage, where now refinement and even ele- 
gance have made their visible impress, the capitol rearing its massy walls 
above the forest, and brick stores and spacious hotels erecting where the 
council fires have scarcely ceased to burn; surely his mind must be rapt 
in astonishment in contemplating its rapid growth. 

On the 4th of May, 1839, the commissioners appointed by the legisla- 
tive assembly selected the site of the new city, to be the future and per- 
manent capital of Iowa. The spot selected is near the geographical cen- 
tre of Johnson county, and occupied a convenient and central position in 
the terrritory of Iowa. It is situated about thirty-three miles west northwest 
from Bloomington, sixty-five miles west from Parkhurst on the Mississippi, 
about twenty miles east of the Indian boundary, eighty east of the mouth 
of the Raccoon fork of the Des Moines, ninety south from the neutral 
grounds of the Sacs and Foxes, eighty-three north of the Missouri line, 
eighty-six miles from Dubuque, and seventy-five from Burlington. 

The principal requistes required by the commissioners in locating the 
permanent capital of Iowa were health, beauty of location, good water, 
and convenience to timber and stone suitable for building; all of which 
they found combined, in an eminent degree, at the same spot, and cen- 
trally situated in the midst of a region of country which, for natural 
beauty and fertility of soil, may safely challenge a comparison with the 
world. 

The banks of the Iowa, which, in many places, are cut up by ravines 
and sloughs, are, from about three miles below this point to its sources, 
high and dry, abounding with rock, with a beautitul undulating country, 
with springs of pure crystal water, skirting both its shores, and exhibiting 
every appearance of health. The river opposite the town is about eighty 
yards in width, a clear, limpid stream, with sand and gravel bottom, and 
of sufficient depth of water for keel or flat boats at its lowest stage, being 
never less than twenty inches. Both banks of the Iowa, commencing at 
the upper part of the town site, and continuing five or six miles above, 
are stored with inexhaustible quarries of stone. 

"Big Grove," which is situated between the Iowa and Cedar rivers, 
has been pronounced to be one of the largest and best bodies of timber in 
the territory, being about twenty miles in length, with an average width 
of six or seven miles. In short, it would have been difficult for the com- 
missioners to have selected a more favored spot, where building materials 
of the best quality are to be had in greater abundance. 

The site of the location is one of unrivalled beauty. The most vivid 
imagination can scarcely picture to itself so captivating a spot, situated in 
the midst of all that wild rural scenery which can tend to embellish and 
render it desirable. The river first approaches the town from the north- 
west, through rocky banks of moderate height, covered with a thick 
grove of stately trees, and then turns to the south, and flows off between 
unequal banks scattered over with venerable oaks; opposite the city, on 
the west side of the river, the banks are abrupt and bold, and rising from 
the water's edge, about fifty feet above its surface, to the level of a smooth 
prairie, which approaches the river at this place, and then sweeps ofl 
westward in beautiful undulations of hill and dale. 

The preceding remarks are the substance of a well written article that 



638 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

appeared in one of the Burlington newspapers soon after the location of 
"Iowa City" was made, and although to those unacquainted with the 
character of our scenery it may appear fanciful, nevertheless the delinea- 
tions are drawn with the lideHty of truth. The concluding remarks are 
from random sketches that ihe writer noted down in a little diary written 
upon my first visit to Iowa City in June, 1840. Since that period I have 
been informed that its prosperity continues unabated. To give the reader 
a faint outline of the unparalleled progress of this young city, I will state 
that about the first of May, 1839, Mr. Swan, the acting commissioner 
selected this spot, then in a state of nature, surrounded by sayages, Powe- 
shiek's band of Sacs being two or three miles below, (at what is now 
Napoleon.) And even as late as June following, the sojourner was com- 
pelled to sleep in his blanket for nearly two weeks. On the first day of 
July, 1839, the survey of the city was commenced under the direction of 
the board of commissioners, and the taste displayed and the liberality 
evinced in the size of lots, width of streets, public squares, school and 
church reserves, reflects the highest credit upon the enHghtened judg- 
ment of the commissioners. 

The design of the capitol is a chaste specimen of the Grecian and 
Doric architecture, with horizontal cornice and entabulature, surmounted 
by a dome supported by twenty-two Corinthian columns. It is 120 feet 
in length by sixty wide, two stories high from the basement. It is built 
upon Capitol street which runs upon the ridge, or third elevation from 
the river, and fronting Iowa avenue, which is the same width of the capi- 
tol, (120 feet), presenting a captivating and imposing appearance. The 
site of the capitol can be seen from every part of the city. The first 
grade or plateau from the river is devoted to a public promenade, being 
an average of 100 yards in width, and half a mile in length, bordering on 
the river. The second elevation is about twelve feet above the first. 
The third elevation about thirty feet above the promenade. A grade of 
fifteen degrees is contemplated, making about fifty feet from the bed of 
the river to the site of the capitol. On Ralston's creek, about half a 
mile from the capitol, there have been discovered three springs, within. a 
diameter of twenty feet, each possessing different properties — one of 
chalybeat, one of sulphur, the third very cold lime rock. The waters of 
the two first are said to be powerful cathartics. The celebrated "bird's- 
eye" marble was first discovered upon this creek, of a softer texture and 
more delicate whiteness than that found in the quarries. 

Up to the present time, IS-IO, being about fourteen months from the 
commencement of Iowa City, it contains a population of about 700 inhabi- 
tants, a spacious city hotel, three or four brick buildings, and several others 
in progress, ten dry goods, grocery and provision stores, one drug store, 
one saddlery, two blacksmiths, one gunsmith, three or four coffee houses, 
four lawyers, three physicians, one church, and one primary school; in 
short, presenting all the appearance, bustle and activity of a citv of 3'ears, 
rather than a prodigy of months. 

Should the skeptical feel inclined to question the accuracy of this state- 
ment, I can assure them it has been the result of personal inspection. I 
counted, even in the middle of last May, rising of 100 buildings, and saw 
and heard the busy workmen engaged on as many more. At that time, 
conversing with a gentleman from Pennsylvania, who came to the "city" 
the week preceding, and had a frame house covered, and his goods in it; 
he said to me, "five days ago my house was in the woods, growing." 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 639 

I have heard of cities springinor into existence as if by magic, but in no 
case have I ever known the application so just as when applied to this 
young capital of Iowa. When the mind refers back, as it were, but to a 
single leaf in the calender of time, reviewing the recent past, and contem- 
plating the ominious present, rife with the coming developments of the 
future, how exalted must be its conceptions of the destiny that awaits us, 
if our institutions are formed on the broad basis of public morals, religion, 
and virtue! Then are our liberties secure, and our prosperity certain. 

IOWA CITY POETRY. 

On January 1st, 1 842, the Iowa Capital Reporter, issued a "Carrier's 
New Year Address," comprising 158 lines of octometer verse. For a 
period of perhaps twenty years it was almost a universal custom in news- 
paper printing offices all over the country to issue such an address to the 
patrons of the paper. The rhymes were supposed to be addressed by the 
boy who carried the papers around every week to the houses of its sub- 
scribers in town, and this bo}^ was known as the "printer's devil." The 
address was usually printed in such a way on a sheet by itself as to con- 
stitute a sample or specimen of the neat and tasteful quality of job print- 
ing which could be done at that office ; and rival offices vied with each 
other to see which should put forth the finest New Year Address. The 
carrier boy or "devil" peddled these around town, and received for a copy 
whatever any one chose to give him, whether it were ten cents, a quarter, 
or half dollar. This w^as his perquisite, or rather "reward of merit" for 
faithfully delivering the paper in rain or shine, storm, snow, sleet, mud, 
wind, cold, heat, and if he had made himself something of a popular 
favorite, he would be liberally patronized on his New Year rhymes. The 
writers of these annual strophes had a large latitude of privilege, in sub- 
ject matter, but were expected to make at least some part of the address 
of a character local to the town where it was issued. This first Iowa 
City address rambled all over creation and part of Texas, in its lofty soar- 
ings on the wings of Pegassus; but we can only cite such passages as 
touched Iowa City or Johnson county. It was batter than the average of 
such productions, but the author of it is unknown. 

Where once the forest threw its shade, 
On the hill-side and verdant glade; 
Where once the Indian riders lay 
Protected from the noon-tide ray, 
Under the oak trees' covering strown. 
The pale-face nation then unknown. 
Stands now a city, which "they say" 
Will rival all in Iowa. 
And wherefore not? If time by-gone 
Foretells what fast is hurrying on. 
Then ev'ry prophet-eye may see 
Our city's great prosperity. 
Look where yon massive structure rears 
Its head — the work of two brief years; 
Look where our smiling mansions stand, 



640 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Rising as if from fairy-land; 
Look on our stalwart men around — 
Hear anvils ring — hear axes sound! 
Hark! how mechanics' arts are plied, 
And labor's voice is echoing wide: 
Here too hath learning's blessings come, 
And star-gemm'd science found a home. 
Along the mighty river's side 
Fast flowing roars the human tide; 
And panting 'gainst the giant stream 
Rushes the tire-steed of steam. 
Our thronging wharfs are crowded o'er 
And noisy bustle wakes each shore; 
And hurrying on from day to day, 
Thus speeds the year in Iowa: 
Therefore shall not our bosoms thrill 
Deeper, higher, holier still. 
And could we wish to cast our view 
To pierce the future's mantle through; 
Would we not see this prospect blest 
Wide-stretching to the far-off West? 
Would we not see each rich champaign 
Made golden with the yellow grain? 
Would we not see the living tide 
Fast flowing to Missouri's side? 
And may not fancy's list'ning ear 
Far to the eastward plainly hear, 
The trampling crowds that onward come 
To make our glorious land their home? 
Aye, every hope our hearts can swell. 
Aye, every tale our thoughts can tell. 
Will stern reality excel." 

In the course of the poem the word "Ke-ish-shaw-qua" is given as the 
Indian name for the Des Moines river; and the town of Keosauquain Van 
Buren county took its name from this Indian word. 

IOWA CITY IN 1844. 

A little paper called The Colporteur was started in November, 1844, 
and in its first number Iowa City was thus described for the benefit of its 
eastern readers: 

"This great city of the west, which was located May 4, 1839, contains 
between one and two thousand inhabitants; and of citizens too, for intelli- 
gence, morality, and urbanity of manners, are not a whit inferior to any of 
the cities of the Atlantic States. In this city, we have five meeting houses, 
and seven churches, a court house and State House, the latter of which 
cost not less probably than one hundred and ten thousand dollars. There 
is also a valuable and extensive territorial library of several thousand vol- 
umes. The capital is located on the Iowa river, a healthy navigable stream, 
and is thirty-three miles west of Bloomington, a beautiful village on the 
Mississippi. There is a good flouring mill within two and a half miles of 
the city, and another being erected within one and a half mile of the city. 
There are also in the city three mineral springs, which ultimately may be 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 641 

considered of importance. We have three hotels, seven dry good stores, 
two apothecary shops and three groceries. In but few of our cities in the 
"great west," are so many advantages combined as here. Not even New 
England can surpass it for healthiness of location. Emigration is rapidly 
advancing and is already extended one hundred miles west of us." 

FIRST CITY DIRECTORY PUBLISHED. 

We are are indebted to ex-Gov. Kirkwood for a copy of the first city 
directory of Iowa City. It was published in 1857, by John Kennedy. Mr. 
Kennedy's preface says: 

"In many instances persons would refuse to give their given names, 
or the business they were engaged in, thus leaving blanks that we cannot 
fill. Others could not comprehend the intention of a directory, nor would 
they believe the utility and service it might be to the city generally. The 
history is not, perhaps, so full as might have been desired, from the fact 
that but few statistics are a matter of record . I am under many obligations 
to my friend. Col. T7-ozvbridge, for much valuable information concerning 
the early history of the city. I have no apologies to offer, having done 
the best I could under the circumstances I leave the book to speak lor 
itself. 

John Kennedy. 

The following is given as a list of all the streets then marked on the 
city plat. 

Streets Running East and West. — Brown, Raynolds, Church, Fairchild, 
Davenport, Bloomington, Market, Jefferson, Iowa Avenue, Washington, 
Court, Harrison, Prentiss, Des Moines, Lafayette, Benton. 

Running North and South. — Front (or River street), Madison, Capitol, 
Clinton, Dubuque, Linn, Gilbert, Van Buren, Johnson, Dodge, Lucas, 
Governor. 

CITY OFFICERS FOR 1856-57. 

On the 7th day of April, 1856, the following persons were elected to 
their respective offices, and duly sworn in: 

Mayor — John M. Carlton. 

Recorder — J. G. Sperry. 

Treasurer — J. Ricord. 

Marshal — Benj. King. 

Assessor — N. H. White. 

Aldermen, 1st Ward — S. Batchelor, C. Cartwright, Robt. Walker. 

Aldermen, 2d Ward— W. E. Miller, C. H. Berryhill, S. Windrem. 

Aldermen, 3d Ward — Henry Felkner, J. B. Rombaugh, D. A. Dewey. 

On the 3d of November, 1856, Henry Felkner resigned his seat, and 
Rush Clark was elected to fill the vacancy. 

BUSINESS houses. 

The following list was published in the directory as the principal busi- 
dess firms of Iowa City at that time, and will be read with interest by 
those of them, or their customers, who are still living, and by their 
descendants. 



642 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Aliens & Mahanna, builders, cor. of Ave. and Mad. Sts. 

Bay, J. M., dry-^oods merchant, cor. Ave. and Clinton Sts. 

Barker, L. N., jeweler, cor. Clinton and Col. Sts. 

Burrows, Prettyman & Babcock, dry-goods merchants, cor, Clinton and 

Col. Sts. 
Buck, C H., grocer, Ave., near cor. of Dub. 
Barber & Nixon, dealers in furniture, Ave. east of Clinton. 
Brainerd, N. H., & Co., grocers, Jefferson St. 
Banbury, T. M., planing mill, cor. Wash, and Front Sts. 
Clinton House, hotel, cor. Clinton and Col. Sts. 
Cook, Sargent & Downey, bankers, cor. Clin, and Wash. Sts. 
Culbertson & Reno, bankers, Wash. St. east of Clinton. 
Clark House, (hotel) Jeff. St. in Clark's Block. 
Carson & Co., stove merchants. Wash. St. in Powell's Block. 
Choate & Co., stove merchants. Wash. St. bt. Dub. and Clin. 
Clark & Bro., Attorneys, Dub. St. next door to post office. 
Coldren, S., dry goods merchant, Wash. St., Powel's Block. 
Clark, J. N., Dub. St. near Market Hall. 
Custer, J., baker, Wash. St. near Tremont House. 
Daniels, W. B., dry goods, forwarding and commission merchant. Wash. 

St. near Crummey H., and at the depot. 
Dunlap, J. W., lumber merchant, Wash. St. near Crummey H. 
Davis, M. W., druggist. No. 100 Clin. St. 
Eastman & Wescott, druggists, Clin. St. west side. 
Edmonds & Ransom, lawyers, cor. Clin, and Wash. Sts. 
Eddy, Philander, merchant, successor to O. G. Dorwin, cor. of Clin, and 

Col. Sts. 
Frazier, William, merchant, Jeff. St., in Clark's Block. 
Fisk & Elliot, commission merchants, south side of depot. 
Freeman, P. P. grocer, Wash. St. bt. Dub. and Clin. 
Gower, J. H., Bro's. & Co., bankers, cor. Wash, and Clin. Sts. 
Gray & Westfall, artists. 

Hampton, G. S., land agent, office in Powel's Block, Wash. St. 
Henderson, Wm. H. & Sons, land agents, cor. Clin, and Col. Sts. 
Ham, D., gunsmith. Dub. St. near Market Hall. 
Holmes, L. B., marble cutter, Wash. St. east of Clinton. 
Hursh, Jos. & Co., Jeff. St. in Clark's Block. 
Hartstock & Calkin, artists, in Robinson's Block, Clinton St. 
Ickes, P. & Co., merchants, Clinton St. 
Johnson, O. K., land agent, cor. Clin, and Col. Sts. 
Kimball & Co., butchers, cor. Dub. and Ave. 
Lee, Wm, book binder. Wash. St. east of Clinton. 
Lee, Smith & Co., grocers, Clin. St. 
Levy, A, clothier, Clin. St. bt. Wash, and Ave. 
Love, Gordon & Co's. plow factory, near stone steam mill. 
Marquardt & Co., jewelers, Clin. St. (at Robin's old stand). 
McBride,J. R., feed store, Clin, near cor. of Jeff. 
Miller, Wm. E., lawyer, office Robinson Block, Clinton St. 
Morris & Seymour, dealers in furniture and agents for Lillies pat. iron 

safes, Washington St., opp. Crummey House. 
Murry, Malcom, land agent and Justice of Peace, Wash. St. 
Ohmer, Geo., saloon keeper, Clin. St. opp. Baptist church. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 643 

Pettee, G. M., boot and shoe house, Wash St., w. Gower's Bank. 

Piatt, J. L., city auctioneer, Wash. St. bt. Dub. and Clin. 

Rever, A., barber, cor. Clinton and Wash. Sts. 

Startsman, O., jeweller, No. 4, Powel's Block, Wash. St. 

Smith, D., commission merchant, north side of depot. 

Shepard, E. & Co., hardware merchants, Powel's Block, Wash. St. 

Stow, Ballard & Bruff, grocers. No. 200 Clinton St. 

Snyder & Zumbro, lumber merchants, cor. Wash, and Linn. Sts. 

Sheffield & Fairall, lawyers. Wash. St. east of Clinton. 

Schottenfeles, M., grocer, No. 77, Clinton St. 

Sale, E. W., plasterer, orders left at Windrem's. 

Sperry, J. G., carpenter, Market St., west side of Clinton. 

Stilwell, A. B., merchant tailor, cor. Chnton and Avenue. 

Startsman, D. H., jeweler. Wash. St., west of Cul. & Reno's Bank. 

Smith, E. H., barber, cor. of Clinton and Jefferson Sts. 

Tuttle & Saunders, land agents, office Wash. bt. Dub. and Clin. 

Townsend & Wilde, brick makers, east of Downey's. 

Tyler, J., livery stable, on Dubuque St., north of post office. 

Templin & Scheffler, lawyers. Wash. St. 

Thompson & Co., commission merchants, at the depot. 

Tedge, C. G., oyster agent, at stage office on Avenue. 

Walter & Bro., eagle clothing store, on Washington St. 

The book was printed by A. G. Tucker & Co., corner Clinton and 
Washington streets, over Gower's Bank; contained forty-seven pages, 
and was sold at 50 cents per copy. There were 968 names given in the 
directory list. 

This Directory contained a sketch of the history of Iowa City up to 
that date, about January 1, 1857, and is probably as fair and reliable, to 
the extent that it goes, as anything within reach, hence we quote it here. 

CITY HISTORY. 

Iowa City is located on section 10, and parts of sections 9 and 15' 
township 79 north, range 6 west. 

That part south of Court street and extending to Benton street, and 
from Front street east to Gilbert street, was first entered for the purpose 
of establishing a county seat. The United States afterwards ceded to the 
Territory of Iowa all of section 10, for the purpose of establishing the 
seat of government for the Territory. 

This left the city plat in bad shape, which deficiency has however been 
supplied by the addition of E. C. Lyon, C. H. Berryhill and C. Page, and 
now brings it in the form of an oblong square. 

Johnson county was organized in 1838, and attached to the second judi- 
cial district. Population in 1838, 327; in 1840, 4,504; in 1857, 8,000. 

On the 4th day of May, 1839, Mr. Swan, the commissioner appointed 
by the legislature, selected the present site for Iowa City. Up to that 
date it lay in a state of wilderness, and was the hunting-ground of the sav- 
age. The camp-fires of Poweshiek's band of Sacs were the only lights 
that gleamed within its wild solitude. The foot of the white man never 
pressed its soil, or its forest depths echoed back the call of the herdsman. 
Enchanting was its position, possessing that purity and beauty with which 
it came from the hands of its Maker at the completion of the creation. 

On the fourth day of July following the location of the city, but one 



644 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

log cabin marked *the spot that in a few years was to become the capital 
of a State whose progress in civilization and rapidity of growth is with- 
out a parallel in the history of States. The first sale of lots was the 10th 
of August following the location, and in September of the same year the 
first store was opened by C. S. Foster. 

Although the accommodations for emigrants were limited, and they 
were compelled to endure severe hardships, sleeping in their blankets 
beneath the trees or such shelter as nature provided; yet, by the follow- 
ing June, the population had increased to TOO. For a few years from this 
time the city increased rapidly, and seemed as if destined to outstrip in 
size and business the older towns in the State. But the difficulty of pro- 
curing building material began to be felt, and seemed to place a quietus 
on its prosperity. The gold mines of California for a while seemed to 
dazzle the imaginations of emigrants, and turn from the prairies and towns 
of the west the flood of emigration that had hitherto poured into them. 
Iowa City felt its effects, and for a time her wheels of progress were 
almost still. At length the overland route to the golden country opened, 
and the tide of travel turned again to Iowa, a large portion of it passing 
through Iowa City. This gave an impetus to the trade, and infused new 
life into the lethargic spirit that hitherto hung over it. Notwithstanding 
the difficulties of commercial intercourse still existed, yet, by determina- 
tion on the part of her citizens, they were in a measure overcome. Almost 
every man who had two horses and a wagon put them on the road, and 
engaged in hauling lumber and merchandise to the city. Although this 
means of commerce was extensive, and the means of transportation num- 
erous, still they were not sufficient to meet the increasing demands of the 
community. 

The State of Iowa was admitted into the Union, and assumed its place 
in the Federal government. Iowa City was the capital, and the position 
occupied by the State, threw upon the city a new feature of dignity and 
importance, and one that was felt at home and abroad. It became a star 
in the west, a point to which emigration seemed to direct its course, and 
from which it radiated and dispersed itself to the different portions of the 
State. Other towns may have been her superior in commerce and pop- 
ulation, but in name Iowa City was the prominent point in Iowa. Her 
importance increased so rapidly from 1850 to 18,53, that it was deemed 
necessary to have railroad communication. A proposition was made to 
connect with the Chicago and Rock Island road, which met with some 
opposition, as being too fast for so young a State, and stepping beyond its 
abilities: but this predjudice finally wore away, the company to build the 
road was perfected, and the work put under contract. Fifty thousand 
dollars was subscribed by the county, fifty thousand by private subscrip- 
tion; but something seemed to be wanting; the work did not progress 
with sufficient energy and rapidity. The road was given into the hand 
of iVlr. Farnham, who agreed to finish the road for the use of it for a given 
time." The city was informed that it would be necessary to subscribe a 
large amount ot stock, in order to insure its completion. An election was 
ordered upon the question "whether the city should subscribe fifty thous- 
and dollars stock, and upon the vote being taken it was carried by a large 



*lhe writer of this History of Johnson county accompanied, as newspaper reporter, the 
first railroad train that ever carried passengers in the State of Iowa. It was an excursion 
to attend the first sale of lots at the first railroad town in the State— Wolcott station, about 
twelve miles out from Davenport. This was in September, 1855, when Mr. Farnham had 
slaked his fortune against time, in the race for Iowa City. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. • 645 

majority, and the bonds of the city to the amount of fifty thousand dollars 
were issued. 

On the first day of January, 1856, the first locomotive (the Oskaloosa) 
with construction train attached, arrived at the depot, and the arrival of 
the iron horse was hailed with joy by the numerous citizens who had 
assembled to witness its advent. On the 3d day of January the first train 
of passenger cars arrived, seven in number, with the invited guests to 
attend the celebration of the opening of the road. On the Monday fol- 
lowing the trains commenced their regular trips and have been in success- 
ful operation during the whole year, except when delayed by the incle- 
mencies of the weather. 

Since the opening ©f the M. & M. R. R. the city has increased about 
two-fold in population and in commerce. The population was then about 
3,500; it is now not short of 8,000, and perhaps more. (Remember, this 
is from the city directory published in 1857.) 

THE MINERAL SPRING. 

Newhall's "Sketches of Iowa," published in 1841, says: "At Iowa 
City, upon Ralston's creek, there are three springs within a diameter of 
about twenty feet, all possessing different properties, viz: one of chaly- 
beate, one of sulphur, and the third very cold lime-rock." This spring 
site at one time belonged to Governor Lucas, but he did nothing to 
utilize it. Afterwards a man named Bastardes undertook to establish a 
water cure resort and erected a sort of boarding house or infirmary over 
what seems now to be the chalybeate and sulphur spring run together, if 
indeed there ever were two independent springs there. The house is 
now owned and occupied by Wm. Lewis and brother. The spring is 
enclosed with a deep circular brick wall in the cellar or basement of the 
house, with a wooden trough outlet or waste pipe into Ralston creek, out 
on Iowa avenue. Occasionally people go there and drink the water, or 
carry it away in jugs or bottles, and think "it js good for what ails them.'* 
At the waste spout there is a show of red deposit peculiar to chalybeate 
waters; but this spring is not strong enough in the mineral and medicinal 
elements to hold any rank as a health resort, and hence the efforts made 
to utilize it in that way have not been successful. There are probably a 
hundred other springs in the state that are much stronger in the various 
real or supposed medicinal properties than this one. 

A BANK LOCK EPISODE. 

About January 9th, 1875, the lock of the currency vault of the Iowa 
City National Bank got out of order w^hile closed, and as all efforts of the 
bank officers and experts failed to unlock it, Mr. Clark telegraphed to 
Mr. Charles Zschuppe, of Chicago, a German mechanic, who was skilled 
in the mysteries of all the patent safe locks. Mr. Z. came and for two 
days and nights patiently turned the dial, till at last the lock yielded and 
the door opened. Had the difficulty not yielded to his skitl and patience 
the door would have had to be taken to pieces and destroyed at a heavy 
expense to the owner. 
41 



646 ' HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY 

CHAPTER XI.— PART 2. 



Iowa City's School History — Churches— Secret Orderi — Local Societies — Bands — Clubs, 

etc., etc. 

In Chapter VI, Part 2, will be found some account of the earliest eflbrts 
made in Iowa City towards establishing educational institutions, such as 
the " Mechanics' Academy," the " St. Agatha Seminary," the State Uni- 
versity, etc. The following compend of waymark points in the history of 
the city's public schools was compiled for this work by D. W. Wood, 
Esq., from the official records: 

Jtdy 14, iS^3- — The city council organized a school district of Iowa 
City, and by a committee appointed by the council put into operation the 
citv public schools. They employed two principals and two assistants. 
The principal of the male department was H. W. Laihrop, at a salary of 
$450 per annum; the principal of the female department, ij>250, and the 
two assistants, $150 each. They rented the " Academy" building, (now 
Mercy Hospital) for a term of five years, at a rental value of $250. May 
1, 1854, Samuel Spurrier was employed as principal for $400 per annum; 
a Miss' Christy at $200; Miss Cornelia Wilson at $155, and Miss Lydia 
Lanning at $150. 

yune 12^ 1S54-. — ^ committee from the council visited the public schools 
and reported a roll of forty-six scholars in Mr. Spurrier's room ; thirty- 
four in Miss Christy's room; thirty-two in Miss Wilson's department, and 
forty-three in Miss Lanning's room. 

'Jamiai-y /, 1855. — The city council levied a tax of one per cent on all 
taxable property in Iowa City for school purposes. 

February 16, 1855. — The public schools were closed by order of the 
city council and the people requested not to hold any public meetings, on 
account of the small-pox having broken out in the public schools. They 
appointed Dr. Stone for the first ward. Dr. Sanders for the second ward, 
and Dr. Morse for the third ward, to vaccinate all persons needing vac- 
cination. 

September j, 1855. — Iowa City voted on the question of issuing $20,000 
bonds to build school houses; 161 ballots cast, 115 for the loan and forty- 
six against the loan. 

August II, i8jj. — Iowa City council passed a resolution donating 
$5,000 towards erecting a building for a deaf and dumb as3'lum. 

yune 16, i8j6. — The city council authorized a school house to be built 
in each of the three wards in the city, of uniform size, and not to cost 
over $3,000 each. In 1857 three public school houses were built at a cost of 
$8,125 each. They were not all completed until 1858, and cost several 
thousand dollars more than the contract price. 

May 22, 1858. — The city council passed the following resolution: 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 647 

Resolved, That though doubts have been expressed in regard to the 
constitutionality of the school law, yet not deeming this council the proper 
tribunal to decide this question, we think it our duty to acquiesce in said 
law, aud yield the power over the public schools of the city to the board 
of school directors recently chosen by the people; and the city treasurer 
is hereby instructed to deliver the school money in his hands to the treas- 
urer of the Iowa City school directors; and the school committee of the 
city council is hereby declared dissolved. 

At the spring election of 1858 the people chose a board of school direc- 
tors, and had some trouble in getting the city council to surrender the 
control of the city schools into the hands of the school board. Some 
claim that they did not until 1859, but the record shows differently. 

Public schools of Iowa City pass under the school board May 6, 1858. 

The first record of the school board of Iowa City has the name of N. 
H. Brainard, president; P. S. Van West, vice-president, and Daniel 
Branch, secretary. 

The first thing they did was to employ J. H. Goodrich as principal of 
the third sub-district for ten weeks, beginning May 10, 1858, at a salary of 
$500 per year; and passed a resolution making forty-four weeks a school 
year, and he was in fact the first superintendent of public schools in Iowa 
City. 

Mr. F. L. Child was employed as principal of the fourth sub-district. 
The board divided the Iowa City school district mto four sub-districts. 

May 7, i8^8. — The board passed a resolution to take measures to estab- 
lish a school as soon as practicable for the colored youth of the city. 

May 7, i8h8. — A. Hart presented his bond and it was approved as 
treasurer of the school board of Iowa City. We icopy the following 
from the records of May 7th : 

Voted, that A. Hart have an order from directors drawn on city treas- 
urer for all funds, books and other documents legally coming into the pos- 
session of said A. Hart as treasurer of Iowa City school district, under 
the present school law. 

May ji, i8j8. — Jesse Bo wen appeared and took his seat as sub-director 
of district No. 2, and j. T. Turner as sub-director of district No. 4; 
and there being no one chosen for sub-director of No. 3, the vacancy was 
filled by the board appointing J. P. Wo'od. 

yune 2d Meeting. — E. C. Lee appeared and took his seat as director of 
sub-district No. 1. 

On motion: ^ 

Resolved, That the colored children be instructed to attend the schools 
of their respective sub-districts until objections be urged by the white fam- 
ilies sending to said schools; and that the secretary be instructed to inform 
such colored families of this arrangement. 

ymie 5, i8s8. — The president read a communication from common 
council through the city attorney, Rush Clark, in reference to making an 
agreed case to be submitted to the supreme court for the settlement of 
the following question, viz: First, on the constitutionality of the present 



648 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

school law. Second, on the applicability of this law to Iowa City, Third, 
the legality oi the election of this board of directors. 

yunc 12, i8jS. — The first school tax levied by the board was as follows : 

For school house funds, 2^ mills; for teachers' fund, 2 mills. Total, 4^- 
mills on the dollar, on all the taxable property of Iowa City. 

yuly J, i8^S. — They passed a resolution levying for school house fund, 
^1\ mills; for teachers funds, -ly^^. Total 4^ mills on all the taxable prop- 
erty of Iowa City. 

At this session it was ordered that the principal of the High School be 
paid $60 per month; assistants $40 per month. 

The president was authorized to confer with suitable persons to take 
charge of the High School. 

September j, 1858. — Mr. Beals, of Rock Island, was elected principal of 
the High School at $■'^0 per month, and Eliza M. Bowen assistant in the 
High School. 

Oct. 6, i8j8. — The board authorized a copy of Webster's unabridged 
dictionary to be placed in each sub-district school, and a copy of the Bible 
be placed in the hands of each teacher. 

It appears that a legally elected school board did not exist until April 
30, 1859, but at that meeting we find that G. W. Clark, secretary of the 
first school board in Iowa City, delivered up the books and papers of his 
office to the present board; and the board of April 30, 1859, went right 
along with the business of the preceding board, so we can safely say that 
the first school board in fact was the 1858 board. 

From April 9, 1862, to July 3, 1867, we can find no record of the pro- 
ceedings of the school board Iowa City. John G. Given was the secre- 
tary at the last meeting, April 9, 1862, and George S. Hampton was sec- 
retary at the July 3, 1867, meeting. At the first meeting in July, 1867, 
the board contracted for the building of the 4th ward school house. They 
employed J. M. Williams as superintendent, at a salary of $1,000 per 
year. The record of this meeting reads as follows: "The minutes of the 
preceding meeting was read, amended, and then approved; and the 
record of the preceding meeting as appears of record was April 9, 1862. 
There must be a record of the actjon of the city board for the five years 
missing, but no one that we can find seems to have any knowledge of it. 
Nearly every person that has any knowledge on the subject and the rec- 
ords reveal the tact that the Iowa City schools were not as well regulated 
as they could and should have been. 

From 1867 they appear to have been a little better regulated and more 
efficient. It is said that J. M. Williams was the first superintendent of 
the school, but the fact is, that Mr. Beals, employed as principal of the 
high school in September, 1858, was as much of a superintendent of the 
public schools as Williams. The board always exercised the control 
and superintended the school until about 1875, and until this year the 
board and the teachers did not always harmonize. If a teacher expelled a 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 649 

pupil, the board would re-instate the unruly pupil, and by so doing 
weaken the influence of the teachers. The records all along show that 
the board was continually at war with the teachers, and harmony does not 
appear until the board surrendered the discipline of the public school to 
Prof. Guthrie as superintendent, with full power to regulate and control 
the school in the fullest sense that the office implies. A very complete 
system of keeping a record of the school was introduced by Prof. 
Guthrie. 

yune 12, iSyo. — -The board, on motion of M. T. Close, passed the fol- 
lowing resolution: 

Resolved, That we believe the school can be conducted the present 
year without a superintendent. 

July 15^ i8yi. — The board employed Mrs. H. S. Lane for superinten- 
dent, at a salary of $900 a year. 

yuly ^7, 1822. — Mrs. H. S. Lane was employed for one year, salary 
$900.' 

ytily 7, i8jj. — Miss Sarah F. Loughridge was elected superintendent, 
salary $600. 

yuly 7, 1874.. — S. D. Cook was employed for superintendent. 

July I, 187^. — Prof. A. A. Guthrie, A. M., was employed as superin- 
tendent, at a salary of $1,000 for the school year. 

yiine JO, 1S76. — Prof. A. A. Guthrie was employed as superintendent 
for one year, at salary of $1,200 for the school year. 

ytme 6, 1877. — Prof. A. A. Guthrie was employed as superintendent 
for the ensuing year, at a salary of $1,200 for the school year. June 1, 
1878, contracted for three years at a salary of $1,500. 

Seft. 4, 1878. — Prof. A. A. Guthrie was elected secretary of the school 
board; and he has been been superintendent and secretary since, and has 
a contract with the board to superintend the schools to the end of the 
school year of 1884, at a salary of $1,500 per year. 

The high school has a course of study which, when completed by the 
pupils admits them to the freshman class of the State University. It is as 
follows: 

COURSE OF STUDY FOR 1882-83, IOWA CITY HIGH SCHOOL — STATE UNI- 

VERSETY PREPARATORY. 
NINTH GRADE. 

Fall Term — Classical; Latin grammar and reader; English Gram- 
mar; Physiology. 

Scientific: Physlolgy; English Grammar; Drawing. 
English: English Grammar; Arithmetic; Physiology. 

Winter Term — Classical: Latin grammar and reader; Civil Gov- 
ernment; Rhetoric. 

Scientific: Zoology; Civil Government; Rhetoric. 
English: Zoology; Rhetoric; Civil Government. 



650 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Spring Term — Classical: Latin grammar and Caesar; Algebra; 
Botany. 

Scientific: Botany; Algebra; Rhetoric. 
English: Rhetoric; Algebra; Botany. 

TENTH GRADE. 

Fall Term — Classical: Latin Caesar; Algebra; Geology. 
Scientific: Geology; Algebra; General History. 
English: General History; Algebra; Geology. 

Winter Term — Classical: Latin Caesar; Algebra; Natural Phil- 
osophy. 

Scientific: Natural Philosophy; Algebra; General History. 
English: General History; Algebra; Natural Philosophy. 

Spring Term — Classical: Latin Caesar or Cicero; Algebra; Ameri- 
can Literature. 

Scientific: Natural Philosophy; Algebra; American Literature. 
English: Amerinan Literature; Algebra; Outlines of English History. 

ELEVENTH GRADE. 

Fall Term — Classical: Latin Virgil; Geometry; Elective, German, 
Chemistry. 

Scientific: Chemistry; Geometry; Political Economy. 

English: American Literature: Book-keeping; Elective, German, 
Chemistry, Geometry, Political Economy. 

Winter Term — Classical: Latin Virgil; Geometry; Elective, Ger- 
man, Elementary Astronomy. 

Scientific: Elementary Astronomy; Geometry; English Literature. 

English: Englsh Literature; Elective, Book-keeping, Astronomy, Ger- 
man; Geometry. 

Spring Term— Classical: Latin Virgil; Physical Geography; Elec- 
tive, German, Biology, English Literature. 

Scientific: Biology; Physical Geography; English Literature. 

EngHsh: English Literature; Elective, Physical Geography, Biology, 
German. 

OflScers of the Board of Education, 1882 and 1883: M. Cavanaugh, 
president; William Fry, treasurer; A. A. Guthrie, secretary and superin- 
tendent. 

Members: Chas. Lewis, M. Cavanaugh, A. C. Younkin, A. J. Her- 
shire (appointed to fill the unexpired term of J. P. Irish, who resigned Sept. 
6, 1882), J. M. B. Letoosky, J. Walter Lee. 

TEACHERS IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

Miss Louisa E. Hughs, A. M., Principal, instructor in Latin and mathe- 
matics; Geo. B. Leslie, B. S., instructor in natural and physical science; 
Miss Jo. V. William, B. Ph., instructor in English and literature; Miss Lou 
Younkin, B. Ph., instructor in German and history. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 651 

First Ward School on Dubuque Street: Miss Ella Wilcox, principal; 
Miss C. Backensto, B room; Mrs. C. M. Sedgwick, C room; Miss Lou 
Lloyd, D. room. 

Second Ward School, on Gilbert, between Jefferson and Iowa Avenue: 
Miss Lou S. Foltz, principal; Miss Mollie Williams, 7th grade; Miss Car- 
rie Hutchinson, assistant; Miss Elizabeth Fisher, 6th grade; Miss Anna 
E. Paige, 5th grade; Miss Nellie Clearman, A room. Miss Fannie Pat- 
terson, B room; Miss Otie Plum, C room; Miss Maggie Watkins, D room; 
Miss Stella Bacon, assistant. 

Third Ward School, corner Davenport and Johnson Streets: Miss 
Ruth A. Irish, principal; Miss Lulu Sanders, B room; Miss Florence 
Hess, C room; Miss Lettie Grogan, D room; Miss Fannie Edwards, E 
room; Miss Anna Nedobyty, F room. 

Fourth Ward School, corner Dodge and Court Streets: Mrs. E. M. 
Copeland, principal; Miss T. Phelan, B room; Miss F. B. Shipman, C 
room; Miss Ida R. Sanders, D room. 

Reese School: Miss B.J. Nolan, teacher. 

The history of the public schools of Iowa City would hardly be com- 
plete without a brief sketch of the teachers employed. It is valuable for 
many reasons, the most important ones being that it gives the public an 
idea of who the individuals are that are educating the children of our 
cit}^; where they were educated, and the valuable service they have 
and are rendering to the public as teachers in the public schools. Many 
of these teachers have been identified with the public schools of Iowa City 
for many years, one teacher having taught tor eighteen years. The worst 
thing that can be said of the public schools of Iowa City is that they have 
poorly arranged school buildings, with miserable facilities for ventilation, 
and the best thing that can be said is, they have not got a poor teacher in 
the whole list of twenty-nine persons connected with the schools educating 
the youth of the city. The present board are taking measures to provide 
proper buildings with all the modern improvements for public school 
purposes. 

Miss Louisa E. Hughes, A. M., principal of the high school of Iowa City, 
Latin department. She graduated from the S. U. I. in 1878. She was 
born in Iowa City. She taught one term in Adair county, Iowa; two 
years in the grammer school of Iowa City, '74-75, '75-76; one year in 
Cedar Rapids high school, '78-79; two terms in Aledo Academy, 
Ills.; two years in Iowa City high school, '80-81, '81-82. Miss Hughes has 
done much to build up the high school and give it a reputation for 
thoroughness. She won distinction in the University for having so 
thoroughly mastered Latin and mathematics. As a teacher in both 
branches she has no superior in the state. She is painstaking, and not 
content with anything less than a complete mastery of the lessons by the 
student. All the work is kept in perfect order, and the records of the 



652 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

high school are always accurate. She excels no less as a disciplinarian 
than as a teacher. 

George L. Leslie, B. S., in charge of the scientific department of the 
Iowa City high school, was born August 23, 1858, in Sheboygan, Wiscon- 
sin, of German extraction. Graduated at the high school at Princton,Ills., 
in the fall of 1879, and entered the State University at Champaign, Ills., 
and graduated from the S. U. L, June 21, 1882. He has had five years' 
experience in teaching in the district schools of Illinois and Iowa previous 
to work in the high school in Iowa City. Mr. L. is proficient in the 
sciences. 

Miss Josephine V. Williams, B. Ph., of the English department of the Iowa 
City high school. She graduated from the S. U. I. in 1876. She taught 
five years in Iowa City — two years in the high school, and three years in 
the grammar school. She was engrossing clerk in the legislature of Iowa 
in 1882. She has had a long and successful experience in the city schools. 

Miss Lou Younkin, teacher of literature, history and German in the En- 
glish department; a native of Iowa City; degree of B. Ph. taken at the 
U. S. I. in 1880; she has devoted much time to the study of German; she 
is a very fine English and German scholar, and a good teacher. 

Miss Ellen M. Wilcox, B. D., principal of the 1st ward school. Graduate 
of the Normal Department, S. U. I., in June, 1871; she has taught seven 
years in the public schools of Iowa City, in eighth grade and 1st ward 
school; she taught three years in Sioux City public school, and one term 
in a country school; she is a fine disciplinarian, and as a teacher is thorough 
and interesting; her services are highly appreciated; she has charge of a 
difficult school, and has brought it to a fine state of discipline; she is indis- 
pensable in her position. 

Miss Claribel Bachensto, a teacher in room B, 1st ward school, graduate of 
the Iowa City high school, and has taught four years in the public schools 
of Iowa City; three years in the second ward and one year in the 1st 
ward school. 

Miss Cynthia M. Sedgwick, a teacher in room C, of the 1st ward school ; 
she was born in Iowa City and educated at Mt. Pleasant; she has taught 
one year m room B, 1st ward, and one 3'ear and a half in room C, 1st 
ward, of the pubHc schools of Iowa City. 

Miss Louise F. Lloyd, a teacher in room D, 1st ward ; she was educated at 
the S. U. I., and has taught three and one-half years in the primary 
department; she is an earnest and faithful teacher. 

Miss Louise S. Foltz, principal of the 2d ward; she was educated at 
the high school in Galena, Illinois; she has taught four years in the high- 
est grammar grade of the city school; she taught very successfully in 
the public schools of Galena, lUinois, before coming to Iowa City; she is 
a teacher of superior ability and has been very successful in all her work. 
She is a niece of Prof. T. S. Parvin. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 653 

Miss Carrie W. Hutchinson, 1st assistant in the grammar department 
of the 2d ward school, in the 7th and 8th grades; this is her first experience 
in public school work ; she graduated from the Iowa City high school in 
June, 1878, and from the S. U. I. in June, 1882. 

Miss Mollie Williams, a teacher in the grammar school, 7th grade; she 
graduated from the Iowa City high school; she has one year's experi- 
ence in the Iowa City public schools, and one year's experience in other 
schools. 

Miss Elizabeth E. Fisher, a teacher in the 2d ward school, in the 6th grade ; 
she was educated in Delphi, Indiana, and taught two years in the public 
schools of that city in the 6th grade; she has taught one year in the 
public schools in Iowa City; she is very popular with her scholars. 

Miss Annie E. Page, a teacher in the 2d ward, 5th grade; she graduated 
from the Normal department S. U. I. in 1871 ; she has had eight years' 
experience in the 2d ward, in the grammar department, six years' experi- 
ence in other schools of the State of Iowa, two of which were in the 
graded school at Vinton; she is a faithful and deserving teacher. 

Miss Nellie Clearman, a teacher in room A, 2d ward. She was born at 
Newark, Ohio, February 20, 1854. She was educated in Iowa City. She 
has taught one year in the 4th grade, and has taught a country school. 

Miss Fannie Patterson, a teacher in room B, 2d ward. She was edu- 
cated in the public schools of Iowa City. This is her second year's 
experience in the Iowa City public schools, and had some experience in 
the Sioux City school. She is a niece of L. B. Patterson of Iowa City. 

Miss Otie Plum, a teacher in room C, 2d ward, was born September 5, 
1862, in Iowa City, and was educated at the high school of Iowa City. She 
has taught two years in the 2d grade of the primary, and one year in the 
district schools of Johnson county. She has been successful in her depart- 
ment. 

Miss Stella J. Bacon, a teacher in room C, 2d ward, was born October 4, 
1860. She was educated at the Iowa City high school, and has had one 
year's experience in second grade work. 

Miss Margaret H. Watkins, a teacher in room D, 2d ward, was born April 
12, 1860; of Welsh extraction; educated in the Iowa City high school, and 
the S. U. I. She has taught four years in the Iowa City public schools. 
1st primary. She taught three months in Johnson county district school. 
She has perfect adaptation to her special work, and ranks among the 
best and most progressive primary teachers in the state. 

Miss Ruth A. Irish, a teacher in room A, 3d ward. She was educated at 
Iowa City high school, and in the S. U. I. Has taught six years in the 
Iowa City public schools, in the intermediate department, and one term of 
four months in Coralville, Johnson county, la. She is a very successful 
teacher, and makes an efficient principal. She is a neice of the Hon. John 
P. Irish. 



654 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Miss Lulu M. Sanders, a teacher in room B, 3d ward school. She was 
educated at Nashville, Tenn. She has taught four years in the Iowa City 
school, in the intermediate department, and five terms in a country school 
near Iowa City. She is a very good teacher, and devoted to her school, 
and does all in her power to interest and instruct her pupils. 

Miss Florence M. Hess, a teacher in the third grade, in the 3d ward. She 
graduated from the Iowa City high school in June, 1878, and graduated 
from S. U. L, in June, 1882. The present term is her first experience in 
teaching school. 

Miss Lettie Grogan, a teacher in room D, 3d ward school. She graduated 
from the St. Agatha Aeadem}- of Iowa City. She has taught three 
years in the Iowa City primary department, also eight terms in district 
school. 

Miss Fannie A. Edwards, a teacher in room 3, 3d ward school. She was 
educated at the Iowa City high school. She taught seven terms in Iowa 
county, and two years in the Iowa City public school in the primary 
department. She is a teacher of rare ability. She has no difficulty in 
winning the love of her pupils, and always maintaining a perfect control 
over them. She is naturally adapted to her profession ; is one of the best 
teachers in the primary department. 

Miss Annie Nedobety, a teacher in room F, 3d ward school, was educated 
at the Iowa City high school. She has taught two terms in the high 
school in the primary department, also two years in the public school in 
Solon, and one in West Branch, Iowa. 

Mrs. E. M. Copeland, a teacher in room A, 4th ward school. She has 
been principal of the 4th ward school for ten years, and three years a 
teacher in the 2d ward. She is a successful and experienced teacher, the 
4th ward school under her management has been one of the most popular 
in the city. 

Miss Tress Phelan, a teacher in room B, 4th ward. She graduated from 
the St. Agatha Seminary Iowa City. She has taught sixteen years in the 
primary department and two or three years in the country. She is a valu- 
able teacher, and has succeeded in winning the love of her pupils and the 
confidence and esteem of the patrons. 

Miss Fannie B. Shipman, a teacher in room C, 4th ward. She was edu- 
cated at the high school at West Liberty, Iowa. She has taught six years in 
the second primary department; and three years in Muscatine county* 
She is a successful teacher. 

Miss Ida R. Sanders, a teacher in room D, 4th ward school. She was 
educated at the State Normal School, Iowa City. She has taught eighteen 
years in the Iowa City schools in the primary department; also two terms in 
Lyons, Iowa. She has had longer experience in the city schools than 
any other teacher. 
. Miss B. J. Nolan, a teacher at the Reese school; a primary department. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 655 

She was educated at the St. Agatha Female Seminary, of Iowa City. 
She has taught for several years in the Reese school, and has had some 
experience in the district school of the county. She is a faithful teacher. 
There are twenty-nine teachers employed in the public school, of Iowa 
City, and a superintendent. The present school term to December 21st,^ 
1882, has enrolled the names of over fourteen hundred scholars. 

SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIES. 

Si. Agatha's Seminary. — Situated on the corner of Jefferson and Dubu- 
que streets. In April, 1860, there came from Dubuque four Sisters of 
Charity. They moved into C. Dunkel's house back of St. Mary's Church, 
and commenced a school in a bulding adjoining, now occupied by Hum- 
phreys & Moore as a butcher-shop. After a lapse of two years. Father 
Emonds bought and donated to them the present site, then known as the 
Park House. Brick building fitted up in good style and neatly arranged. 
For a time the lower story was quite sufficient for them. Gradually, how- 
ever, their school increased, so that the second and third stories were fitted 
up, and, within the last few years, they put on a fourth story for chapel 
exercise and exhibition room. They had originally but one lot, — the 
adjoining half Mr. Patterson sold to Father Emonds. .This school is 
under the charge of the Sisters of Charity of the order of the Blessed Vir- 
gin Mary, Since its organization some of their forces are employed in a 
building next to the St. Joseph Institute as a free school; and a few teach 
a number of children attached to the St. Patrick Church. This is an 
incorporated school, and called the "Sisters School," under the name of the 
Saint Agatha's French Seminary. They withdrew from the St. Mary's 
Church, and are now under the spiritual counsel of Father Smyth of the 
St. Patrick Church. 

St. Joseph's Institute.— S\X.Vid.\.ed on the north side of Jeflerson street,, 
between Clinton and Dubuque streets. The people of St. Mary's Church 
organized this school in 1865. In the present business house of O'Hanlon 
& Son it was known under the name of St. Joseph school. Even previous 
to that time it had a nucleus in the place now occupied by A. Unrath's 
grocery store and F. Messner's shop. In the latter place some of the 
prominent men of the State and city graduated under Professor Brown- 
son. St. Mary's congregatiou, seeing that the place on the avenue was 
too small and inconvenient, ordered a committee to sell the site and buy 
the present premises. It was duly organized and incorporated in 1872, 
and confers the usual academical degrees. The school buildings and 
apparatuses are estimated to be worth $30,000. 

Iowa City Commercial College — in Market hall, corner Iowa Avenue 
and Dubuque street. J. T. Craig of Indianapolis, Ind., established this 
college in September, 1866. Prof. J. Shrock had organized the Spencer- 
ian Writing Academy, in September, 1865, but consolidated Oct. 2, 1866, 
with J. T. Craig, and the firm became Craig & Shrock. Shortly after,, 



^56 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Prof. S. S. Hamill became a member of the firm. Mr. Craig retired 
April 24, 1867, and the firm was Hamill & Shrock. 

Prof. Wm. McClain bought this institution in the fall of 1867, Prof. 
Shrock continuing with the school. Prof. McClain established the Iowa 
City Academy in September, 1870, as a separate institution. Prof. F. R. 
Williams, a teacher from the Davenport Business College, was employed 
as teacher of penmanship and book-keeping in the spring of 1875, and 
became principal of the Commercial College. He was principal under 
Prof. McClain until Oct. 14, 1877, when Prof. McClain died at Des Moines. 
Prof. Williams remained in charge of the college for the estate until July 
1, 1878, when he purchased it and became sole proprietor and principal. 
Prof. J. H. Williams and Prof. J. L. Teeters were admitted as partners in 
July, 1881. 

Present Board of Instructors. — F. R. Williams, Superintendent, 
Instructor in book-keeping, business forms, correspondence, and penman- 
ship. 

J. H. Williams, Principal of advanced book-keeping and actual business 
department. 

J. L. Teeters, Manager of telegraph department, etc. 

A. S. Dennis, Instructor in plain and ornamental penmanship. 

H. D. Rowe, LL.B., Teacher of commercial law. 

J. Kane, Teacher of telegraphy. 

Eldon Moran, (of the S. U. I. School of short-hand). Principal of short- 
hand department. 

Special lectures by J. L. Pickard, LL.D., president State University; 
Milton Remley, LL. B., of the Iowa City bar; Rev. F. L. Kenyon, pastor 
Congregational Church, Iowa City; Rev. O. Clute, pastor Unitarian 
Church, Iowa City. 

Iowa City Academy. — This Academy was founded by Prof, Wm. 
McClain, in 1808; he sold it to Amos «& Herman Hiatt, Jan. 1, 1878. It 
was located in Market Hall while under the management of Prof. McClain. 
After the purchase b}' the Hiatt Bros., it was removed to its present loca- 
tion on the corner of Clinton and Jefferson streets. 

Instructors, for 1882-83.— Amos Hiatt, A.M., H. H. Hiatt, A. M., 
B. D. — Proprietors and principals of the Academy. 

Prof. E. R. Williams — Instructor in penmanship and book-keeping. 

Miss Lou Mordoff — Instructor in German. 

Miss. S. F. L«oughridge — Instructor iii Latin. 

J. C. Armentrout — Instructor in Physiology, Anatomy and Hygiene. 

Mattie S. Hiatt — Assistant in Mathematics and English. 

George S. Bremer— Instructor in Drawing. 

CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC. 

H.J. Cozine — Musical director and teacher of harmony and piano. 
Ida Mae Pryce — Principal of vocal department and dramatic singing. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 65T 

Herr Carl H. Berger — Teacher of advanced piano and pedal organ. 
Mrs. W. Clara Colwell— Teacher of piano and organ. 

LITERARY SOCIETIES. 

The Zetegathian — was founded in April, 1861. It held its first annual 
exhibition, June 17, 1863. Charles E. Borland was president, and George 
Griswold, secretary. Addresses were delivered by T. S. Wright, C. M. 
Howe, K. O. Holmes and Charles E. Borland. Thirty-seven of its regu- 
lar members were in the war; two lost their lives and two were perma- 
nently disabled in the service of their country. 

The Erodelphian—v^BiS organized October 6, 1862, with forty-four 
members — young ladies of the University in good standing. 

The Hesperian — was organized in the latter part of the year 1863. 
Like Erodelphian, it is composed of young ladies connected with the Uni- 
versity. 

Law Literary Society. — Organized in October, 1880, with J. M. Nevin 
as oresident; F. R. Willis as vice-president; Charles B. Elliott as secre- 
tary; Fremont Benjamin as treasurer; and H. H. Artz as sergeant-at- 
arms. 

The Irving Institute— wds founded January 26, 1864. It was virtually 
a re-formation of the Ciceronian, which existed at an earlier date. It is 
provided with a hall, the counterpart of that occupied by the Zetegathian, 
which, through the enterprise of its members and the contributions of its 
friends, has been handsomely fitted up and decorated, and was formally 
dedicated February 9, 1866, with appropriate ceremonies. It also fur- 
nished its quota of members for the army. 

State Historical 5oc/e/j.— Organized February 7, 1857. Regular meet- 
ings are held on the second Saturday of each month, in the rooms of the 
society. Nine curators are appointed by the Governor of the State, and 
nine are elected. The rooms are open for visitors Wednesdays and Sat- 
urdays. President, J. L. Pickard; treasurer. D. W. C. Clapp; secretary, 
H. D. Rowe; curator and librarian, S. C. Trowbridge. 

CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS. 

As nearly as could be ascertained and arranged, the different churches 
are here given in the order of time or dates of their first conception each, 
as an organized religious body. 

Methodist Episcopal Church.— The first religious service held in Iowa 
City was in the fall of 1839 by the Methodists, at the residence of P. B. 
Moore, Rev. Joseph L. Kirkpatrick officiating. He formed a "Class," 
which ultimately developed into the present church. The field of labor 
was termed the "Iowa Mission," of which Iowa City constituted one 
appointment. The church in Iowa City was fully organized in 1840, under 
the pastorate of Rev. G. G. Worthington, appointed by the Rock River 



^58 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Conference. The General Conference of 1844 established the Iowa Con- 
ference, to embrace the whole territory of Iowa, and this newly formed 
body held its first session in Iowa City, August 14, 1844. The main part 
of the church building was erected in 1842, and the wing during the year 
1862. The present membership is 320. The church is a brick edifice on 
the corner of Jefferson and Dubuque streets, with parsonage adjoining. 
Rev. Dr. Emory Miller was the pastor in 188l-'82, but at the close of his 
pastoral year he removed to Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

JSfeiv School Presbyterian Church. — This congregation was organized in 
1841, and built a stone church, the one lately occupied by the State His- 
torical Society on Burlington street. This church edifice was built by 
George Andrews, now living in Iowa City. Dr. W. W. Wood was the 
minister of the church for a few years, and was succeeded by Rev. Sam- 
uel Storrs Howe, who still lives in Iowa City, and claims to own the build- 
ing. [See sketch of Congregational Church.] 

Congregntional Church, — Situated on the corner of Jefferson and 
Clinton streets. It was built in 1868. This church has the following 
origin: The New School Presbyterian Church and society, constituted in 
1841, met July 9, 1866, and unanimously resolved, all the elders and 
trustees concurring: "That we express ourselves in favor of abandoning 
the organization of the N. S. Presbyterian Church and society, and desire 
to remain together by becoming organized into a new church under the 
Congregational form of government." The Congregational Church of Iowa 
City was organized July 16, 1866, with 51 members, 34 from the N. S. 
Presbyterian Church, and 27 mostly from the First Congregational Church 
of Iowa City. The new church was reorganized by a Congregational 
council, July 31, 1866. 

Congregationalism had a foothold in this city, as early as November 
26, 1856. A church of 17 members was organized on that date. The 
first year of its organization, 40 persons were added to its membership, 
and during the subsequent years of its existence 14 additions were made 
to its number, making a total of 71 members. Having no house of wor- 
ship, and many of the leading members having moved away, the enter- 
prise was disbanded, many of its members entering into the Presbyterian 
communion, and others retaining their letters from ihe old organization. 
That first church enjoyed the ministrations of two installed pastors and 
one stated supply. The first pastor was Rev. Thomas Morong, who was 
installed at the recognition of the church, Nov. 26, 1856, and resigned 
Jan. 7, 1859, after a pastorate of a little more than two years. The 
second pastor was Rev. J. Hutchinson, installed Dec. 20, 1859, and 
resigned June 16, 1860. The last minister of the first church was Rev. 
W. W. Allen, who commenced his labors as stated supply, Sept. 1, 1860, 
and continued to supply the pulpit some three years. He resigned Nov. 
25, 1862, when the enterprise was given up. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 659 

Rev. G. E. A. Hebard, the father and founder of this church, was 
elected pastor Nov. 1, 1866, for one year, and continued his labors until 
Feb. 7, 1869. During Mr. Hebard's pastorate, there was an accession of 
90 members, 57 by letter and 23 by profession. 

After Mr. Hebard's departure to Oskaloosa, Rev. Rufus M. Sawyer 
of Middleboro, Mass., was called and continued until the spring of 1871, 
when he resigned, and assumed the pastorate of the Congregational 
Church of Anamosa. During his pastorate 21 were added to the church, 
4 by profession and 17 by letter. 

Rev. W. E. Ijams was unanimously called to the pastorate, June 19, 
1871, and commenced his labors the following September. Mr. Ijams 
continued his pastoral labors until January, 1874. During his pastorate 
6Q were added to the membership of the church, 38 by profession and 28 
by letter. From February, 1874, until the following October, Rev. 
Lysander Dickerman, of Quincy, 111., supplied this church. 

Rev. J. W. Healy, D. D., formerly of the Tabernacle Congregational 
Church of Chicago, commenced his labors, Aug. 15, 1875. During the 
year 57 were added to this communion, 22 by profession and 35 by letter. 

The present pastor, 1882, is Rev. F. L. Kenyon; but no statistics were, 
furnished this historian in regard to the present condition of the church. 

SL Marfs Roman Catholic Church — Was organized in 1840. It is 
situated on the corner of Jefferson and Lynn streets. The original mem- 
bers were: C. Dunkel, P. P. Freeman, J. Garber, — Cotle, C. Haverstrah 
McDonald, Forwald, McGinnes, Henry Basterdes, McWilliams, Brossart, 
Gross, Mike Freeman, Gat^hey, Williams, Staatzer, Conboy, McDuffy, 
P. Smith, Phil Clark, H. Rampfer, T. Cohill and S. Hotz. This con- 
gregation received the two lots now owned by the church from the ter- 
ritorial legislature of Iowa. The Rev. Father Mazuedly, of Benton, 
Wisconsin, was the first regular visitor. July 12th, 1841, the corner-stone 
of a church was laid by Bishop Lovas, of Dubuque; the present building 
was consecrated August 15th, 1869, by Bishop Hennessy, the corner- 
stone having been laid by his order in 1867. The high altar was built in 
Cincinnati, at a cost of $3,000, and the side altar entailed an outlay of 
$2,000. Fathers Godfrey, Paget, McCormick, Hannon, Sullivan, 
Michaiel, and Emonds have succeeded one another. The present pastor 
took charge of the parish in 1858. Fourteen statutes of the Christ's 
passion were put in the church in 1882. The entire cost of the church, 
over $75,000, has been raised in Iowa Cit}^ The number of present 
members is about 250 families. The St. Mary's Roman Catholic grave- 
yard is situated in the north-east part of the city, and was established in 
1841. In January, 1883, a fine church organ was put in the church of 12 tons 
in weight, 25 feet high, width 20 feet, depth 12 feet, 42 stops, and 1,700 
pipes, built by the Moline Organ Company of Moline, Ills. It is named 
St. Cecelia, the patron saint of church music. 



660 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

First Baptist CJmrch. — On Saturday, June 28, 1844, a little band of 
Baptists met in Choate's school-house, and after the adoption of articles 
of faith, an organization was effected. The ministers present were Rev. 
John Champlin, Rev. W. Burton Carpenter, and the Rev. W. B. Morey. 
The resident membership was represented by Elder B. M. Parks, Isaiah 
M. Choate, Newton Sanders, Jehiel Parks, Julius Brown, Joseph N. Ball, 
Harrison Parks, and the following named sisters: Lucy Parks, Eliza 
Parks, Orvilla L. Parks, and Julia Ball. The next day was the Sabbath, 
and after services the first new members, F. Hardee and John Wolf, were 
baptized in the Iowa river. 

July 24, 1841, a call was extended to Rev. W. B. Morey to become the 
pastor of the church, and the call was accepted. He preached a quarter 
of the time, the services being held in the old State House. The legisla- 
ture donated a lot for the church in 1844. Rev. Dexter P. Smith, who 
had become pastor of the church in May, 1845, went east in the subse- 
quent year, to raise funds for the building of a church and $4067.89 were 
secured. A brick church building was erected in 1847 and 1848, at a 
cost of about $5,000. It was dedicated in November, 1848. Dedicatory 
sermon by the pastor. Rev. B. F. Braybrook of Davenport and Rev. Geo. 
J. Johnson of New York were present and assisted in the services. The 
names of the successive pastors were: Rev. W. B. Morey, Rev. D. P. 
Smith, Rev. A. Russell Beldon, Rev. G. D. Simmons, Rev. C. B. Smith, 
Rev. James Discon, Rev. J. T. Westover, Rev. B. F. Ashley, Rev. A. 
Kenyon, Rev. A. H. Stowell, Rev. H. A. Guild, Rev. Frank Adkins, 
Rev. E. J. Hiscock, 1875 to 1881 ; Rev. H. M. Thompson, 1881-'82. The 
number of members in 1882 is one hundred and fifty. Church located on 
Clinton street between College and Burlington streets. 

First Presbyterian Church. — It is situated on the corner of Clinton and 
Market streets. The name of Robert Hutchinson is found in the first 
board of trustees, and is yet on the roll of pew-holders. The committee 
of presbytery under whose direction the organization was accomplished, 
was composed of two ministers, Rev. L. G. Bell and Rev. Michael Hum- 
mer. Thirteen persons were enrolled as members; John McConnell was 
elected ruling elder; Diodate Holt, deacon; and Chauncey Swan, Joseph 
Schell, George P. Huey, Robert Hutchinson and Diodate Holt, trustees- 
Elder McConnell, a Virginian, served till his death in 1S04. Diodate 
Holt was the superintendent of the first Sunday School, organized in 
1843, and one of the first trustees. B. P. Moore and Robert Hutchinson 
led the praises of those early services. Chauncey Swan, one of the com- 
missioners appointed to locate the capitol, selected the site of the present 
church edifice and donated it to the society. 

Previous to 1845 services were held in various places — sometimes in 
" Berry's School House," in " Mechanics' Academy," now Mercy Hos- 
pital, in " Butler's State House," east of Sanxay's corner [the building 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 661 

» 

that was afterward the City Hotel, on Dubuque street], and in the "Coun- 
cil Chamber" of the Capitol, now the center building of the University. 
In 1844 a church building was undertaken, and in 1846, on the 7th of 
September, services were held in the basement. The building was of 
brick, 42 by 75, with portico and cupola, resembling the present Baptist 
Church. Its total cost was in the neighborhood of $5,000, and as so large a 
sum could not be raised here, they did as other churches of the early day 
did — sent Mr. Hummer to the east with a view of raising the necessary 
funds.* 

On the 16th of June, 1849, a new session was constituted, B. B. Hut- 
ton and John Brandon being elected elders; the affairs of the congrega- 
tion were put in better shape, the present constitution was adopted, and 
an efficient board of trustees was chosen — Rev. Silas Hazard, John 
Shoup,John Brandon, Thomas Hughes, Hugh D. Downey, Henry Mur- 
ray and S. H. McCrory. Mr. Hazard procured from friends in the east 
funds to complete the church. On the 24th of February, 1850, it was 
dedicated in the presence of a large congregation, Mr. Hazard preaching 
the sermon. His ministry lasted four years, during which time twenty-six 
members were added. Mr. Hazard's health becoming impaired, he 
moved to the neighborhood of Solon. On the 6th of March, 1853, 
Andrew Douglass and John Shoup became elders. After an interval of 
more than a year the ministry of Rev. John Crozier followed, commenc- 
ing May, 1853. In 1842 Mr. Crozier had united (by profession) with the 
Iowa City church, under the ministrations of Mr. Hummer, whom he 
first heard preach at the home of his childhood, in Paris, Illinois. 

After a short vacancv a unanimous call was extended to Rev. F. A. 
Shearer, of Ohio. He began his labor in January, 1854, and was form- 
ally installed by the Presbytery of Cedar on the 4th of September, 1854. 
He was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, January 1, 1812, gradu- 
ated at Jefferson College, and was licensed by the Carlisle Presbytery. 
In the summer of 1850 the church was thoroughly repaired, at an expend- 
iture of near $600. The work was completed, and on the next Sabbath 
they expegted to occupy the church. On the lot west of the church 
building stood a carpenter shop in which there was a steam engine, a 
spark from the smoke-stack caught on the cupola, and soon the church 
was in ashes. With the loss of the church, the difficulties incident to the 
erection of a new one, and the adverse times that soon set in, the pastorate 
of Mr. Shearer was brought to a close by his resignation and removal. 
Before he left the basement of the church had been put in order for ser- 
vices, and he preached his farewell sermon there on the 24th of July, 1858. 

Rev. O. O. McLean, of Huntington, Penns3dvania, was chosen pastor 
at a meeting held on the 30th of April, 1859, and about one month later 

*See the story of ''HumHiei'sBell," in Chapter VII, Part 1. 
42 



662 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

he entered on his duties without bein^- formally installed. The church 
was SO deeply involved that the loss of their property was seriously 
threatened. The pastor, with Mr. Geo. W. Clark, visited the east and 
secured $1,000, by which, with the funds raised on the ground, the church 
was finally freed from debt." Enthusiastic resolutions were passed, in 
which Father Sanxay and Mr. J. C. Culbertson were especially thanked. 
During^ Mr. McLean's ministry fourteen members were added to the 
churcii. Isaac Struble, J. M. Smith and Elihu Baker were additional 
elders to John Shoup and J. P. Wood, who had been previously elected. 
In May, 1861, the ministry of Mr. McClain was brought to a close, and 
he returned to Pennsylvania. The Rev. Osmond was called as pastor in 
October, 1862, and remained its pastor until 1880. During his stay with 
this church they completed their present edifice. Rev. G. B. Folsom, D. 
D., is the pastor in 1882. 

Trinity Episcopal Church. — This church is situated on the corner of 
College and Gilbert streets. The parish was first organized in 1847, by 
the Rev. Mr. Lauterback, rector of Trinity Church, Davenport. Rev. 
C. C. Townsend was the minister in ]85;^. The first recorded vestry 
meeting was held in the summer of 1853, when the vestry consisted of 
Stephen Maynard, senior warden; Samuel Bacon, junior warden; C. G. 
Dillon, J. H. Morehead, E. Lindsley, D. S. Warren, and James Stratford. 
In 1850 there vvere thirty-one communicants and forty Sunday school 
scholars. The congregation had been holding services in the state house; 
but, in 1855, there were received two subscriptions of ipSOO each, raised 
for the erection of a church. The corner stone of the present church 
was laid by Bishop Lee, on Thursday, April 27, 1871, and the church was 
opened for worship October 1st of the same year. The rectory was built 
in 1878. Rev. C. Compton Burnett was the rector in 1880-81 ; succeeded 
by Rev. Thomas Bell in 1882. 

English Evangelical Lutheran Church. — The Lutheran congregation 
was organized in June, 1855, by Rev. H. F, Ealy, with twenty-eight mem- 
bers. He resigned six months afterward. A vacancy of two years 
ensued. In 1857 the church was reorganized as an English congregation, 
with twenty-four members. The Rev. D. Sprecher then became pastor, 
under whose ministry a lot was purchased and the present building erected, 
a frame, on Dubuque and Market streets. Mr. Sprecher resigned in 
July, 1859. The pulpit was then vacant thirteen months, when Rev. J. 
G. Shafier took charge (August, 1860), remaining one year. In Septem- 
ber, 1861, Rev. Jesse Helsel became pastor, and labored one year. A 
vacancy of ten years then ensued. Rev. D. P. Grosscup, was commis- 
sioned as missionary in November, 1872. He served until February, 1879, 
when the pulpit was again vacant for fourteen months. In April, 1880 
Rev. J. A. M. Ziegler took charge. The congregation now number 
forty members. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 663 

The German Lutheran Zionh Churchy was organized March 1, 1S57. 
The original members were: Geo. Ruppert, Geo. Victor, Jacob Barth, 
John Mensler, Carl Wrede, Conrad Harmel, Michael Klenkert, Michael 
Hornung, Michal Protz, John, George and Leonhard Trumpp, Adam 
Michel, Daniel Lowenstein and Peter Miller. The church building 
is situated on the northeast corner of Johnson and Bloomington streets; this 
is a brick structure, and was built in 1861, and cost $1,500. It was dedicated 
by Rev. Dorcher of Iowa City, and Rev. Weineke of Rock Island, 111. 
In 1875 the steeple was erected and other improvements made. The fol- 
lowing have been its pastors: Rev. Jas. Ritter, Rev. Doercher, Rev. 
Wehrs, Rev. Vogt, Rev. J. Hoerlein, Rev. C. Ide and Rev. O. Hartman, 
the present pastor. The membership is 400. The congregation has its 
own parsonage, next house east of the church. Present trustees: Solo- 
mon Grim, John Schwarz and Albert Hemmer. Present elders, H. W. 
Boerner, Alb. Drews and G. Otte. There is a Sunday school connected 
with the church, in which the German language is used; also a German- 
English day school. Average number of scholars, thirty-five. [These 
statistics were furnished in September, 1882.] 

German Methodist Church.- — Corner of Gilbert and Jefferson streets; 
Rev. E. C. Margaret, pastor; G. W. Marquardt, superintendent of the 
Sunday school. [No statistics furnished.] 

Christian Chapel. — This congregation was organized in this city March 
28, 1863, with eighty-four members. The name of Kimball Porter heads 
the list; Samuel Lowe was the first pastor. He remained a few months, 
when his brother Joseph succeeded him, and remained about two years. 
In June, 1865, John C. Hays was called to the pastorate, and remained 
until June, 1869; Jesse H. Berry came September, 1869, and remained 
nine months; J. Madison Williams began his ministry in September, 1870; 
was a graduate of the University, and afterwards superintendent of the 
city schools; Dr. S. E. Pearse came September, 1872, and remained two 
years. The church was without a pastor until September, 1875; Rev. O. 
P. Miller is the pastor in 1882. This was the first church edifice erected 
in Iowa City, and stands on Iowa avenue, south of the city park. 

St. Patrick'' s Roman Catholic Church is situated on the corner of Court 
and Linn streets. It was organized in 1873, and held its first service in a 
frame building, Father M. V. Rice being the first priest. It is called the 
Catholic Irish Church, the St. Mary's being the German Catholic Church; 
but there are both Irish and German members of both churches. The Con- 
gregation of Irish Catholics was established as a separate church organiza- 
tion by the Right Rev. John Hennessy, of Dubuque, Iowa, at the solicitation 
of a number of the members of the St. Mary Roman Catholic Church 
of Iowa City. The present church building is a fine brick structure, built 
in 18Y7, at a cost of $18,000. It has not yet [1883J been dedicated. 
Father Rice was succeeded by the present priest. Father Patrick Smythe. 



664 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

the present membership is about 200 families, or 1,100 souls. The 
Sunday school of this church was organized at the same time of organiz- 
ing the church congregation. 

The parochial school connected with this church, is taught by the 
Sisters of Charity, of the order of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The girls 
at the St. Agatha Seminary, and the boys at the St. Patrick's Church, are 
all under the pastoral charge and supervision of Father Smythe, The 
average attendance of boys at the church school is about 60, taught by 
two sisters. At the St. Agatha Seminary, the average attendance is 
about 90 girls. This only includes the children of the school and not 
boarders at the Seminary. 

Unitarian Church. — January 20th, 1881, Prof. C. A. Eggert, Hon. John 
P. Irish and Rev. O. Clute were appointed a committee on organization. 
At adjourned meetings on January 30th, February 6th, and February 
19th, 1881, the organization was perfected by the election of officers, and 
appointment of committees, as follows: 

Minister, Rev. Oscar Clute; Trustees, M. Cavanagh, president; J. E. 
Taylor, secretary; Prof. W. C.Preston, Frank A. Fletcher, F.J. Horak, 
A. E. Garretson, L. Rundell, clerk. Prof. C. A. Eggert; John G, Given, 
treasurer. 

Committee on Benevolent Action: Horace Kimball, C. A. Eggert, 
Mrs. Lydia Kimball, Mrs. Fanny L. Fracker, O. Clute. 

Committee on the Young: (This committee is made up of the officers 
and teachers of the Sunday school.) W. J. Taft, superintendent; Miss 
Stella Bacon, secretary; Mrs. Jane Clark, Mrs. A. Olive Furbish, Mrs. 
Georgia Closson, Mrs. Geo. N. Pratt, Mrs. A.Webb, O. Clute. 

Committee on Music: Mrs. John P. Irish, Miss Jessie Andrews, Mrs. 
A. Burr. 

The trustees of the Universalist Church contributed to the new move- 
ment the use of their church property, corner of Iowa Avenue and CHnton 
streets. [No statistics furnished.] 

Methodist E-piscopal African Church of Iowa City, is a frame building 
situated on the south half of lot 18, block 1, on Governor street, west side. 
The Rev. James W. Howard is the officiating minister. The church 
property is worth about $2,000. 

SECRET ORDERS AND OTHER CIVIC SOCIETIES. 

MASONRY. 

Iowa City Lodge No. ^. — This is one of the four lodges that were 
chartered by the Grand Lodge of Missouri. 

Nov. 20, 1840, a dispensation was issued to the requisite number of 
brethren residing at Burlington to form a lodge at that place — the first 
in the then territory of Iowa- -and a charter was granted to them Oct. 20, 
1841, with the name, Des Moines Lodge, No. 41. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 665 

Feb 4, 1841, a dispensation was issued to constitute a lodge at Bloom- 
ington (now Muscatine), and a charter granted Oct. 20, 1841, naming it 
Iowa Lodge, No. 42. 

Oct. 10, 1842, a dispensation was issued to constitute a lodge at 
Dubuque, which was chartered Oct. 10, 1843, under the name of Dubuque 
Lodge, No. 62. 

On the 10th day of October, 1842, letters of dispensation were issued 
by Priestly H. McBride, Grand Master of Missouri, to form a lodge at 
Iowa City, in which were named, William Reynolds, worshipful master; 
William B. Sn3'der, senior warden; A.J. Willis, junior warden. 

A charter was granted Oct, 10, 1843, and named Iowa City Lodge, 
No. 4. 

In May of the same year a convention was held in Iowa City, to take 
the necessary steps to organize a Grand Lodge in the territory of Iowa. 

Pursuant to the arrangements made, delegates from the four chartered 
lodges met in convention at Iowa City, Jan. 2, 1844, and held a two days' 
session, during which time a constitution and by-laws were adopted, and 
grand officers elected. An adjournment was then had until Monday, 
Jan. 8th, at which time Right Worshipful Ansel Humphreys, district 
Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, acting as Grand 
Master, opened (with the assistance of the constitutional number of Mas- 
ter Masons) the Grand Lodge of Missouri, and installed the Grand Offi- 
cers-elect and constituted the Grand Lodge of Iowa in due and ancient 
form. Oliver Cock, of Burlington, was the first Grand Master; William 
Reynolds, of Iowa City, first Junior Grand Warden; Theodore S. Parvin, 
now of Iowa City, the first Grand Secretary; and S. C. Trowbridge first 
Grand Steward. The four lodges, — having deposited with the new 
Grand Lodge the charters granted to them by the Grand Lodge of Mis- 
souri, — were furnished new charters bv the Grand Lodge of Iowa, retain- 
ing their original names, and numbered from one to four, according to the 
dates of the original charters, — Iowa City Lodge, being then No. 4, the 
charter bearing date Jan. 8, 1844. According to the published report of 
that year, Iowa City Lodge had in all 28 members; but, during the year, 
several were added to their number. Among these we find the name of 
Robert Lucas, the first Governor of the territory of Iowa, who joined by 
affiliation. In 1851 the returns show only 29 members. 

At the session of the Grand Lodge, held in June, 1852, a charter was 
granted to Zion Lodge, No. 31, located at Iowa City, with George W. 
McCleary, Past Grand Master, as Worshipful Master; Ezekiel Clark, as 
Secretary; S. M. Wadley, as Tyler. These three were the only ones 
returned as members of Iowa City Lodge in 1851. 

The new lodge worked steadily, until June 24, 1880, when it was con- 
solidated with Iowa City Lodge, No. 4. The two lodges at that time 
had a total membership of 174. 



666 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Royal Arch Masonry. — March 19, 1844, a dispensation was issued by 
Joseph R. Stapleton, Deputy General Grand High Priest of the Grand 
Chapter of the United States, to form a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons 
at Iowa City. The same was organized April 25, 1844, and called Iowa 
City Royal Arch Chapter, No. 2. At the triennial convocation of the 
General Grand Chaptea held at New Haven, Conn., in September fol- 
lowing, a charter was granted, under the authority of which this chapter 
worked until June 8, 1854, when delegates from the three chartered chap- 
ters of the State and one under dispensation met at Fairfield, and formed 
the Grand chapter of Iowa. Although chapters had been organized for 
over ten years before the Grand Chapter was formed, yet from the records 
we are led to believe there could not have been over one hundred regu- 
larl}^ affiliated Royal Arch Masons in the State; while, at the present 
date, there are 91 chapters, with a membership of 4,796. Iowa City 
Chapter has 94 members, and her register shows that over 250 have been 
members since the chapter was organized in 1844. From the members 
of Iowa City Chapter five Grand High Priests have been selected as fol- 
lows: T. S. Parvin, now a member, but at the time of his election, in 
1854, a member of Washington Chapter, Muscatine; James R. Hartsock, 
Kimball Porter, L. S. Swaflbrd, and Z. C. Luse. 

Templarism. — On December 1st, 1856, a Commandery of Knights 
Templar was organized by Sir Knight William Leffingwell, under a 
charter from the Grand Encampment of the United States,— named 
Palestine Commandery, No. 2, — with Sir Knight Kimball Porter as the 
first Eminent Commander. 

A convention was held in Des Moines, June 6, 1864, under the sanction 
of a warrant issued October 20, 1863, by B. B. French, Grand Master of 
Knights Templar of the United States, to J. R. Hartsock, of Palestine 
Commander}-, No. 2, as his deputy, authorizing the commanderies of 
Iowa to form a Grand Commandery. This was consummated, and the 
Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of the State of Iowa, duly formed 
and constituted, with Sir Knight T. S. Parvin, of DeMolay Commandery 
No. 1, of Muscatine, but residing at Iowa City, as first Right Eminent 
Grand Commander. At that date there were only three chartered com- 
manderies in the State and one under dispensation, with a total member- 
ship of about 130. In October, 1880, there were in Iowa thirty-seven 
chartered commanderies, with a membership of nearly two thousand. 
Palestine Commandery, No. 2, has now a membership of eighty. Iowa 
City Sir Knights have been eminently favored. T. S. Parvin, now a 
member of Palestine, J. R. Hartsock and George B. Van Saun are Past 
Grand Commanders; Sir Knight Van Saun, the present Grand Master of 
Masons in Iowa, was knighted in Palestine Commandery, and demitted 
therefrom Nov. 3, 1865; Reuben Mickle, Past Grand Master, also knighted 
in Palestine Commandery; Z. C. Luse, Past Grand Master, has been 



1l 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 667 

Deputy Grand Commander, and was Grand Treasurer four successive 
terms. 

ODD FELLOWSHIP. 

The Odd Fellow's buildinjj is on the corner of Dubuque and College 
streets. The entire third story, covered by a graceful mansard roof, is 
intended for the lodge hall. The building was completed Ja-nuary 1st, 
1882, at a cost of $14,000. 

Koscmska Lodge, No. 6, I. O. O. F., was instituted by John G. Potts, 
Dist. Dep. Grand Sire, and P. G. Davis of Dubuque, Sept. 14, 1846, 
and held its first meeting Oct. 10, 1846. Date of charter, Oct. 27, 1852. 
The charter members and first officers were: S. M. Ballard, N. G.; A. 
H. Palmer, V. G.; Wm. Patterson, Sec'y; M. L. Morris, Treas.; J. R. 
Hartsock, G. W. McCleary, Thomas Hughes and E. Lindsey. The 
present officers are: John Kubek, N. G. ; M. Plerka, V. G. ; Geo W. 
Kettlewell, Rec. Sec'y W. A. Kettlewell, Per. Sec'y; W. E. C. Foster, 
Treas. The present membership is sixty-seven. This was the first 
Lodge of Odd Fellows established in Iowa City; and George Paul and 
Thomas Snyder were initiated at its first meeting. 

Good Samaritan Encam-ptneut, No. 5. — Was instituted by D. D. G. 
Sire, John G. Potts, of Illinois. Organized August 21, 1848. The date 
of charter is June 26, 1848. The charter members and first officers were: 
Rev. Wm. Patterson, C. P.; H. W. Lathrop, H. P.; Thos. M. Banbury, 
S. W.; Thos. Snyder, scribe ; Samuel Magill, treasurer; A. J.Lucas, J. W.; 
G. D. Palmer, guide; Geo. Paul, first W.; Elsey Lindsey, sentinel. The 
present officers are: J. K. Corlett, C. P.; A. C. Cowperthwait, H. P.; F. 
Zimerli, S. W.; Solomon Coldren, treasurer; J. Norwood Clark, scribe; J. 
J. Dietz, J. W.; H. Roadarmer, guide; J. Dondore, first W.; A. Isense 
second W.; F. J. Epeneter, third W.; Thos. N. Cox, fourth W.; J. N. 
Seydel and I. G. Given, guards of the tent; H. Sporlader, I. sentinal. The 
present membership is 50. Of the charter members Thos. M. Banbury 
is the only one now in membership. Patterson, Snyder and Lindsey are 
dead. 

Eureka Eodo^c, IVo. ^^. — Was instituted by H. W. Lathrop, P. G., as 
special D. D. G. M. The charter dates February 18, 1853. This lodge 
was organized March 7, 1853. Its charter members and first officers 
were: Wm. Patterson, P. G.; G. W. McCleary, N. G.; R. S. Finkbine, 
P. G.; Ezekiel Clark, P. G.; C. F. Lovelace, V. G.; R. M. Bixby, secre- 
tary; H. W. Love, treasurer; John Clark, A. W. Pratt, John M. Seydel, 
E. W. Lucas. The present officers are: W. F. Rabenau, noble grand; 
J. E. Switzer, vice grand; H. Rhoadarmer, permanent secretary; E. E. 
Brainerd, recording secretary; J. Norwood Clark, treasurer. The pres- 
ent membership is one hundred and twelve. Of the charter members 
Wm Patterson, G. W. McCleary and John Clark are dead. R. S. Fink- 
bine, E. Clark, C. F. Lovelace and J. M. Seydel are still members. The 



668 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

hall is a fine brick structure located on the corner of Dubuque and Col- 
lege streets, and was built in 1881-82. The first floor is occupied by two 
stores; the second by offices, and the third by the hall. 

Teiitonia Lodge, No. I2g. — This is the German lodge, and was organ- 
ized January 14,1866, Present membership, 60 — 12 of whom were char- 
ter members. Principal officers in 1881-82: J. J. Dietz, noble grand; 
Adam Schneider, vice grand; August Isense, treasurer; H. F. Bonorden, 
secretary; M. Levy, permanent secretary. 

ANCIENT ORDER UNITED WORKMEN. 

Athens Lodge, No. ^ — Was instituted by W. W. Walker, and was organ- 
ized Oct. 11, 1873. The charter members were: H. N. Berry, George 
Berry, J. P. Clark, Samuel Welch, O. K. Rodgers, Thos. Morrison, John 
James, J. G. Sechorn, F. V. Moffitt, John Coldren, and E. G. Fracker. 
The first officers were: M. W., Samuel Welch; G. F., Geo. Berry; P., 
M. W., H. N. Berry; O., John James; G., A. K. Rodgers; financial sec- 
retary, Thomas Morrison; recording secretary, E. G. Fracker; recorder, 
J. G. Seehorn; O. W., J. P. Clark. The present officers are: M. W., 
J. B. Berryhill; G. F., Wm. Yavorskey; O., E. W. Hollman; recorder, 

F. E. Backinsto; financial secretary;-, L. A. Allen; recorder, J. N, Col- 
dren; I. W., F. V. Moffitt; O. W., Jas. Herring. A brick hall is occu- 
pied by the lodge. The present number of members is ninety-two. 

lotva City Lodge, No. /jj— Was organized March 21, 1878, with forty 
members. Present membership ninety-one. The meetings are held in 
A. O. U. W. Hall, Opera block, on the first and third Wednesdays of 
each month. The officers are: Master Workman, E. E. Brainerd; fore- 
man, A.J. Hertz; Overseer, D.A.Jones; recorder, Emil Boerner; finan- 
cier, George W. Ball; recerder, William A. Fry; inside watchman, Chas. 
S. Welsh; outside watchman, Thomas Thompson; guide, J. W. S. 
Horne. 

German- American Lodge, No. /(S'/.— Organized April 15, 1879. Pres- 
ent membership, thirty-nine. Meetings held in the A. O. U. W. Hall. 
Present officers: Master workman, Jacob Kramer; recorder, H. F. 
Bonorden; financier. Dr. F, Mueller. 

IOWA LEGION OF HONOR. 

Iowa City Lodge, No. i8 — Was organized May 28, 1879, by Frank Lis- 
tenuvalter. The charter members were: J. W. Porter, M. W. Davis, E. 

G. Fracker, L. A. Allen, J. N. Coldren, S. N. Fellows, E. F. Clapp, T. 
W. Townsend, J. H. Coover, J. C. Shrader, Geo. J. Boal, M. R. Lewis, 
W. A. Morrison, J. C. Armentrout, H. P. Button, O. T. Gillette, J. W. 
S. Home, A. E. Swisher, G. W. Koontz, L. Swisher, J. E. Switzer, J. F. 
Houser, S. S. Lytle, C. .M. Hobby, L. B. Johnson, J. Springer, W. F. 
Rodgers, R. H. Allen, Wm. A. Fry, J. W. Cone, J. T. Rhodes, Wm. 
H. Hubbard, G. B. Lumbard, D. E. Coover, N. R. Parvin, John James, 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 669 

L. James, and J. Gould. The names of the first officers v.'ere: J. W. 
Porter, president; M. W. Davis, V. P.; E. G. Fracker, recording secre- 
tary; L. A. Allen, financial secretary; J. N. Coldren, treasurer; S. N. 
Fellows, chaplain; E. F. Clapp, usher; T. W. Townsend, door-keeper; 
J. N. Coover, sentinel, and Geo. J. Boal, A. W. Prat and J. C. Schrader^ 
trustees. The names of the present officers are: J. W. Cone, president; 
T. H. Cole, V. P.; Thos. Whittaker, usher; E. G. Fracker, recording 
secretary; L. A. Allen, financial secretary; J. N. Coldren, treasurer; F. 
J. Haas, chaplain; D. E. Coover, door-keeper and sentinel. The present 
membership is eighty-five. Since this lodge was organized three mem- 
bers have been lost, two by disease and one killed by railroad accident. 

Canopy Lodge, No. ^2. — Organized September 18, 1879. Present mem- 
ship, forty-four. Meetings are held second and fourth Wednesdays of 
each month, in Daniel Corlett's hall, Washington street. The principal 
officers are: President, A. K. Rodgers; secretary, J. K. Beranek; finan- 
cial secretary, Jared Ham; treasurer, E. O. Swain. 

AMERICAN LEGION OF HONOR. 

Washington Cojcncil, No. yjy. — Organized September 26, 1881. Pres- 
ent membership, forty-one. Meets second and fourth Tuesdays of each 
month, in Daniel Corlett's hall. Principal officers: Commander, Dr. S. S. 
Lvtle; secretary, M.J. Lumbard. 

Royal Arcanum. — Organized March 8, 1881, with twenty members. 
Meetings are held in Odd Fellows new building, on the second and fourth 
Mondays of each month. Following are the names of principal officers: 
Regent, Milton Remley ; vice-regent, Dr. C. M. Hobby; secretary, J. Wal- 
ter Lee; treasurer, A. E. Swisher. 

V. A. S. FRATERNITY. 

Iowa Collegium, No. j^ — Was instituted by D. Malthie, and chartered 
March 31, 1880. The charter members were: O.J. Horner, C. P. Bacon, 
C. F. Lovelace, J. H. Hill, Frank Tanner, J. R. Oug,J.N. Seydel, David 
Bortz, E. G. Fracker, H. P. Button, S. N. Neil, Frank Fletcher, L. Wil- 
son, W. Hughes, T. J. Knott, J. W. Durham, H. H. Dimick, C. M. Lodge, 
Geo. Kenyon, Jared Ham, A. E. Rockey, Jos. Kosa, L. A. Allen. The 
first officers were : R., H. P. Button ; V. R., J. W. Durham ; S., L. A. Allen ; 
D.,E. G. Fracker; U., C. M. Lodge; S.,J. Ham. The present officers are: 
R., E. Hart; V. R., J. Ham; S., L. A. Allen; D., A. D. Mordoft'; U., J. R. 
Oug; S., Frank Fulloss. Their meetings are held every Monday night, 
in the A. O. U. W. Hall. 

UNITED ORDER OF HONOR. 

Hazukeye Lodge, No. i — Was instituted January 23, 1882, by J. A. L. 
Tice. The charter members were: J. F. Houser, J. A. L. Tice, S. S. Lytle, 
H. S. Kneedler, D. A. Jones, J. S. Beatty, C. S. Springer, J. Frudenfield, 
F. W. Tillotson, C. A. Cook, A. D. King, T. H. Madison, S. V. Bell, G. B. 



670 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Swaftbrd, M. A. Seydell, F. E. Fulloss, G. P. Hess, F. A. Heinsius, G. H. 
Vanpatten, jj. C. Stouffer, S. W. Bell, F. Grandrath, F. Backinsto, L. A. 
Allen. The first officers were: P., J. A. L. Tice; V. P., G. P. Swafford; 
I, C. Faust; C, F. Feiseler; Recorder, F. M. Tillotson; Fin. Sec, 1^. A. 
Allen; Treas., F. Fulloss; I. W., F. Heinsius; O. W., T. H. Madison. The 
present officers are: P., J. M.Scott; V. P., G. B. Swafford; C, F. M. Feise- 
ler; I., Mart. Seydell; Recorder, F. M. Tillotson; Fin. Sec, L. A. Allen; 
Treas., F. Fulloss; I. W., F. Heinsius; O. W., T. H. Madison. The pres- 
ent number of members is forty-five. A brick hall is used by this lodge 
which was built by the Ancient Order of United Workmen. There is 
one Grand Lodge officer, J. A. L. Tice. They hold their meetings every 
second and fourth Tuesday of each month. 

GERMAN SOCIETIES. 

Relief Association — Organized December 4,"1859. Present membership, 
88, 16 of whom are charter members; deaths since organization, 17; capi- 
tal on hand for charitable purposes, over $5,000. Present officers: Presi- 
dent, S. Engelbrect; vice-president, Jacob Hotz; treasurer, A. Baschnagle; 
secretary, H. F. Bonorden; collector, William Dunkei. 

Maefinerchor — Organized in August, 1878; present membership, 40; 
meet in Baker Hall, Wednesday and Sunday of each week. The pres- 
ent officers are: President, Louis Sandte; secretary. Dr. G. Mueller; treas- 
urea, Gustav Strub; teacher, C. H. Berger. 

BOHEMIAN SOCIETIES. 

Ochotnik Lilei'ary Society numbers 30 members. Its meetings are held 
the last Sunday of each month, in Baker's Hall. Principal officers: Presi- 
dent, J. K. Beranek; recording secretary, W.J. Calta; financial secretary, 
1 M. B. Letovsky ; treasurer, J. B. Letovsky. 

Slovanska Lifsa. — Organized in 1859, with 11 members; present mem- 
bership, 42. Meetings are held the first Sunday of each month, in Baker's 
Hall. The principal officers now are: President, John K. Beranek; 
recording secretary, Joseph Slavata; treasurer, V. Faiauf. 

Zastit. — Organized in 1870; present membership, 40. Meetings are 
held on the second Sunday of each month, in Grizzel's Hall. Principal 
officers now: President, G, Nedobity; secretary, A. Spevanchek; treas- 
user, V. Grissel. 

Chcska Podporujici Obec Society was organizhd in 1881. It numbers 
42 members, and the meetings are held the first Sunday of each month, 
in Baker's Hall; principal officers: President, J. Cech; Secretar}'^, John 
Schultze. 

ROMAN CATHOLIC MUTUAL PROTECTIVE SOCIETY. 

Iowa City Branch, No. j. — Organized November 21, 1879, with 31 
members; present membership, 68; meet at St. Joseph Institute, second 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 671 

Sunday of each month. Present officers: President, Joseph Schultze; 
secretary and treasurer, James W. Calta. 

ST. Joseph's society. 
Organized July 20, 1873; present membership, 11. Meet at Gustav 
Strub's grocery, the last Sunday of each month; Present officers: Presi~ 
dent, John Sueppel; secretary, Henry Luehrmann; treasurer, Gustav 

Strub. 

young men's association. 

On June 24, 1864, a Young Men's Association was organized, for 
refined social intercourse and the advancement of general information, to 
maintain a social hall, reading room, etc. Male persons over sixteen 
years of age may become members of this association, after having been 
proposed and elected at any regular meeting, by signing the constitution 
and by-laws and paying three dollars into the treasury. 

The officers elected at the organization were as follows: 

President, J. D. Bowersock; vice-presidents, R. N. Kemp, J. A. 
Smith; secretary, J. E. Parker; treasurer, G. L. Taylor; librarian, A. 
Shipley. 

In 1867 there was a G. A. R. organized [Grand Army of the Republic] 
in Iowa City. No particulars furnished. 

For some years there was a Young Men's Christian Association in 
Iowa City. In March, 1867, the officers elected were: President, T. S. 
Bailey; vice-president, S. S. Howell; recording secretary, J. W. Lee; 
corresponding secretary, J. P. Sanxay; treasurer, R. H. AUin; Hbra- 
rian, G. W. Smith. 

BANDS. 

The first mention or hint that Iowa City had a band occurs in connec- 
tion with a notice of a Washingtonian temperance meeting which was 
held on June 1, 1842, where it is simply stated that " the Iowa City Band 
furnished music for the occasion." We obtained no fiirther particulars 
or history of this first band that went a-rub-a-dub-dubbing through the 
streets of half-hatched Iowa City, before she got the shell oft'. 

Our next memoranda on the band question gives the "Social Brass 
Band," organized in 1877. In 1879 the name was changed to "Light 
Guard Band." July 4th, 1881, it disbanded. It averaged fourteen instru- 
ments. Its first leader was George Southwell, a little over a year. The 
next was F. Hammersmith, about seven months. The next, John Litzen- 
burger, one year. 

The Metropolitan Band, as it is now called, was first organized 
January 1st, 1879, as a juvenile band, the members being all boys from 
14 to 19 years of age, with Albert Strub as leader. It then had twelve 
members. On June 1st, 1882, it took the name of Metropolitan Band, 
and now consists of the following members: 

Albert Strub, leader, solo B; John Cerny, E flat cornet; S. B. Letov- 



C72 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

sky, solo B; M. B. Letovsky, first B; Joseph Gressel, "second B; Charles 
O'Hanlon, solo alto; Joseph Klema, first alto; James Krotz, second alto; 
Frank Hotz, first tenor; Ed. Reiss, second tenor; Joseph Reizenstein, bar- 
itone; Wm. Talbot, B bass; John Miller, E flat bass tuba; Richard Pres- 
ton, snare drum; John Rabenaw, bass drum and cymbals. 
They meet for practice on Monday and Thursday nights. 

UNION BAND. 

The Iowa City Union Band was organized March 1, 1881, under the 
leadership of Anthony Spevachek. It is a brass band, an orchestra, and 
a string band — anything to suit the occasion — has eight members, all of 
whom are of Bohemian nationahty. One of its members, John Frid- 
rick, served eight years as a musician in the army of Austria, and another 
member, John Shalla, was a drummer boy in company D, 22d Iowa 
infantry, during the war of the rebellion. The following is the roster of 

the band: 

Brass-band. Orchestra. 

Anthony Spevachek Solo B cornet. Clarionet. 

John Fridrick Clarionet. Clarionet. 

Frank Benda E flat cornet. 1st horn. 

Frank Shelbickey Baritone. 2d violin. 

Frank Spevachek Solo horn. Clarionet. 

John Shalla 2d horn. Snare drum. 

Joseph Hervert Double bass. Tuba. 

John Gendle < • • Bass drum and cymbals. 

ORCHESTRA BAND. 

Pisha's orchestra was organized in March, 1881, with five men, and 
Reizenstein and Barta joined it May 1, 1882, making now seven members 
five of whom are solo players. They play at sight any orchestra music 
that has ever been published. The parts represented are: J. P. Pisha, 
leader, 1st violin ; John Cerny, 2d violin; Joseph Reizenstein, clarionet; 
Joseph Cerny, cornet; Ed. Reiss, double bass and tuba; S. B. Letovsky, 
alto and cornet; Albert Strub, cornet and clarionet. 

BOAT CLUBS. 

The great dam at Coralville has a vertical height of thirteen feet from 
the river bottom, and it backs water a distance of about seven miles. 
This makes a fine body of still water for boating and fishing purposes. 
Also, from the peculiar manner in which the river meanders around, it 
happens tliat an old crossing place known as Butler's landing or Butler's 
ferry, nearly due north of Iowa City, is only about the same distance 
from the city that Coralville is, and yet is about two and a half miles up 
stream from the dam. At this landing the Riverside Boat Club has built 
a stone wharfage or breakwater, and erected a club house and boat house, 
and enclosed its own private grounds, for the use of the members and 
their families and invited guests. And here they go for holiday pastime, 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 673 

or for relaxation from business cares during the hot season. Bring their 
tents and camp out a few days or weeks as the case may be, and enjoy 
themselves with the quiet recreations of boating, fishing, geologizing, and 
such social pastimes as may agreeably vary the monotony. 

The Riverside Boat Club was organized in 1866, and its boat house was 
the first one built. It now has seven members, to-wit: James Lee, C. T. 
Ransom, Peter A Dey, John P. Irish, C. P. Bacon, S. J. Hess and M. W. 
Davies, Messrs. Lee and Davies were among the originators and first 
members of the club. They now have a navy of five boats. In July, 
1881, their boat house was washed away by the highest flood that had 
occurred in the Iowa river since 1851. 

Another aquatic organization called the Crescent Boat Club v/as formed 
some years later, and was abandoned in 1881. Its members were G. W. 
Marquart, C. A. McChesney, A. J. Hirshire, Geo. W. Koontz, Samuel 
Pryce. They had their boat house, navy yard and landing about half a 
mile further up the river at a place popularly known as Pic-Nic Hollow. 
The landing and harbor there is now (1882) used by Capt. J. P. Dostal as 
a wharf for his pleasure-excursion steamboat, " Enterprise," which still 
persists in proving through five or six months of the year that the Iowa 
river is navigated by steam. [See chapter on " First Steamboat Arrivals 
at Iowa City."] 

Note. — ^Since the above was written, Dostal's steamer and boat house 
were burned, Wednesday, September 13, 1882. Insurance, $1,600, in 
Cox & Kirkwood's agency. 

THE lOWA CITY BANK. 

Was organized Dec. 2, 1875, with Hon. E. Clark, president, Thos. 
Hill, vice president, and John Coldren cashier. Its increasing business 
required a larger and more extended organization, consequently a new 
organization was formed, and the new corporation was named the Iowa 
City National Bank, with the following named persons as officers and 
directors: Hon. S. J. Kirkwood, president; Hon. Ezekiel Clark, vice- 
president; John Coldren, cashier; board of directors, E. Clark, S. J. Kirk- 
wook, Thos. Hill, John N. Coldren, Theodore Sanaxay, George Lewis, 
John W. Porter, T. J. Cox and Thomas B. Wales, Jr. It starts with a 
capital stock of $100,000, which may be increased at will to $1,000,000. 
This new corporation embraces a few of the most substantial and promi- 
nent men of Iowa City. They are among the solid financial men of John- 
son county, with good financial records, and possessing the confidence of 
the people. 

THE CITIZENS SAVINGS AND TRUST COMPANY. 

To Whom it mny Concern: — Notice is hereby given that the undersigned have associated 
themselves, and all others who may hereafter join them, into a body corporate, to be known 
as the Citizens Savings and Trust Company of Iowa City, for the purpose of receiving on 
deposit the savings and funds of others and making loans on real estate and other securi- 
ties, and the purchase and sale of such loans, and for the purchase and sale and making 



€74 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

loans upon commercial paper, notes, bills of exchange, drafts, or any other persooal or 
public security; and to do such other business as a savings bank is authorized to transact 
by the laws of the State of Iowa; also to accept and execute any and all trusts which may 
be committed to said corporation by any court, corporation, partnership, or individual ; ail 
as more full}' shown by the articles of incorporation 

The amount of the capital stock of said company is twenty-five thousand dollars; its 
duration fifty years, commencing January 4, I860 ; its principal place of business, Iowa 
City, in the county of Johnson, State of Iowa. The private property of stockholders shall 
be exempt from corporate debts. 

Said capital stock is to be paid in full, January 2, 1883. 

The highest amount of indebtedness of said corporation, or to which it may sub.iect itself, 
exclusive of its liability for deposits, shall not exceed two-thirds of its capital stock. 

The corporate business of said association shall be managed by a board of five trustees, 
and for the first year the following named persons shall be such trustees, viz- Ezekiel 
Clark, Chas. T. Ransom, Mosses Bloom, Louis H. Jackson and W. A. Purdy. Thereafter 
said trustees are to be elected on the second Monday of January of each year. 

Ezekiel Clark, 
Chas. T. Ransom, 
Moses Bloom, 
Louis H. Jackson, 
W. A. Purdy, 

aud others. 

The above financial institutions adds another solid and important bank- 
ing institution to the financial circles of Iowa Cit}'. The list of names 
attached are a suficient guarantee of of the financial success it will achieve 
in due time. 

THE CITY BREWERY. 

This brewery, owned and operated by John J. Englest and Frank Rit- 
tenmyer, is situated on the south side of Market street, between Linn and 
Gilbert streets. The main building is stone and brick, two stories high, 
with a cellar under the entire building 70x80 feet. The three bar rooms 
are in a frame building two stories high, and in these rooms the favorite 
beverage is dispensed to their patrons by the genial George Englest and 
assisted by the proprietors when they are present. They have an ice 
house of 200,000 lbs. capacity. The capacity of the brewery is twenty- 
five barrels per day. 

It was the first brewery in the city and was built and operated by Louis 
Englest in 1853. He used first a brass kettle and brewed from six to ten 
barrels per day. He sold the brewery in September, 1877, to his son J. J. 
Englest, and son-in-law, Frank Rittenmyer, and they have operated it suc- 
cessfully since then. Philip Englest wis foreman of the brewery for 
many years until he died in April, 1880. Thispropertv was worth $25,- 
000 before the passage of the Prohibitory Constitutional Amendment, and 
is now worth $10,000 for the building and machinery, and fixtures are 
worth $3,000. They employ eight to twelve hands, and are now doing a 
good business. 

IOWA CITY PACKING COMPANY. 

Was duly incorporated in August, 1880, commenced packing in June, 
1881. The first officers were Hon. E. Clark, president; Lyman Parson, 
vice-president; A. C. Yumkin, secretary; Lovel Swisher, treasurer. 
Directors, E. Clark, Lyman Parson, Ed. Tudor, T. J. Cox, S. J. Hess, S. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 675 

J. Kirkwood, Geo. Powell, Wm. Block. Thos. Hill was elected to fill the 
place of S. J. Kirkwood, who never served. 

The present officers are: Lyman Parson, president; A. C. Yumkin, 
secretary; Lovell Swisher, treasurer. Directors, L. Parson, A. C. Yum- 
kin, J. C. Cochrane, Prof. A. N. Currier, J. W. Porter, Thos. Hill, M. 
Cavanaugh, Ed. Tudor, C. W. Landsberg, B. F. Brown, and Lovel 
Swisher. Paid up capital stock, $80,000. Authorized capital, $250,000. 
Charter amended in Sept., 1881, makmg eleven persons necessary for a 
board of directors, instead of nine. They have forty stockholders, all 
resident capitalists. 

The business from June 1, 1881, to Aug. 15, 1882, paid a dividend of 
twenty-seven per cent. They began operations Nov. 1, 1882, having 
suspended for want of hogs tor a few months. They are slaughting about 
five hundred per day. 

MURPHY BROS. 

This firm are engaged in the livery business on Washington street, and 
successor to Daniel. Corlett. William Murphy, the senior member of this 
firm, was born January 26, 1855 in Penn township, Johnson county, Iowa. 
He married Sarah Maher of Iowa City in May, 1881. Arthur Charles, 
the junior member of this firm, was born Jan. 15, 1857, in Penn township. 
They engaged in the livery business in April, 1881. They are young men 
of energy and tact and always ready and willing to supply their customers 
with first class turnouts. They have good horses and plenty of them, and 
a large variety of vehicles to select from. 

THE WALTER TERRILL MH.L. 

The dam connected with this mill w^as authorized by a special act of 
the legislature of the territory of Iowa in 1840. The following is a true 
copy of the act: 

An Act authorizing Walter Terrill to build a Mill-dam acrost the Iowa 
River near Iowa City. 

Section 1. Be it enacted by the Council and House of Representatives 
of the Territory of lozua : That Walter Terrill is hereby authorized to 
construct a dam acrost the Iowa river in Johnson county at a point on the 
southwest quarter of section No. 3, in township No. 79 north, and range 
No. 6 west, which dam shall not exceed five feet above the ordinary 
low- water mark; and provided, said dam be completed within the term 
of three years from the passage of this act. 

Sec. 2. Any person who n^ay injure or destroy said dam shall be 
deemed to have committed a trespass, and shall be liable accordingly, and 
any person who shall wilfully or maliciously destroy or injure said dam 
shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction, shall be fined and 
imprisoned at the discretion of the court. 

Sec. 8. Nothing herein contained shall authorize the individual named 
in this act, his heirs or assigns, to enter upon and flow the lands or mill- 
wheels of any person without the consent of such person, and he shall 
remove all such nuisances as may be occasioned by the erection of said 
•dam, which may endanger the health of the vicinity of said dam. 



676 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Sec. 4. The legislature of this territory reserves the right to alter or 
amend this act so as to provide for the navigation of said river by lock or 
otherwise. 

Approved December 15, 1840. 

Mr. Terrill built a fine mill-dam and erected a fine mill, and had every- 
thing in running order in 1843, within the time fixed by the above act. It 
is a fine mill and splendid water privilege. It is equipped with all the 
modern improvements of mill machinery. It was sold by Mr. T. to one 
Jacob Sam, and by him to Deitz & Hemmer, and all parties did a good 
business until July, 1881, the high waters washed a channel around the 
west end of the dam, and mill operations ceased, and financial failure 
caused the mill to be sold, and it was bought in by Miss Mary Terrill and 
her mother. It is a frame building, three stories high. The main build- 
ing is 22x40; other buildings have been added. It contains three run of 
four-feet burrs and three run of three-and-one-half-feet burrs. It is won- 
derful what a change takes place in the value of mill property by slight 
changes in the water privileges. Before the flood in February, 1881, the 
mill property and mill privilege were valued at $32,000, and the owners 
asked that price. After the flood and washout it was bid off" under a 
foreclosure of a mortgage at $4,000. The mill is in good rnnning order. 
New bolts and a grinding capacity of 300 bushels in twenty-four hours. 
Owing to some slight misunderstanding among parties interested, the 
washout has never been repaired. 



CHAPTER XL— PART 3. 



THE CITY'S CIVIL ADMINISTRATION, FINANCES, MANUFACTORIES, ETC 
OFFICERS OF lOW^A CITY, FROM ITS ORGANIZATION TO MARCH, 1882: 

1853. — On the 6th day of April, the city government of Iowa City went 
into operation by the following persons being sworn into the respective 
offices, by George S. Hampton, clerk of the Supreme Court of Iowa: 
Jacob P. DeForest, mayor; Anson Hart, recorder; C. H. Buck, treas- 
urer; R. Hutchinson, marshal; Benj. King, assessor. 

Aldermen. — First Ward— Edward Lanning, Wm. H. Hunt, and E. C. 
Lee. Second Ward — Thomas Snyder, F. P. Brossart, and W. Penn 
Clark.* Third Ward — Peter Roberts, Peter Stetzer, and J. R. Van 
Fleet.f 

1854. — On the third day of April, the following persons were elected 

* On the 25th clay of April, W. Penn Clarke resigned his seat, and H. W. Lathrop was 
elected to till the vacancy. On the llth day of July, H, W. Lathrop resigned his seat, and 
Geo. W. McCleary was elected to fill the vacancy. 

f On the llth day of July, J. R. Van Fleet resigned, and Morgan Reno was elected to fill 
the vacancy. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 677 

to the respective offices, and duly sworn in: Joseph E. Fales, mayor; M. 
J. Talbott, recorder; C. H. Buck, treasurer; J. B. Middleton, marshal. 

1855. — On the 2d day of April, the following persons were elected to 
the respective offices, and duly sworn in: G. D. Woodin, mayor; J. G. 
Sperry, recorder; Jacob Ricord, treasurer; J. N. Clark, marshal. 

1856. — On the 7th day of April, the following persons were elected to 
the respective offices, and were duly sworn in: John M. Carleton, mayor; 
J. G. Sperry, recorder; J. Ricord, treasurer; Benj. King, marshal; N. H. 
White, assessor. 

1857. — Officers elected April 6: Morgan Reno, mayor; H. E. Brown, 
recorder; Silas Foster, treasurer; L. W. Talbott, marshal; D. A. Milling- 
ton, assessor. 

1858. — Officers elected April 5: Chas. T. Ransom, mayor; H. E. 
Brown, recorder; Jesse Berry, treasurer; L. W. Talbott, marshal. 

1859. — Officers elected April 1: Moses J. Morsman, mayor; Martin 
J. Talbott, recorder; Benj. King, treasurer; W. G. Hickman, marshal. 

I860.— Officers elected April 2: Peter A. Dey, mayor; S. P. McCad- 
don, recorder; Benj. King, treasurer; John Bremer, marshal. 

1861.— Officers elected April 1: G. W. Clark, mayor; S. P. McCad- 
don, recorder; R. H. Sylvester, treasurer; John Curry, marshal. 

1862.— Officers elected April 7: G. H. Collins, mayor; S. P. McCad- 
don, recorder; R. H. Sylvester, treasurer; J. W. Mitchell, marshal. 

1863.— Officers elected April 6: J. B. Buttles, mayor; John Martin,* 
recorder; R. H. Sylvester, treasurer; John W. Mitchell, marshal. 

1864. — Officers elected March 7, in accordance with the provisions of 
general incorporation act: Geo. W. McCleary,'mayor; L. W. Talbott,f 
marshal; H. Murray, treasurer. 

C. F. Clarke was appointed city clerk March 15, 1864. 

1865.— Officers elected March 6: Geo. W. McCleary, mayor; L. W. 
Talbott, marshal; S. P. McCaddon, treasurer. March 25, C. F. Clarke 
was appointed city clerk. 

1866. — Officers elected March 5: G. W. McCleary, mayor; Edgar 
Harrison, marshal; S. P. McCaddon, treasurer; E. O. Swaine, assessor, 
J. Y. Blackwell, solicitor. March 14, Benjamin Owen was appointed 
street commissioner. C. F. Clarke continued in office as city clerk until 
in December, 1866, when John P. Irish was appointed to succeed him for 
the balance of the term, and Benjamin Owen was superseded in the 
office of street commissioner by L. Gallagher. 

* A. .T. Cassidy was appointed Recorder by the Council on the 20th day of August, the 
office having become vacant by the removal of John Martin from the city. 

t On the 28th day of May, 1864, L, W. Talbott resigned the office of marshal, and A. T. 
McElwaine was appointed to fill the vacancy. On the 11th day of October, 1864, A. T. 
McElwaine resigned the office of marshal, and L. W, Talbott, was appointed in his stead. 
43 



678 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

1867. — Officers elected March 4: Geo. W. McClear}^ mayor; Edgar 
Harrison, marshal; S. P. McCaddon, treasm-er. John P. Irish was 
appointed city clerk, March 15. January 3d, 1868, John P. Irish having 
resigned the office of city clerk, Henry N. Berry was appointed to fill 
the vacancy. 

1868. — Officers elected March 2: Geo. W. McCleary, mayor; Edgar 
Harrison, marshal; William Louis, treasurer. Henry N. Berry was 
appointed city clerk. 

1869. — Officers elected March 1, and sworn in March 15: F. H. Lee, 
mayor; J. S. TurnbuU, marshal; William Louis, treasurer; Thomas 
Hughes, city clerk. 

1870. — Officers elected March 7: F. H. Lee, mayor; David H. Reece, 
marshal; Rush Clark, solicitor; Thos. W. Rogers, treasurer; Thomas 
Hughes, clerk. 

1871. — Officers elected March 6: S. E. Paine, mayor; David H. Reece, 
marshal; Thos. W. Rogers, treasurer; Thomas Hughes, clerk. 

1872. — Officers elected March 4: S. E. Paine, mayor; John Remick,* 
treasurer; Thomas Hughes, clerk. 

1873. — Officers elected March 3: S. E. Paine, mayor; j. Norwood 
Clark, treasurer; John H, Griffith, clerk. 

1874. — Officers elected March 2: Moses Bloom, mayor; John N. Col- 
dren, treasurer; John H. Griffith, clerk. 

1875. — Officers elected March 1: Jacob Ricord, mayor; John Sueppel, 
treasurer; John H. Griffith, clerk. He resigned, and May 14, 1875, J. D. 
Sperry was appointed to fill vacancy. 

1875. — Officers elected March 6: Henry Morrow, mayor; L. B. Pat- 
terson, city solicitor; John Sueppel, treasurer; C. F. Clarke, clerk. 

1877. — Officers elected March 5: Frederick Theobald, mayor; C. M. 
Renof, treasurer; Joseph Mullin, clerk. 

1878.— Officers elected March 4: Jacob Ricord, mayor; H. H. Seeley, 
treasurer; Thomas Hughes, clerk. 

1879.— Officers elected March 3: Mathew Cavanagh, mayor; H. H 
Seeley, treasurer; Thomas Hughes, clerk. 

1880. — Officers elected March 1: Wm. A. Morrison, mayor; H. H. 
Seeley, treasurer; Thomas Hughes, clerk. 

1881. — Wm. A. Morrison, mayor; Dennis Maher, treasurer; H. D. 
Rowe, city clerk. 

1882. — Mayor, John J. Holmes; clerk. Max Otto; treasurer, J. J. 
Lashek; assessor, E. G. Fracker; solicitor, C. S. Ranek; street commis- 
sioner, Thomas Hannon ; chief of police, Henry Shinn. 

Councilmen. — First ward, O. D. Goodrich, Benjamin Owen; second 

*0a the 25th day of Marcli, 1873, J. A. L. Tice was appointed treasurer to fill vacancy- 
caused by the death of John Remick. 

f Resigned November 19, 1877, and C. A. Vogt appointed to fill vacancy. 



I 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 679 

ward, N. H. Brainerd, S. J. Hess; third ward, A. J. Rider, H. F. Bon- 
orden; fourth ward, Jos. Dehner, J. M. B. Letovsky; fith ward, Frank 
Tanner, Geo. W. Ball. 

THE CITY HALL. 

At the present tinie, (1882,) Iowa City has the largest and finest city 
hall of any city in the State — not even excepting Des Moines. 

The building was erected in 1881, at the corner of Washington and 
Linn streets, on a lot that the city bought from Peter M. Musser, May 
24, 1875, for $2,500, and was completed ready for use January 1, 1882. 
The lot, building, bell and furniture cost about ijjl 9,000. 

BURNING OF THE CITY HALL. 

In the night ot September, 1882, the city hall was burned, the fire prob- 
ably having originated from a gas jet left burning under the hose rack in 
the room of " Protection " engine company. The gas had been left 
burning at its proper height; but when the lights in stores, hotels and 
other places were shut off, of course the pressure was increased on the 
few burners still open, and from this cause the fiame is supposed to have 
overreached its bounds, and in some way caught some inflammable mate- 
rial. The fire was witnessed by the writer hereof, but we clip from the 
Press report the following points: 

Shortly after one o'clock on Friday morning last, officer Scott Wilson 
saw from Ham's hall a slight blaze in the committee room in the north- 
west corner of the building. The alarm was speedil}^ given, and the two 
halls where dances were in progress poured out their throngs. The fire, 
when discovered, was largely in the upper part of the building. In ten 
minutes after the alarm was given the whole garrett was on fire and the 
flames bursting from windows and eaves. The firemen worked with a 
nervous energ}^, but fate was against them. Unfortunately three hundred 
feet of hose was burned in the beginning of the fire so as to be rendered 
useless, and efforts of the brave men were sadly clogged. The first floor 
of the west half of the building comprising the mayor's and marshal's 
office and the lock-up suffered little damage by fire. The walls all stand, 
and the fire burning from the top down are not irreparably damaged. All 
the furniture on the upper floor was destroyed. The stout timbers held 
the heavy bell until it was well nigh white hot; when it fell it crashed 
through the smoking floors and lies in the cellar. Its loss is little regret- 
ted ; it was a failure from the first, and the one good thing that may come 
out of the fire will be a good bell. 

The total loss will reach about $17,000. The insurance is: 

National Hartford (Dodder) $ 2,000 

Franklin, Philadelphia (Bacon) 2,000 

Alliance, New York (Shipman) 2,000 

Niagara, New York, (Swisher) 2,000 

Underwriters, Boston (Hutchinson) 1,500 

Hawkeye, Des Moines (Towns) 500 

Total $10,000 

The insurances were promptly adjusted, and on September 20th the 



680 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

contract for rebuilding the hall was let to Messrs. Sheets & Gesberg for 

$9,925. 

FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

The "Rescue" Hook and Ladder Company was organized May 21, 
1872, with H. Morrow, foreman; H. Murray, first assistant; H. Gearkee, 
second assistant; A. J. Ruter, treasurer; A.J.Tucker, secretary. The 
membership then was forty men. This company has attended all fires 
since its organization; has had two members killed and several injured 
while in the performance of duty. In 1882 there are fifty members, it 
being the largest company in the department. The officers are E. E. 
Brainerd, foreman; W. E. C. Foster, first assistant; A. G. Tucker, second 
assistant; M. W. Davis, treasurer; Charles Shrader, secretary. 

OFFICERS OF FIRE DEPARTMENT, 1882. 

Chief, James Brannan. 

First Assistant, J. K. Baranek. 

Second Assistant, Joseph Myers. 

Foreman " Rescue " hook and ladder, E. E. Brainerd. 

Foreman " Protection " engine, L. D. Porch. 

Foreman " Protection " hose, Henry Langenberg. 

Foreman "Clark" engine, F. R. Stebbins. 

Foreman "Clark" hose, E. A. Comstock. 

Foreman "Ever Ready" hook and ladder, Milton Hess. This is the 
boys' company. 

[Ed. Brainerd furnished the items of history of " Rescue " Hook and 
Ladder Company, but no other company furnished any, hence it is no 
fault of the historian that they do not appear.] 

FINANCES— RAILROAD BONDS, ETC. 

March 12, 1855, Iowa City voted to take $50,000 stock in the Missis- 
sippi & Missouri Railroad Company. 339 ballots were cast; 308 were for 
taking stock, 30 against, and 1 defective ballot. 

March 23, 1857, the city clerk copied the following receipt upon the 
city records: 

New York, March 13, lbo7. 
It is hereby certified, that Iowa City, in the State of Iowa, has paid the 
sum of fifty thousand dollars in bonds, and is the owner of that amount 
of the capital stock in the first division of the Mississippi & Missouri 
railroad, from the city of Davenport to Iowa City, and that the same 
shall not be diverted therefrom without the consent of said Iowa City. 

. ■- — s Given under our hands and seal of the company. 

\ SEAL. - A. C. Flagg, John A. Dix, 

' v.^-^ ' Treas. President M. & M. R. R. Co. 

Iowa City has over $50,000 of this debt to pay yet, being balance on a 
compromise. 
July 5, 1853, the assessment of real property in Iowa City was $155,670, 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 681 

with the improvements exempt; personal property was $148,918; polls, 
333; dogs, 108. 

CITY FINANCES, NOV, 1, 1882. 

8 per cent city bonds, due in 1891 $ 27,500 00 

7 per cent city bonds, due in 1885 9,300 00 

6 per cent city bonds, due in 1896-97 27,500 00 

5 per cent city bonds, due in 1891 13,000 00 

6 per cent city bonds, due in 1897 5,000 00 

7 per cent city bonds, for pest house, due Dec, 1882 550 00 

Total $ 82,850 00 

March 16, 1874, total indebtedness was $115,358 70. 

The city indebtedness has been lessened in eight years, $32,508 70. 

Total estimated value of all the resources of the city, 1882, $46,162 55. 

Total estimated expenditures of the city for the year 1882, $35,772 08. 

The city commenced mecadamizing its streets in 1872, and has com- 
pleted a block and more each \'ear since. The first work was on South 
Capital street; the next year Clinton and Washington streets, and this 
year [1882] finds Dubuque, Iowa avenue and College streets, and in fact 
all the streets in the business portion of the city are in splendid condition ; 
and Iowa City has the finest mecadamized streets of any city in Iowa. 

WARD BOUNDARIES. 

An Ordinance defining the boundaries of the several wards of Iowa 

City, Iowa. 

Section 1. Be it ordained by the City Council of Iowa City, That all 
that part of said Iowa City, lying south of the center of College street and 
west of the center of Linn street, shall constitute the first ward of said 
Iowa City. 

Sec. 2. That all that part of said Iowa City, lying north of the center 
of College street, and west of the center of Linn street, shall constitute the 
second ward of said Iowa City. 

Sec. 3. That all that part of said Iowa City, lying north of the center 
of Bloomington street, and east of the center of Linn street, shall consti- 
tute the third ward of said Iowa City. 

Sec, 4. That all that part of said Iowa City, lying south of the center 
of Bloomington street, and east of the center of Linn street, and north of 
the center of College street, shall constitute the fourth ward of said Iowa 
City. 

Sec 5. That all that part of said Iowa City, lying south of the center 
of College street, and east of the center of Linn street, shall constitute the 
fifth ward of said Iowa City. 

Sec 6. For the purposes of this ordinance and so far as it is applica- 
ble, the center lines of all streets named in this ordinance as division lines, 
or boundary lines of the several wards of Iowa City, are hereby extended 
to the present corporate Hmits of said Iowa City as defined and established 

by resolution of the City Council of said city, passed May 5th, 1876. 
* * * -H- * * * * * * -X- * 

Sec 8. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordi- 
nance, are hereby repealed. 



682 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Sec. 9. This ordinance to take eftect and be in force from and after 
March 1st, 1879. 

Passed December 6th, 1878. 

MEETINGS. 

An Ordinance establishing the time for the regular meetings of the City 

Council. 

Section 1. Beit ordained by City Council of Iowa City, That from 
and after the passage and legal publication of this ordinance the regular 
meetings of the City Council for each year shall commence on the evening 
of the third Monday in March, and thereafter shall be held on the first 
Friday evening of each month. The hour of meeting from the first day 
of April until the first day of October shall be at eight o'clock p. m., and 
during the remainder of the year at seven and a half o'clock p. m. 

Sec. 2. All ordinances in conflict with this ordinance, be and the same 
are hereby repealed. 

Passed January 2d, 1880. Published January 7th, 1880. 

city hospital. — PEST HOUSE. — CEMETERY. 

March 5, 1855, a board of health was created — but what they did, and 
who they were the record does not say. It is reported that Iowa City had 
a few cases of cholera in 1851, '55 and '56. The Oakland Cemetery has 
a great many head stones, showing that a number of people died in those 
years ; but we find no mention made of it in the papers published here in those 
years, and nothing on the city records, only that a motion was under con- 
sideration in 1855 in the city council to build a hospital; but they decided 
in October not to build because the time had passed that year for needing 
one. 

December 23, 1881, the city bought lot No. 3, block 10, Wood's Addi- 
tion to Iowa City, from John W. Porter, with a two story frame building 
thereon, for $550, to be used as a pest hou^e, the city being afflicted to a 
slight extent with small-pox. 

February 13, 1843, the legislature of the territory of Iowa donated out- 
lot No. 10, to Iowa City, and on the 6th day of February, 1854, Judge 
George W. McCleary and S. Hemstead, Secretary of State, made a deed 
for the same to Iowa City — expressing therein that it should be used for a 
public burying ground. It contains about one acre. It is called Oakland 
Cemetery. The city has bought additional ground until they now have 
about six acres. The Catholic Cemetery, adjoining Oakland Cemetery, 
contains about three acres. These grounds are in the north-east portion 
of the city. 

POST OFFICE BUSINESS. 

The following statements are based on the monthly and quarterly 
reports of 1881-82: 3,200 letters are put in the boxes every day, and 
sometimes the number far exceeds that. Besides that large number of 
letters, at least 5,000 packages of papers are received every day, the 
aggregate weight of which is about 800 pounds. About 20 post office 
orders are presented daily, the amount of money thus paid out averaging 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 683 

$300, and the fees on these orders netting Uncle Sam a revenue of about 
three dollars. The mone\^ orders issued from the office average about 
18 per day. 142 lock boxes have been added during the past year, 
making in all 461 lock and 1000 call boxes. That these are all taken is a 
sufficient showing of the demands on the office. Twenty-four mails are 
daily sent out from the office and as many reach it. Twelve go into, and 
the same number come from the country, while the railroads bring and 
carry away the rest. 

Mail matter dispatched in 1881: 

Number of pieces first class 567,684 

" " second class 560,800 

" " merchandise 840 

Mail received: 

Letters and postal cards 939,900 

Papers and second class 804,524 

Merchandise 3,328 

Money orders issued 5,1 48 $51,324.08 

Money orders paid 5,824 74,022.04 

THE OPERA HOUSE. 

This building was erected on the site of the old Clinton House, which 
was burned down in 1872. The foundations are of limestone from the 
quarries in Johnson county, and Mr. J. O'Hanlon saw that the work was 
done right. The opera house proper has a frontage on Clinton street of 
71 feet and 80 on College. The main entrance is on College street 
through two double doors. The ticket office is on the first floor between 
the landings of the broad stairways that lead, by the ample vestibule, to 
the auditorium which is entered through two double doors. From the 
vestibule to the main floor two broad stairways lead to another large 
vestibule from which entrance is made to the gallery through two large 
doors. The stage, located on the south side of the room, is 60x30 feet. 
The fire proof scenery, consisting of eight complete sets, composed of 
chambers of the Louis XV style, modern chambers, Bastillian prison, 
rustic kitchen, perspective street, a street house, water landscapes, garden 
and rustic cottages, with wings to match all of the above scenes, and the 
proscenium drapery, border top and sky borders, and the imposing drop 
curtain. The stage is lighted with 21 burners in the foot lights and 54 
burners in border lights above the stage, with strong reflectors all arranged 
so there is no danger by fire. The auditorium is 50x60 feet, the parquet 
will seat 234, the dress circle 266 and the gallery about 550 persons very 
comfortably, and by putting chairs in the aisles about 1,400 people can be 
accommodated. It is lighted by a large reflector with 64 burners, and 
seven two burner brackets under the gallery. The ceiling is elaborately 
ornamented, relieved in the four corners by the finely painted portraits of 
Myerbeer in the S. E.; Beethoven, in the S. W.; Mozart, in the N. W,; 
and Wagner, in the N. E. corner, and in the center of the proscenium an 



684 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

elegant picture of Shakespeare. The whole building is heated by steam. 
The chairs in the auditorium are of the improved style of perforated wood 
tilting opera chairs. The plans of the building were drawn by R. S. 
Finkbine, who supervised its construction as architect. The brick were 
burned by N. Oaks and laid by the day under the supervision of Thomas 
Hill and Hon. E. Clark. The iron work was furnished by Tulloss & Co.; 
the stone work by J. W. Sterling & Co. and the painting of the wood work 
was done by Mahana Bros. The wood work was done by Sheets, Ges- 
burg & Co. The galvanized irom cornice and balustrade were manu- 
factured and put up by Maresh & Holubar. The painting and sanding 
of these galvanized iron work was done by David Coover. The iron 
roof was laid by J. N. Seydel. The steam heating apparatus and water 
pipes were put in by the Haxton Steam Heating Co. The gas pipes and 
fixtures were all put in by Mr. Mathew Maher. The Opera House is 
owned by Messrs. Clark and Hill, and is one of the creditable business 
enterprises of the city. 

THE ST. JAMES HOTEL. 

It is a large three-story brick building, situated on the corner of Clinton 
street and Iowa Avenue. The post-office occupies the corner room on 
the first floor. It is the largest hotel in the city. The second floor is 
used for an office, sample-room, parlor, dining-room, and kitchen, and the 
balance of the building contains 40 rooms for the accommodation of guests. 
The building is owned by the Hon. Peter A. Dey (the Thompson estate) 
of Iowa City. This hotel was inaugurated in 1872, by Col. M. D. Wood, 
who has been its proprietor ever since. 



MANUFACTORIES. 

Iowa City contains a goodly number of important and creditable man- 
ufacturing enterprises, such as require steam power, and a considerable 
investment of business talent and cash capital to carry them on. The 
writer of this history prepared blanks and sent out to seventeen such 
establishments, requesting a return of such facts as would enable us to 
give a sketch of their business in the history of Johnson county. Some 
complained that former sketches published had been incorrect; some 
declined to make any statement, and some sent us a verbal reference to a 
sketch printed somewhere, some time, without giving date or furnishing 
a copy. Blanks were sent to flouring-mills, paper-mill, pearl-mill, oil-mill, 
elevator, breweries, planing-mill, iron-works, glucose-works, alcohol- 
works, glass-works, gas-works, banks, etc., with a view of showing the 
manufacturing and commercial status of Iowa City in 1882. Such fre- 
quent complaint was made of errors in former publications that we aimed 
to obtain data from first hands, and on their own authority. But the fol- 
lowing are all the manufactories that furnished their statistics, and much 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTV. 685 

as he regrets the meager showing here made for Iowa City's great indus- 
tries, the writer wishes it distinctly understood that the deficiency in this 
respect is from no fault or neglect on his part. 

CITY GAS WORKS. 

The Gas Compan}^ was first organized Nov. 9, 1857. 

Section 1. Be it o?-dained by the City Cotmcil of Iowa City, That 
John N. Coldren & Co., their associates, successors and assigns, as indi- 
viduals or as a body corporate, under such name as they may hereafter 
adopt, be and they are hereby authorized, and the exclusive privilege is 
hereby granted to the said John N. Coldren & Co., their associates, suc- 
cessors and assigns, for the term of twenty years from the passage' of this 
ordinance, to use the streets, alleys and public grounds of said Iowa City, 
including any territory that may hereafter be annexed to said city, for the 
purpose of laying down pipes for conveying gas for supplying said city, 
and the inhabitants thereof with gaslight: Provided, That said said John 
N. Coldren & Co., their associates, successors and assigns, shall give the 
street commissioner of said city three days' notice in writing previous to 
the opening of any street, alley or public grounds, for the purpose afore- 
said, and shall not unnecessarily obstruct the passage of the said streets, 
alleys or public grounds: Provided also, That no street shall be so 
obstructed as to entirel}^ prevent the passage of teams at any time. 

Sec. 2. The privileges hereby granted are upon the express condition 
that the said John N. Coldren & Co., their associates, successors and 
assigns, shall within eight (8) months from the passage of this ordinance 
put down three thousand and two hundred (3,200) feet of main pipe within 
said Iowa City, and that the price of gas to the inhabitants of said city 
shall be at the following rates, that is to say: whilst the number of private 
consumers of gas within said city shall be less than two hundred (200), 
the price of gas shall be five dollars and fifty cents ($5.50) per thousand 
cubic feet; when the number of private consumers of gas in said city shall 
be between two hundred (200) and three hundred and fifty (350), the price 
of gas shall be five dollars ($5.00) per thousand cubic feet; and when the 
number of private consumers shall exceed three hundred and fifty (350), 
the price of gas shall be four dollars and fifty cents ($4.50) por thousand 
cubic feet. 

Passed April 8, 1870. 

Gas Bills. — The city pays for 115 lamps — $3,600 — to the Iowa City 
Gas and Light Company, now owned and controlled b}" J. K. Graves & 
Co., of Dubuque, Iowa. In 1879 the city council put up about sixty 
kerosene lamps on the outskirts of the city. 

THE CITY WATER WORKS. 

The ordinance under which the water works were erected was passed 
July 17, 1882. Among other things, it provides, in section 9, for seventy- 
five hydrants, at :]560 each per year, and $50 each for any additional num- 
ber the city may order. Free use of water is stipulated for washing 
streets and alleys, sprinkling public grounds, cleaning fire apparatus, use 
in city hall, two public fountains, four watering troughs, and as many 
public drinking faucets on fire hydrants as the city council may order. 



686 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Section 12 provides that a tax levy, not to exceed five mills on the dol- 
lar, may be assessed only on property within the limit of fire protection 
by the water works. 

Section 7 provides that " the machinery used in the construction of said 
works shall consist of one Holly's quadruplex compound condensing 
pumpin£f engines, in complete working order, and having a capacity to 
deliver into the mains one and one-half million gallons of water in twenty- 
four hours. This engine and pumps will consist of four engines and four 
pumps, and can be run with one, two, three, or four pumps at pleasure 
of engineer. There shall also be placed in pumping-house a duplex pump 
of one million gallons daily capacity,'making a daily pumping capacity of 
two and one half million gallons in twenty-four hours. There shall be 
erected a stone and brick pumping-house to contain said machinery. 

Sec. 10. The said grantees, their heirs, or assigns, shall at all times, 
in case of fire alarm cause a sufficient pressure to be kept up at the fire 
hydrants in use to throw six streams of water simultaneously out of one 
and one-fourth inch nozzles or eight streams from one inch nozzles a dis- 
tance of 150 feet horizontally, or 100 feet perpendicularly from any hydrant 
or hose attached thereto in the city, such streams to be thrown from at 
least 150 feet of hose. 

Sec. 16. The water furnished to said city by said grantees, their 
heirs, or assigns shall be well filtered, and at all times clean, pure, and 
wholesome, and all filters shall be cleaned as often as necessary, and all 
mains, pipes, and hydrants shall be well washed and cleaned at least once 
a month, or oftener, if necessary. 

The above are the main points of general public interest, the rest is 
merely the ordinary working details of the contract between the city corpor- 
ation and the water-works company. There were to be five and one-fourth 
miles of main pipes laid, and seventy double discharge fire hydrants ready 
for service by January 1, 1883. The pumping-house and filter are on the 
river bank at the junction of Bloomington and Madison streets. 

ALCOHOL WORKS. 

The company was organized June 2, 1879. Works started November, 
10, 1879. Buildings and machinery cost $50,000. Average run within 
the last year, 600 bushels per day. Suspended temporarily in 1882 
because supply of grain was short, and not a good season for feeding cat- 
tle. Average number of hands employed, 40 — not including the five U. 
S. revenue officers. The product was nearly all exported — principally to 
Spain. Their tax-paying market was Rock Island and New York. 
Total working capital in the business, $100,000. Have large ice-house; 
12 cattle-sheds; 8 cribs, besides other storage room; total capacity of grain 
storage, 100,000 bushels. Up to October, 1882, no serious accident had 
ever occurred in these works. 

GLUCOSE WORKS. 

Iowa City Grape Sugar Company Works first started March 1, 1881. 
Cost of grounds, buildings and machinery, $160,000. Present capital in 
the business $200,000. Daily capacity of works, 2,000 bushels of corn,. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 68T 

for which three car loads of coal is used. Average number of hands 
employed 100— two sets: twelve hours on and twelve off. Products last 
year, total, 12,000 cases of goods. Goods prepared for table use, and sold 
to wholesale houses, grocers and confectioners. Manufacture grape 
sugar, glucose, and corn syrups. No accident has ever happened in 
these work (Sept. 10, 1882). W. P. Coast, president; W.J. Allen, super- 
intendent; Samuel Sharpless, treasurer; E. G. Fracker, secretary till June, 
1882— after that time A. J. Hershire was the secretary. 

THE IOWA CITY PACKING COMPANY. 

Situated on the switch of the B., C. R. & N. R. R. in the south part of 
Iowa City, not far from the distillery. It was completed in the fall of 
1881, and the company operated all winter, and until hogs could not be 
had, then closed up; but opened again Nov. 1, 1882. It is one of the chief 
business enterprises of Iowa City. Its capacity is 500 hogs per day. The 
officers of the company are the Hon. Ezekiel Clark, president, and A. C. 
Younkin, secretary; T. G. Glover, superintendent. There are three car 
and four wagon shutes for unloading hogs into the pens. The usual parti- 
tions, gates and means of sorting and separating the animals are used, and 
the floored pens lead into a way to the platform of the great Victor scale 
w^hich weighs a car load at a draught. When slaughtering begins the 
animals are driven from the pens into the elevator, by which they enter 
the building at the second story. Once inside, they wind up and up 
approaching the knife by easy stages until they reach the top floor where 
in a close corner they are ciiught, hung up by the heels, stuck, and passed 
on to be dropped into the scalding vat. From the time they take the 
knife till they take the water they pass over and parallel to a trough 
which catches their blood, as 'die dish did the gore of cock robin. Plunged 
into the hot bath they go through it, are thrown by a mechanical contriv- 
ance on to a long table and pass under the hands of the "scrapers." 
Cleaned of their hair they are gambreled and pass to the "gutters," are 
disembowled and robbed of their rough lard. 

"The gambrels are hung on wheels which run on an iron way and carry 
the hog into the cooling room," a great apartment well aired and with a 
capacity of 2,200 hogs. Here, still on the gambrels, they are ranged in 
long rows and allowed to cool off. At the end of each row is a trap door. 
Below are the dungeons called the "chill room" that holds 3,000 hogs 
Cages of ice makes its temperature arctic. The carcasses are split and 
dropped through the traps to be hung up in that cold air, where the last 
pulse of animal heat is soon chilled and the meat becomes firm and solid. 
Out of this they go into the cutting room and are cut into the various parts 
and pieces known to commerce. From this room is one shute for the 
"long and short clear" and another for the shoulders and hams, through 
which they go into the "bulking" room below. This room is chilled also,. 



688 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

and the temperature is kept even by quadruple sashed windows and thick 
walls. Here the meat is cured. 

What becomes of the rest of the hog? To begin with, his blood is 
caught in that trough away up under his death bed and passes into a great 
iron pipe and starts back down stairs. His viscera and rough lard are 
taken from the gutters, and thrown into great tanks and pass thence into 
retorts nearty full of water. At the upper end of these are pipes which 
carry off the lard as it rises from the boiling, while the lower ends open 
and discharge the residue down below. Going down stairs, we enter the 
"fertilizing room" where the bones, blood and all the offal come for con- 
version into manure. The iron pipe discharges the blood into vats where 
it is steam cooked until you can cut it with a knife and it looks like liver. 
It is then put into the dryer, a device which reduces it to a dry powder 
and one of the best manures for use on pasture, meadow or corn, and first 
on the list of the cotton planters, so when we put on a clean shirt we are 
clad in the hog we slopped and fed and ran after a year before, for his 
blood has passed in the chemistry of nature, into the cotton plant to per- 
fect its fiber. To this room come the bones and all of the hog that is 
uneatable and is reduced to powder and caked for manure. The fine lard 
is steamed and its "cracklings" come here too. The completion ot this 
best building and its successful operation for one year are important events 
in the growth and histor}^ of Iowa City. 

The following reminiscence of old-time pork enterprise is from the 
State Press, and comes in here appropriately for comparison with the 
great modern packing-house above described: 

"In early days when hogs were not so plenty nor so well bred, there 
was a packing-house here. It was built, owned and run by the late John 
Powell, a merchant and factor who wrought great results out of the 
small opportunities offered by frontier commerce. His pork-house stood 
not far from the site of the Washington House, west side of the University 
campus, then the "Capital Square," and in 1851, it stood with its founda- 
tion in the waters of the great flood and its walls a lonely sentinel over 
the waste of wet which stretched from the hills on Clear creek west of 
the Rock Island track to the west line of the campus, and again from the 
line of hills which close upon the river at Richard Sanders', clear across 
to the ridge of Gen. Morris' ' Tulip Hill ' farm. In that old house Mr. 
Powell bulked pork in winter. The hogs were hazel splitters, with lots 
of lean. The meat was cured and sent to St. Louis in the spring on flat- 
boats which were poled down the rivers. There it was exchanged for 
merchandise, which would be brought back on a steamboat." 

THE GREAT WESTERN BREWERY. 

One of the largest breweries in the State, is owned by John P. Dostal, 
and is located on the corner of Gilbert and Market streets. The first 
building of this brewery was built by Rupert in 1857. Dostal bought 
this property in 1873, and built the malt house, and in 1877 he built an 
addition and put in steam. The capacity is 25,000 barrels a year. There 



HISTDRY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 689 

is a cellar under the whole building, and a fine ice house was built in 
1878, 150 feet in length, 35 feet wide and 20 feet high. He also manu- 
factures mineral water. 

An official report made by collector Davis for 1866 shows that 4,119 
barrels of beer were manufactured and sold in Iowa City during that 
year. 

June 23, 1867, a fire occurred which destroyed eight buildings, on Iowa 
avenue and Clinton street. Among them was the first* brick building 
erected in the city twenty-seven 3'ears before, by a Mr. Bostwick, and of 
which George T. Andrews was the architect. Mr. Crum's printing office 
was burned at the same time, after having occupied the same room for 
twenty-six years. The Iowa City Standard was printed there in 1840. 

IOWA CITY CONDENSED. 

At Iowa City steam and river turn many wheels. 

No. of Employes. 

Iowa alcohol works 40 

Iowa City grape sugar works *75 

Iowa City glass works 60 

Pearl oat meal mill at Coralville 12 

Marsh & Holubar, cornice makers 20 

M. T. Close & Sons, paper mill, Coralville 40 

M. T. Close & Co., oil mill 30 

Val Miller's flour mill, Coralville 10 

Iowa City flour mills, Lyman Parsons 6 

Ryerson & Son, flour mill 7 

Hawkeye machine shops 20 

Sheets, Getsburg & Co., planing mill 30 

Hotz & Co., brewery ... 6 

Englest & Rittenmyer, brewery 8 

J. P . Dostal's brewery 10 

Jaym, bridge-builder 6 

Long & Sons, bridge builders 10 

Steam heating shop 10 

Broom factory 8 

Water works 20 

Gas works 10 

C, R. I. & P. R. R. Co 30 

B., C. R. & N. R. R. Co 30 

In addition to this we may add that Iowa City has 3 good banks, 30 
benevolent institutions, 15 churches, 25 manufacturing establishments of 
all kinds, 340 business places, 10 wholesale houses, and the most public 
buildings of State and county of any city in Iowa. 



•690 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

ROSTER OF TOWNSHIP OFFICERS FOR 1882. 

Big Grove Township — J. P., P. B. Andrews, U. C. Brown; constables, 
W. A. Palmar, Jas. Payn; clerk, M. Schircliff; assessor, A.M. White; 
trustees, P. Hauptman, A. W. Beuter and Jacob Kessler. 

Cedar Tozunship.—]. P., Nelson Paxson, Eli Dickey; constable, N. 
Swaftbrd; clerk, S. M. Bowman; assessor, }. L. Adams; trustees, James 
Drabek, John E. Adams, and D. Malony. 

Clear Creek Townshif. — J. P., Geo. W. Watson, Lorenzo Davis; con- 
stables, David Walker, Pat. Murphy; clerk, John D. Colony; assessor, J. 
M. Douglass; trustees, Nath. Bovvers, J. C Hamilton. 

Fremont Tozvnshif. — J. P., Richard Huskins, Eli Fountain; constables, 
Geo. Edmonds, E. Reppert; clerk, G. W. Hensley; assessor, Isaac Fair- 
child; trustees, Geo. Pepple, D. Carey, and T. Carl. 

Graham Township. — J. P., F. A. Beranek and Geo. Atkinson; consta- 
bles, J. A. Holland, John Lumpa; clerk, J. W. Holland; assessor, Eugene 
Sullivan ; trustees, Thomas Metcalf, J. M. Huffman and Charles Dingle- 
berry. 

Hardin Tozvnshif. — J. P., John Reynolds and Thos. Watson; constable, 
John Dooleyi clerk, J. R. Heal}-; assessor, Owen T. Gallagy; trustees, 
Nathan Crow and A. Smith. 

Iowa City Township. — J. P., G. W. Dodder, D. S. Barber; constables, 
W. W. Paterson, James Havlik; clerk, L. A. Allen; assessor, J. P. 
Pisha; trustees, J. N. Clark, F. W. Rabenau and J. P. Pisha. 

Jefferson Township. — J. P., Geo. C.Andrews, F.J. Pudill; constables, 
M. Anderson, A. Nerba; clerk, Paul Korab; assessor, Joseph Horak; 
trustees, Frank Sulek, J. S. Bowersox and J. W. Graham. 

Liberty Tozvnship. — ^J. P., Gregory Gross, M. Birrer; constables, 
Anthony Miller, John Melleker; clerk, Gregory Gross; assessor, Jacob 
Overholtzer; trustees, Jo. S. Ruppencamp, Joseph Hirt and Jones Hart- 
man. 

Lincoln Township. — ^J. P., James McFadden and Hugh Crawford; con- 
stables, John Peckham, Gus. Seiver; clerk, Charles Sheppard; assessor, A. 
R. Cherry; trustees, A. Sheland, Wm. Dodd and Claus Lutze. 

Lucas Tozvnship. — J. P., G. R. Irish and AlixKozer; constable, George 
T. Borland and Wm. Davis; clerk, J. G. Sperry; assessor, S. P. Fry; 
trustees, Paul Causter, Wm. Hanke and J. G. Crain. 

Monroe Toxunship. — J. P., A. P. Miller, Graham Thorn; constables, 
Levi Anderson, Joseph Konasek; clerk, Graham Thorn; assessor, Joseph 
Konasek; trustees, Josiah Millward, A. D. Slezak, A. Holubar. 

Madison Township. — J. P., A.J. Rope, James Chamberlain; constable, 
Samuel AUoway; clerk, R. H. Wray; assessor, M. Young; trustees, James 
Bridenstine, O. P. Babcock and John Sherman. 

Newport Township. — J. P., Wm. Shuck, A. M. Hubbard; constables, J. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 091 

K. McCallough, Henry Scharf; clerk, Joseph Kost: assessor, Thomas 
McCallough; trustees, W.J, Mullen, Frank Kasper and James Geary. 

Oxford Tozvnshi-p. — J. P., Geo. Rentz and W. H. Cotton; constables, 
John Berline, John Gamble: clerk, S. M. Stouffer; assessor, x\. F. Bos- 
worth; trustee, John Masten, J. Sherlock, James Hardy. 

Penn Township. — J. P., Nathan Owens, T. R. Hackett; consatbles, J. 
F. Price, T. R. Largents: clerk, H. A. White; assessor, S. B. Myers ; trus- 
tees, Abe Albright, P. Long, Isaac Myers. 

Pleasant Valley Tozvnship. — J. P., Lewis Miller and Abe Rarick: con- 
stables, John Hall and Joseph Hart; clerk, Melvin Smith: assessor, Jas. S. 
Wilson; trustees, Geo. W. Loan, G, B. DeSellem, A. Oathout. 

Scott.—]. P., J. T. Struble, W. W. Thompson; constables, J. J. Parrott, 
Jr., Geo. Stagg; clerk, A. O. Price; assessor, Thos. B. Allen; trustees, 

A. C. Whitacre, John Paulus, Emory Wescott. 

Sharon Tozvnship. — J. P., T. D. Davis, Geo. W. Wagner; constables, 

B. B. Hughes, E. Stickler; clerk, J. S. Weeber: assessor, G. A. Yoder; 
trustees, Jno. T. Jones, J. Durst, R. Johnson. 

Union Township. — J. P., Jeremiah Nolan, Michael Wagner; constables, 
Louis Rohret, Henry Weeber; clerk, John J. Bradle}'; assessor, Peter 
Rohret; trustees, T. O. Thomas, D. R. Lewis, H. Herring. 

Washington Township. — J. P., Wm. Haines, J. H.McKray; constables, 
John Archer, Wm. Hamilton; clerk, Peter Kettles; assessor, M. Zimmer- 
man: trustees, Wilson Murphy, Isaac Gi-aham, D. F. Rogers. 

COUNTY OFFICERS. 

Auditor, A. Medowell; sheriff, John Coldren; clerk, Stephen Bradley; 
treasurer, Hugh McGovern; recorder, J. J. Hatz; surveyor, Ed, Worden; 
county superintendent, Wilson Blaine; coroner. Will Hohenschuh: board 
of supervisors, Jas. B. Strang, Bruce Patterson, Geo. Ulch, Frank Tan- 
ner, John Doerres; county physician, A. C. Rocke}-; county attorney, 
Samuel H. Fairall. 



Township Histories. 



BIG GROVE TOWNSHIP. 

On April 9, 1845, by the county board it was — 

Ordered, That township No. 81 north, of range No. 6 west, be and the 
same is hereby established as a civil township, in Johnson county, and 
shall be known as "Big Grove township:" That the first election for 
the organization of said township shall be held at the " Big Grove school 
house," in said township, on the first Monday of April, 1846. 

Prior to this date, this territory was included first, in election precinct 
No. 2, and afterward in Big Grove precinct; for we find, January 9,1842, 
it was 

Ordered, That the place of holding elections in the second election pre- 
cinct be removed from the house of Hamilton H. Kerr, to the town of 
Solon in said precinct. 

On April 5, 1843, the above named " second election precinct " was 
first mentioned in the county records as Big Grove precinct, [See chap- 
ter on " Earliest Civil Subdivisions."] 

WHISKY AGENCY IN BIG GROVE. 

On this day, to-wit, April 6, 1857, it is — 

Ordered by the county court, that the agency for the sale of intoxicat- 
ing liquors in the township of Big Grove be and the same is hereby dis- 
continued and suppressed. Whereupon Presley Connelly, the agent, 
made settlement, and it was found that there was a balance in his hands 
of the sum of $153 due the county, which was ordered to be paid into 
the treasury. 

clerk's report. 

M. S. Shircliff', clerk of Solon city, furnishes the following report: 
Big Grove township was organized in 1845. The first board of trus- 
tees were D. D. Smith, Warner Stiles and Warner Spurrier. The first clerk 
was Charles Connelly, and Warner Spurrier was the first assessor. The 
first official meetings were held at Warren Stiles' house. Jesse McGrew 
taught the first school; the first schoolhouse w^as built of logs, and was 
located on Mill creek, about a mile southwest of Solon. The cemetery 
was first used used in 1840, and is yet in use. The first person buried 
there was Oscar Allen. There are eight independent school districts in 
the township, and eight road districts. The present trustees are M. Cor- 
regan, A. W. Benton and Jacob Kessler. Clerk, J. N. Devalt. [1882.] 
There is only one postoflice in the township, that of Solon, of which 
C. G. SwafFord is postmaster since July. Before that Mrs. M. McCune 
held the office. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 693^ 

EARLIEST EVENTS. 

From items furnished mostly by D. A. Pratt, but with some additional 
points by John Lingle, Strawder Devault and other old settlers, we com- 
pile the following record of early events in the settlement of what now 
forms Big Grove township. 

Settler. Year. Section. Where from. 

Robert Mathews 36 England. 

Warren Stiles 1839 26 ... . New York State. 

Jehiel Parks 1839 36 ... . Ohio. 

P. C. Brown 1839 13.... Ohio. 

E. M. and Moses Adams 1839 20 in Cedar twp.— Ohio. 

Abner Arasmith 1839 32 ... . Ohio. 

Harvey Lyman 1840 36 Ohio and New York. 

J. B. McGrew 1839 25 Pennsylvania. 

A. W. Blain 1840 12 Pennsylvania. 

W. D. Canon 1840 Ohio and Conn. 

E. T. Pratt 1840 Ohio and Maine. 

All of the above are furnished by Mr. Pratt. Mr. Lingle adds the fol- 
lowing: 

Charles Fowler 1838 9 . . . . New York. 

W. Fackler 1838 3 . . . . Indiana. 

Warner Spurrier 1838 .... . . 15 . . . . Ohio. 

Charles Connelley 21 

Mr. Devault adds: 

Thomas King 1839 19 Indiana. 

Strawder Devault 1839 19 Indiana. 

Mr Lingle reports the first marriage in the settlement was that of 
Joseph Gros to Elizabeth Goetz, in February, 1841. The second one was 
Wendell Goetz to Miss Katie Ensinger, Sept. 28, 1841, on section four. 

The first baby born was Wilber D. Cannon, son of William D. and 
Julia A. Cannon. [Date not given.] 

Mr. Lingle reports the first death to have been George Fackler, in 
1838 or '39, and buried in the Fackler grove grave yard. The first one 
given by Mr. Pratt was that of Cotton T. Pratt, who died February 15, 
1840 ; buried on section thirty-six. 

The first physician was a Dr. Adams, who spent the winter of 1839-'.40 
with J. B. McGrew. But Dr. James A. Crane was the first one that per- 
manently located here as a physician. [Date not given.] 

The first preaching was in a log cabin on section thirty-five, by a 
Methodist circuit rider named Faree. [No date.] 

Mr. Pratt reports, the first school was taught by Mrs. Fanny Pratt at 
her house on section thirty-one in Cedar township (on line between 
Cedar and Big Grove) in the summer of 1841, charging one dollar per 
44 



694 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

month per pupil. She afterward married Anderson Meacham, and the 
first school house was built by the neighbors clubbing together, in 1842; 
a log house, on the southwest quarter of section twenty-three. 

But Mr. Lingle reports the first school house as built on section 9, by 
Chauncy Fowler, in 1843 or '44. He says it was about fourteen feet 
square — built of round logs : but there was one log left out, and the hole 
was covered with greased paper for a window. There was no floor; and 
a big fireplace at one end, with huge back-log and forestick, and then 
plenty of small wood, served to keep it warm in the coldest days. 

One report says the first weaving of cloth was done by Mr. Valentine 
Fackler; and another says, by Mrs. Fanny Pratt. [No date given in 
either case.] 

Mr. Pratt relates: "We had to go to mill across Cedar river and on to 
near where the town of Tipton, the county seat of Cedar county, now 
stands. In 1840 we paid 50 cents per bushel for corn, and hauled it 25 or 
or 30 miles. But it was harder times afterward, when we had grain to 
sell, for we couldn't get money for it at any price." 

H. H. Kerr built the first house where the town of Solon now stands. 
The house is now [1882] occupied by A. J. Beuter. 

FINE STOCK. 

Charles Pratt, one mile north of Solon, has a herd of thirty-two pure 
bred Short-Horns; he has been engaged about six years in rearing this 
breed of cattle. He also has about 600 head of sheep — supposed to be 
the largest flock now in the county. 

Charles W. McCune commenced in 1876 the breeding of Short-Horn 
cattle. He bought a herd of twenty-five pure bred importd Short-Horns, 
from the well-known Boothe and Bates strains of this favorite English 
breed. The prices he paid for this herd ranged from $150 to $1,400 per 
head. He has made two sales — the first in 1878, when he sold fifty head 
of pure breds; the second, in August, 1880, when he sold sixty head. He 
now [2882] has but nine head left of the imported thorougbreds. 

ORCHARDS. 

Rudolph Stortzer, on section 6, has an orchard of about 500 trees — 
mostly apples of winter varieties. He says the Fulton and Ben Davis 
are the best varieties for this climate. 

Charles Pratt has a fine orchard of about seven acres. 

[See fruit list for Johnson county in chapter on "Agriculture, Horticul- 
ture, etc."] 

ACCIDENTS. 

Peter Stortzer, who lived on section 6, was killed in April, 1864, by a 
harrow faUing on him. He was loading it into a wagon, when by some 
mishap it fell back, knocking him dow^n, and one of the teeth pierced into his 
head just by the ear, from which he died in a very short time. This hap- 
pened but a few rods west of where Rudolph Stortzer now lives. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 695 

August 14:, 1865, Sebastian Heid, son of John Heid, Sr., was walking on 
a board in the saw mill on section 28, when the board tipped and threw 
him across a buzz saw which was in motion. It sawed him completely 
through from one shoulder to the opposite hip, of course killing him 
instantly. 

In the summer of 1862, Dr. Greis, of Solon, saw a storm coming up and 
went out to fix up his rain barrel, when he was struck by lightning and 
instantly killed. 

CREEKS. 

In the early settlement days a Mr. Clarkson fell into an unknown stream- 
He said laughingly that he had been "dipped in Jordan." The joke 
hitched on so well to the disputes about true Bible baptism that it was 
kept agoing; and that stream has been called Jordan creek ever since. 

Mill creek was so called from the first saw mill in the township being 
located on it, in 1839. 

Lingle creek was named after Thomas Lingle, who built a flouring 
mill on this stream in 1840. 

MILLS. 

The first saw mill built in Big Grove township, was by Anthony Sells, 
on section 29, in 1839. It was an upright saw. 

The first flouring mill was built by Thomas Lingle in 1840, on section 
9, on the stream which has ever since been known as Linorle creek. This 
mill was built of hewed logs, sixteen feet square and two stories high. 
The burrs were made of "niggar head" stones and found here on the 
prairies; they ground corn, wheal, and buckwheat, which were all sifted 
in the same bolt. The people for twenty miles around flocked here to 
get grinding done. The Lingle mill kept running for eight or nine years. 
There is now a small mill at the same place, owned by F. Riddle, a 
Bohemian gentleman, and is known as the "Bohemian Mill." 

There is a stone quarry on section 35, on the old Joseph Beuter farm, 
which has been worked more than thirty years. Mr. Beuter quarried 
stone there before his death, and also burned lime there. The rock burns 
into excellent lime, and also furnishes good stone for building purposes. 

There are several smaller quarries along the bluffs. 

There are three or four ancient mounds on the northwest quarter of 
section 27. There are from four to five feet high, about thirty feet across, 
and have trees fourteen inches thick growing on them. They lie along 
the backbone of the divide in a southeast direction, about a hundred feet 
apart. 

Mr. Rudolph Stortzer, now living on section 6, an old and successful 
hunter, one day shot a female deer that had a horn about a foot long, with 
four prongs on one side of her head — the only instance he ever heard of 
where a doe had horns. 

Mrs. Anastasia Beuter, a lady eighty years old and now living on sec- 



696 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

tion 35, has a powder horn which is. marked thus: "Made by James 
Taylor, September 27, 1857, at Fort Edward." The inscription is cut 
into the horn in large plains letters, besides several fancy and ornamental 
figures. This relic has been in the family a great many years. 

The oldest person in Big Grove township is Christian Hess, who was 
born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in September, 1800, and came to 
Iowa in 1868. He was Hving and enjoying good health in September, 
1882. 

Jacob F. Gobin, now living on section 13, started the first drug store in 
Johnson county, at Iowa City, in 1841. 

ALPHONSO B. NEWCOMB 

was born at Enfield, Connecticut, April 10, 1805. His grandfather was a 
physician in that place, and married the daughter of Gov. Terry of Con- 
necticut. His father moved to the vicinity of Rochester, N. Y., when 
Alphonso was but a child, and after serving as a lieutenant-colonel in the 
war of 1812, and while holding the office of custom-house officer at the 
mouth of the Genessee river, died when the subject of this sketch was 
about ten years of age, leaving the family dependent upon their own 
exertions. 

Alphonso began the battle of life as cabin boy on a lake steamer, and 
gradually worked his way up the rounds of sailor life. But when com- 
paratively a young man he left the lakes and engaged in the mercantile 
business in Pontiac, Michigan. He was then connected with the Hud- 
son's Bay Fur Co., and traveled extensively through the great Northwest, 
then uninhabited save by wild animals and the yet wilder red men. 

He came to Iowa City in 1841, and was the builder of the dam, and'one 
one of the owners of the flouring-mills first erected where Coralville now 
stands. 

During the "gold fever " of 1850 he was one of the bold " Argonauts " 
who undertook the long and perilous journey " across the plains," leaving 
Iowa City on the 15th of April, 1840. Accompanied by his wife and lit- 
tle daughter, he began his pilgrimage toward the setting sun. The 
adventurous journey was accomplished with their slow-moving oxen in 
about five months. He went to Butte county, California, and for nine 
years divided his time between mining, lumbering, and selling goods. 
He was the first postmaster at Bidwell's Bar, the town at which he was 
located, and erected extensive saw-mills at Berry Creek, seven miles from 
that place. At the end of nine years, having met with varying fortune, 
and his health beginning to fail, he returned to " the states " b}^ the way 
of South America, in which country he spent some time. Landing at 
New York, he made a short tour through several of the eastern states, 
but finally came back to Iowa City. He remained there but a short time 
and then moved to a farm twelve miles north of that place, upon which he 
lived quietly for sixteen years. At the end of that time he sold his farm 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 697 

and moved to the neighboring village of Solon, where he spent the 
remaining six years of his life. He died of heart disease on the 9th of June, 
1882, after an illness of two weeks, at the ripe age of 77 years. 

THE TOWN OF SOLON. 

The Solon Reaper, of date July 28, 1882, published a sketch of the vil- 
lage history, from which we glean a few points: 

The founder of Solon, as far as information can be ascertained, is one 
John West, who it is said laid out the first town proper of Solon in the 
year 1842.* The same became vacated for some reason or other in 1847. 
In the year 1850, H. H. Kerr and P. B. Anders resurrected the vacated 
town proper and laid out in lots the town of Solon the second time. 

John Brakel was the first who started in business here, opening a black- 
smith shop in the year 1843, and continuing the same many years. P. B. 
Anders opened in the same line in 1848. The first hotel, or rather an 
inn, was put up by George Gruel in 1850. 

In the year 1870, the citizens of Solon were made happy by the news 
of the approach of the iron horse, from Burlington north, through here, 
and great joy and enthusiasm prevailed. 

Since the construction of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern rail- 
way, the town remained quiet, people came and went, and nothing of 
much importance happened until the year 1877, when the town was incor- 
porated and made its own laws for its citizens to abide by. 

The first meeting of the officers of the incorporated town was held July 
2, 1877, which consisted of the following: 

Mayor, A. B. Newcomb. 

Councilmen, P. N. Connelly, D. R. Randall, John Hess, Geo. Mattas, 
R. C. Caldwell. 

Recorder, Wm. Buchanan. 

Marshal, F. A. Heinsius. 

The officers elected in March, 1882, were: 

Mayor, A. P. Walker. 

Trustees, D. A. Pratt, Geo. Corrigan, D. R. Randall, J. H. Fisher, W. 
A. Palmer, A. C.Swafford. 

Marshal, Jos. Pitlik. 

Recorder, M. S. Shircliff. 

BUSINESS DIRECTORY OF SOLON. 

L. M. Lawyer, dry goods and groceries. 

Shirclifl^" & Fisher, dry goods and groceries. 

Swafford Bros., dry goods and groceries. 

A. Serovy, dry goods and groceries. 

W. T. Pratt, dry goods and millinery. 

W. T. Pratt, hardware and drugs. 

Otto Heinsius, drugs. 

A. Serovy, City Hotel. 

Mrs. C Palmer, Palmer House. 

Joseph Pauba, dealer in implements and grain buyer. 

Joseph Pitlik, harness. 

Jacob Pauba, Solon mills. 



*Mr. Kerr says it was on the 25th, 26th and 27th of October, 1840 (not '43), that he and 
West first platted and staked off the town. 



698 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Phillip Duel, furniture. 
E. M. Burj^ess, physician. 
J. S. Grain, physician. 
Otto Heinsius, physician. 
E. M. Rogers, physician. 
D. A. Pratt, lumber dealer. 
G. A. Mattas, lumber dealer. 
Joseph Payn, restaurant. 

C. H. Palmer, livery. 
Caldwell & Pratt, livery. 
A. C. Swafford, lawyer. 
T. C. Brockel, blacksmith. 
W. Jedlcika, blacksmith. 
John R. Hess, wagon-maker. 

D. M. Rogers, confectionery and books. 
Catholic Church. 

M. E. Church. 

German Evangelical Church. 

John Egermeyer, meat market. 

Joseph Wlach, meat market. 

Kucera & Zajicek, shoemakers. 

Fisher & Beck, Solon brewery. 

John Kurtz, saloon. 

Joseph Wlach, saloon. 

John Egermeyer, saloon. 

Frank Veshek, saloon. 

Mrs. T. Kintz, saloon. 

THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

Solon is especially proud of her graded schools, in the higher depart- 
ment of which Latin is taught, as preparatory for entering the State Uni- 
versity. It is reported that the first school house in the town of Solon 
was built by or known as the C. H. Palmer school house. (No date 
given.) In 1879 the corporation built a fine two-story frame school house, 
with a tower — four rooms, and seating capacity for 500 (?); cost :p3,400. 
The. graded school was organized in November, 1878. 

The first school board consisted of the following gentlemen: Secretary, 
A.J. Beuter; treasurer, L. M. Lawyer; directors, D. A. Pratt, P. B. 
Anders, and W. E. Kester. 

The first teachers in the graded school were four in number, as follows: 

W. H. Martin, principal. 

Miss Lillie Harvey, assistant principal. 

Miss Minnie Sterrett, intermediate. 

Miss Annie Nedobety, primary. 

The number of pupils enrolled was 200, the actual full attendance 
was 165. 

The present officers of the school board are as follows: 

D. A. Pratt, president; F. J. Wertner, secretary; Chas. Pratt; L. M. 
Lawyer, treasurer. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 699 

The present board of teachers are, for 1882-83: 

A. B. Sargent, principal. 

Miss Emma J. Vandenbury, grammar department. 

Miss Edith H. McDonnell, intermediate department. 

Miss Laura M. Connelly, primary department. 

The teachers and pupils have commenced and made good progress 
toward establishing a school library. 

The people were so proud of their new school that in 1879 they had a 
nice pamphlet printed, containing the officers' and teachers' names, the 
rules adopted, the school calendar, the schedule of studies, etc., all in 
high-toned city style. 

CHURCHES. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Solon was organized about 1840. 
Tie original members were: Warren Spurrier and wife, W. D. Cannon 
and wife, Mrs. Fannie Pratt, J. B. McGroove, Father H. Lyman and 
wife, Mrs. Eleanor Pryce, John West and wife, Mary Lyon, and a few 
others. In 1855 Mr. Paul B. Anders gave two lots and twenty dollars 
toward building a church, and that year a frame church was erected; 
this old building is now used as a barn by William Pratt. In 1879 the 
present church was erected. This commodious structure is also a frame* 
38x50 feet, and cost about $2,800. It was dedicated December 21, 1879' 
by Rev. Frank Baxton, Rev. J. T. Crippen and Dr. Miller, presiding, 
elder. The following have been its pastors: Revs. Free, Briar, Bush- 
nell, Kendig, Brown, Critchfield, Taylor, Black, Lanton, Hankins, Skin- 
ner, Young, Dimmitt, Johnson, Ward, Kynett, Hokyn, Miller, Haskin 
Moore, Hammond, Snider, Younkin, and Bradford, the present pastor 
Solon was first supplied as a mission on Cedar Rapids circuit. It was 
afterward connected with Iowa City circuit, and was served in this way 
from 1840 to 1855, when the first church was built. The present mem- 
bership is fifty. 

St. Mary's Catholic Chtirch of Solon was organized in 1850. The 
original members were E. McDonnell, A. Walter, Joseph Beuter, A.* 
Stehle, Jacob Stehle and Fidel Kessler. The first building was a frame, 
and was built by Father Emonds in 1858. The present church was 
erected in 1875; this is a brick and cost $5,000; it was dedicated in May, 
1882, by Bishop McMullen, of Davenport. Its pastors have been. Father 
Emonds, Father Spochek, Father John, Father Schmeller, and Father 
John, the present pastor. There is a burying ground connected with the 
church. 

St. yohii's Evanorelical Lutheran Church was organized in 1856. The 
original members were, George, Jane, Elias and M. A. Stream, John 
Mahring and Doretha Mahring. They have a frame church, situated on 
section 5, Big Grove township, erected in 1858 and '59, at a cost of $800, 
and was dedicated January 1, 1860, by J. G. Shaffer. Its pastors have 



700 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

been, Rev. C. Baird, Jesse Halstead, R. C. Baird, A. M. Tanner, Wm. 
Leslie, Rev. Settlemeyer, B. F. Mills, S. Knight, and J. K. Bloom. The 
present membership is twenty-three. Of the original members John 
Mahring is the only one now living. The land for the church was given 
by Christopher Fuhrmeister. There is a flourishing Sunday school con- 
nected with the church of about seventy-five scholars; Mr. Henry Fuhr- 
meister is superintendent. 

The German Lutheran Zion Church oi Solon, was organized in 1876. 
The original members were Henry Hertz and wife, John Brackel and 
wife, John Huber and wife, Christian Shoup and wife, Jacob Rohring and 
Miss Myers. They • first met in the school house in district No. 2, and 
afterwards held meetings in the school house in Solon, and then in the 
Presbyterian Church until July, 1882, when their new church building was 
completed. This is a neat frame structure and cost about $1,000. It was 
dedicated by Rev. O. Hartman, of Iowa City, assisted by Rev. Ide, Rev. 
Blessin and Rev. Mordorf. Its pastors have been Rev. Herlein, Rev. Ide, 
and Rev. Hartman, the present pastor. Present membership eight fami- 
lies, or about forty members. 

The Presbyterian Church in Solon was 'built in 1867, at a cost of 
$3,600, and was dedicated in 1868. But since that time most of the mem- 
bers have moved away, and meetings are not kept up. 

CEMETERY. 

The present cemetery was first laid out some time in ISlo or '46, by D. 
D. Smith, on section 23, and Warren Spurrier's son was the first person 
buried in the new graveyard. Cotton E. Pratt, who died February 15, 
1840, on section 36, and was buried on section 3, in Cedar township; was 
taken up and removed to the new ground. Also, John E. Adams, who 
died later in the same year as Pratt, and was buried at the same place; 
was removed to the new bur3ang ground. In 1872 a company consisting 
of E. A. Brown, J. G. Brown, Eben Adams, Moses Adams, Charles Pratt 
and Charles W. McCune, bought five acres of land adjoining, and incor- 
porated the " Oakland Cemetery." It now contains six acres, on a rise of 
ground one mile northwest from Solon. 

On section three there is what is called the Fackler's Grove burying 
ground, containing about one acre. George Fackler was the first person 
buried there. 

LODGES. 

Wayfaring Lodge JVo. j8j, A. K. and A. J/"., was instituted by dispen- 
sation, June 17, 1868, date of charter, June 7, 187!>. The charter mem- 
bers and first officers were: E. M. Burgess, W. M.; I. B. Grant, S. W.; 
A. Medowell, J. W.; R. A. Keen. Sec'y.; R. P. Mulock, Treas.; John 
Chisman, R. C. Caldwell, A. O.Lake and Chas. W. McCune. The 
charter was surrendered in 1880, the Lodge not being able to secure a 
suitable hall by renting, and not strong enough to build one. 



\ 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 701 

THE SOLON MILLS. 

The flouring and saw mill at Solon, was built in 1873, by Akerly & 
Carney. They failed, and it fell into thands of the Solon Mill Company, 
consisting of L. M. Lawyer, E. M. Adams, C. W. McCune and Charles 
Pratt. They increased it to three run of burrs; and sold it June 2, 1881, to 
Jacob Panba, who still owns it, and is doing a good business. 

L. M. Lawyer served as post master of Solon for twelve years. 

CREAMERY. 

The Solon J^eaper, oi ]u\y 28, 1882, published the following statements: 
The Solon Creamery, Fisher & Beck, proprietors, was built Oct., 1880. 
The whole building is 2,106 square feet, and is divided into departments 
as follows: The cheese, 26x31 feet; creamery, 22x30 feet; ice house, 
20x24 feet; and the engine room, 10x16 feet. The capacity is from 800 
to 1,000 lbs. per day, but at present only making about 250 lbs. per day, 
the season being very backward with them as well as with others. The 
number of pounds of butter made the first year reached 18,000, and this 
year they expect it will reach between 40,000 and .50,000. This creamery 
is fitted up with all the modern improvements, and run b}^ steam. 



CEDAR TOWNSHIP. 

January 7th, 1846, on the petition of the inhabitants of township No. 
81 north, of range No. 5 west, of the 5th principal meridian, praying for 
township organization, etc., it is 

" Ordered, that all that part of Johnson county known as congressional 
township No. 81 north, of range 5 west, of the 5th principal meridian, be 
and the same is hereb}^ organized into a civil township, to be known by 
the name of 'Cedar township,' and that the first election shall be held at 
the house of Philo Haynes, in said township." 

Mr. John L. Adams, the township clerk, reports that the township now 
contains nine independent school districts. The equalized value of real 
estate for 1881 was $9.55 per acre. The personalty was $58,273. Road 
tax levy, 2 mills; total road tax, $551.97. There are ten road districts. 

The township officers in 1882 were: Trustees, J. M. Douglass, John E. 
Adams, D. Maloney; assessor, W.J. McCune; clerk, John L. Adams. 

EARLY EVENTS. 

Reports were furnished by Moses Adams, John McCune, James 
Buchanan and E. A. Brown, from which we gather the following points 
of pioneer history : 

James Buchanan settled here on section 24, in April, 1838. He came 
here from Cedar county, Iowa, but was originally from Cleveland, Ohio. 

A. C. Sutliff came here in September, 1838, took his claim, made some 
hay, and then went back east; but returned and settled here in January, 
1839. He was from Trumbull county, Ohio. 

Thomas Prague settled on section 22, in 1838. He was from Pennsyl- 
vania. 



702 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Isaac Dennis, 1838, on section 23. 

Joshua King, spring of 1838, on section 2 or 4; he was from Indiana. 

Jesse B. McGrew, in 1838. 

Mathew Cavanagh and a man named Pendleton are reported as coming 
in 1838. 

E. A. Brown came March 6, 1839, and settled on section 31 ; he came 
here from Warren county, Illinois, but was originally from New York 
state. 

Moses Adams, from Ohio, settled on section 20, in July, 1839. 

The first baby born in the new settlement was Jesse B. SutlifF, born 
December 22, 1839, child of Allen C. and Nancy Sutlift: 

The first marriage was that of Eben M. Adams to Miss Henrietta 
Lyons, on March 9th, 1840, at Mrs. Lyons' house on section 31, where 
Mr. Adams now lives (1882.) 

The first death was Thomas Prague, in 1838 or '39; he was buried on 
section 23. 

The first physician was Dr. Joseph Adams, from Maine, who was here 
in February, 1840, but did not stay. Dr. Jesse Bowen, of Iowa City 
did most of the early doctoring in this settlement. 

The first preacher was Rev. Uriah Free, a Methodist circuit rider, in 
1839. In 1842 or 1843 a Congregationalist missionary named Aldin, from 
Connecticut, preached at Harry Sutliff's house. 

The first school was taught by Daniel F. McCune, in a log school 
house, on section 3, near A. C. Sutlift^'s place, on the line between sections 
Sand ]0. The house was built by the neighbors clubbing together, in 
the winter of 1844-.5. It was of hewed logs; had slab benches, and a big 
open fireplace. Mr. McCune had sixteen or eighteen scholars, and 
received $10 per month. He died in Solon. 

The first weaving in the neighborhood was done by Mrs. Samuel Trot- 
ter, on section 16. No date. 

The county board appointed the first Cedar township election to be at 
the house of Philo Haynes, in the spring of 1846. But Moses Adams 
reports that the first election was at Thomas Prague's house, though no 
date is given. 

Moses Adams was the man who got the first grist of wheat that ever 
was ground in Johnson county. This was in the fall of 1839, at Switzer's 
mill, on Clear Creek. The flour was not bolted. 

The people of this settlement went mostly to Davenport instead of 
Muscatine for their store trade and river business, before Iowa City began 
to be a trading place. 

There is no post-office in Cedar township now, 1882. 

FERRY, MILL, ETC. 

The ferry across Cedar river was established by A. C. SutHfF, in 1841. 
Stone to build the first capitol of Iowa (now the central building of the 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 703 

State University group), was crossed on this ferry, and hauled to Iowa 
City by ox teams. A ferry boat has been maintained here ever since 
started by Mr. Sutlifi'. It is now owned and run by James McClellan. 

A saw mill was built on section -23, about 1846, by Philo Haynes, and 
was kept up ten or twelve years. 

Moses Adams relates that in 1843 the ice on Cedar river was so thick 
and solid that people crossed on it freely and safely as late in the spring as 
the 7th day of April. 

In 1851 A. Heller was drowned in Cedar river, on section 23, while fish- 
ing with a seine. 

CHURCHES. 

SL Peter and St. Paul CCitholic Church (Bohemian), of Cedar town- 
ship, was organized November, 1861. The original members were John 
Brush, James Ulch, John Ilik, Sr., John Fiala, Sr., Anton Dvorak, Frank 
Svejkovsky, Joseph Drable and Albert Maly, Sr. They have a stone 
church, erected in 1866, at a cost of $1,300. It was dedicated by Father 
Urban. Its pastors have been Father Anton Urban, Father Frank 
Chmelar and Father John Zlpeik. The present membership is 70. [No 
other particulars furnished.] 

The Catholic Church (Irish), of Cedar township, was organized in 1863. 
The original members were Mathias Canfield, Thomas Noland, Patrick 
Larkin, James Brennen, John Peters, Michael Donahue, Michael Beecher, 
Patrick Beecher, James Beecher, D. Mahony, Thomas Ryan, Michael 
Harty, Thomas Butler, Thomas Wall, James Cahen and others. Their 
first frame church building was erected in 1863, and was dediceted by 
Father Emonds of Iowa City; the present building was erected in 1868, 
at a cost ot $1,800, without seating; this is also a frame, and was dedica- 
ted by Father McCabe, of Wilton. Its pastors have been Father Emonds,. 
Father Quigley, Father Welch, Father McCabe, Father Downey, Father 
Sullivan, Father McCabe, of Mechanics ville, Father O'Riley and Father 
Burke, the present priest. There are forty acres belonging to the church 
which was bought by the original members. They have a burying 
ground of about two acres. 

BURYING GROUND. 

There is a grave yard comprising one acre, on section 10, on the SutM 
farm. The first person buried here was Mrs. Ruth Sutlifi; who died 
August 7, 1843. Samuel H. Sutliff died September 30, 1843, and was 
the second burial here. 

FINE STOCK. 

J. G. Bowen and sons, on section 33, are extensively engaged in rais- 
ing thoroughbred Short-horn cattle. They commenced in June, 1878, 
with a few choice animals; and now, September, 1882, their herd num- 
bers seventy-five thoroughbreds, and 130 grades. Their herd is headed 
by Constance Airdrie, No. 25,998, and Constance Waterloo, No. 38,044, 



704 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

of the American Herd Book. Their farm, called "Cedar Park," contains 
900 hundred acres, and is one of the hest stock farms in this part of Iowa. 

John E. Adams, on section 32, has a herd of nine thoroughbred Short- 
horns— all recorded animals. 

John P. McCune, on section 9, commenced in 1875 to breed Short-horns, 
and now has a herd of forty thoroughbreds- — ^all recorded stock. 

Shee^. — Samuel Spurrier, on section 19, is making a specialty of sheep 
raising, and has 450 head of medium grades. 

Bees. — ^J. M. Adams, on section 22, has 140 swarms of bees — the native 
black and Italian bees interbred. He says white clover is the main honey 
feed with him, and that the bees will make about fifty pounds of honey 
to each hive during the season, besides enough for their own winter sup- 
ply. He uses the Langstroth hive — thinks it the best. 



CLEAR CREEK TOWNSHIP. 

By an order of the county board, iVpril 8, 1841, all of Johnson county 
west and south of the Iowa river was made election precinct No. 3, or 
Clear Creek. The first election was to be at the house of John Hawkins, 
on Clear Creek; and David Switzer, Jesse McCart and Nathaniel Fellows, 
were appointed as judges. (See Chapter I, Part 2, of the County History.) 

February 10, 1846, it was by the county board, 

Ordered, that all that part of Johnson county contained in the following 
bounds, to-wit: Commencing at the northwest corner of township 79 
north, range 6 west, thence north two miles, thence west one mile, thence 
north one mile, thence west to the west line of township 80, range 7 west, 
thence north to the northwest corner of said township 80, range 7, thence 
west to the county line, thence south to the center of township 79 north, 
range 8 west, thence east to the west line of township 79, range 6, thence 
north to place of beginning, be and the same is hereby set apart as a civil 
township and shall be known as "Clear Creek Township," and that the 
first election shall be held at the house ot Bryan Dennis in said township. 

The above boundaries included the north half of what is now Hardin 
township, the two north tiers of sections of Union township, and all of 
Oxford except the narrow strip between the Iowa river and the north line 
of town 80. The changes of boundaries which reduced Clear Creek 
township to its present size and shape will be found in the histories of the 
several townships originally included as above. 

TOWNSHIP MATTERS. 

Clear Creek precinct took its name from Clear Creek — called in the 
Indian tongue Cafl-haniinct^ clear water, — a beautiful stream taking its 
rise in Iowa county and dividing this township in two parts in very nearly 
the middle. Clear Creek precinct included all of present Clear Creek 
township, all of Penn township, all of Madison and Oxford townships, all 
west of present township line to county line, all south to the congressional 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 705 

township line; and yet the voters who assembled at the first township 
meeting held at the house of Bryan Dennis, numbered not more than 
twenty. Here are two papers yellow with age out of a bundle of like 
sort preserved by B, Dennis. One is of interest as supposed to be the last 
"precinct" election notice; the other, the election notice on the license 
question, which then, as now created no little excitement and ill-feeling. 

Territory of Iowa, ( Board of Commissioners' Office^ 
Johnson County. \ Ji^^y Session, 184.^. 

Ordered, that John Conn, John Keeler and Bryan Dennis, be and hereby 
are appointed judges of elections for Clear Creek precinct for the ensuing 
year. A true copy. 

Attest: Stephen B. Gardener, Clerk B. C. 

April Election. — Notice is hereby given that on the first Monday, 
the 3d day of April next, an election will be held at the house of Bryan 
Dennis, Clear Creek township, Johnson county. State of Iowa, for the 
purpose of electing one Superintendent of Public Instruction, for said state, 
one School Fund Commissioner, for said county: A vote will also be 
taken for and against Grocery License — which election will be opened at 
nine o'clock a. m., and continue open until six o'clock p. m. of the same 
day. Iowa City, February 13, 1848. 

Stephen Gardener, Clerk B. C. C. J. C. 

Its first board of trustees were, Archibald Gilliland, Ebenezer Doug- 
lass and H. H. Winchester; first clerk, Bryan Dennis; first assessor, 
Almon H. Humphry. The official meetings of the board were held at 
Bryan Dennis' residence. So also were public meetings of all sorts; like- 
wise public elections or discussions. 

CLEAR creek TOWNSHIp's NEW BOUNDARY. 

On the petition of citizens of Clear Creek township, filed July 6, 1857, 
it is — 

Ordered by the county court, that the boundaries of Clear Creek town- 
ship be as follows: Commencing at the southeast corner of section 1, 
township 79 north, range 7 west, thence north on the range line to the 
northeast corner of section 25, township 80, range 7, thence west one mile 
to the northwest corner of section 25, thence north one mile to the section 
line, thence west on the section line to the northwest corner of section 19, 
township 80, range 7, thence south along the range line to the southwest 
corner of section 6, township 79 north, range 7, thence east along the 
section line to the place of beginning. 

SCHOOLS, valuations, ROADS, ETC. 

There is but one district township in this township and six sub-districts. 

The school tax last year for all purposes, teachers' fund, contingent, and 
school house, was $1,923. 

The school-house of sub-district No. 3 was burned in 1882. Supposed 
origin of fire was the stove falling apart. It was an old stove, used since 
the house was first built, and long since condemned as unsafe. The school 
house has been rebuilt the present summer (1882), but is not nearly as 
large or good a building as its predecessor. A mistaken idea of economy 



706 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

in the school board has caused the house to be built on reduced scale, but 
it can probably be ^ot along with for several years. The burned build- 
ing was built many years ago on land near Mr. A. J. Bond's residence, 
but as it was somewhat to one side of the sub-district was a cause of some 
sharp discussions until it was removed to the site where it was burned, 
thoroughly overhauled and repaired, and was considered the best school- 
house in the township. 

The equalized value of the real estate in the township was, last year, 
[1881], $148,951. The personalty, $40,101. 

The township is divided into nine road districts, which, like all others in 
Iowa, are indifferently worked under the present utterly inefficient road 
laws. The levied rate of road tax was four mills to the dollar; insufficient 
for a township so cut up with creeks as to require double the road work 
of a township otherwise irrigated. The total amount of road tax is 
$756.20. 

The whole amount of township tax for all purposes $2,679.20. 

The present officers of the township are Jno. D. Colany, clerk; S.J. 
Pleymesser, assessor; J. C. Hamilton, Chas. Slaght, G. W. Watson 
trustees. 

THE TOWN OF TIFFIN. 

The C, R. I. & P. R. R., was completed in 1860, but was of little prac- 
tical benefit to the township, although passengers were let on and oft' trains 
at Copi, the township post-office, until Tiffin was laid out as a town. 

The land on which the town is situated was a part of the farm belong- 
ing to Rolla Johnson, Esq., who named the town Tiffin, after Tiffin, O., 
the city from which Mr. J. originally hailed. Mr. Johnson about this 
time sold his farm, and Tiffin interests passed into other hands. 

By Tiffin, the country for five miles radiating in any given direction 
is supposed to be meant, as the farmers included in this circle deal largely 
here; attend one of the two churches, and form a community which for 
social good qualities, superior culture, and general intelligence, is seldom 
surpassed in country neighborhoods. Tiffin proper contains about 50 
souls for its eniire population. Has one dry goods and grocery store, R. 
Morse proprietor. 

Tiffin contains hotel accommodations at the Beam House. Messrs. 
Chas. Hubner and Antoine Colby are the village blacksmiths. Dr. Steele 
has here his oftice, and dispenses drugs and medicines. 

Mr. J. K. Snyder, carpenter, is also engaged in bee keeping. He 
commenced this year (1882"), with forty swarms; has doubled their num- 
ber, and secured thus far over 3,000 pounds of strained honey, besides 
large quantities of honey in boxes. During the wet weather of the past 
spring, he purchased buckwheat and gave to farmers to plant on ground 
that had been inundated till the corn was killed, and is now (September) 
reaping his harvest of buckwheat honey. 



HISTORV OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 707 

Mr. RoUa Johnson, near Tiffin, is also a large bee keeper, with consid- 
erable success. Also, Mr. S. J. Plymesser, Ed. Craig, J. R. Willis and 
others have kept a large number of swarms for family use, and generally 
have more than they can use. Mr. Craig has taken several premiums at 
county fairs on honey. 

The largest business done in Tiffin is the lumber and grain business of 
Plymesser & Douglass, and the stock business of Wm. Wolfe. 

Tiffin is the only post-office in Clear creek township, and Bryan Dennis 
is the postmaster. 

The Christian Chapel is located in a beautiful grove in Tiffin. The 
Grace Methodist Episcopal Church is on the state road, a few rods north 
of the town. 



FREMONT TOWNSHIP. 

In all the county records from 1838 till 1882 we could not find anything 
to show when Fremont township was organized, or received its name and 
boundaries, and first order for a township election. The present town- 
ship clerk of Fremont reported it organized in 1857, but we could find no 
record to vouch for it. However, like Pinkerton's detectives, the very 
name "Fremont," gave us a clue, and we followed it. In 1856 Gen. John 
C. Fremont was the first republican candidate for president. On hunting 
up the presidential vote of that year we found that Pleasant Valley town- 
ship (which then included the territory now called Fremont) gave the 
following vote: For Fremont, (republican) 8-t; for Buchanan, (democrat) 
60; for Fillmore, (whig) 4. This was in November, 1856, and the returns 
from Johnson county did not show any township or precinct named Fre- 
mont — but by its remarkable majority for Fremont in that historic elec- 
tion the township had named itself; for we found at the next election, held 
April 6, 1857, that "Fremont" was in the list of townships for the first 
time, and it cast 47 votes in favor and 6 against Johnson county subscrib- 
ing $175,000 to the capital stock of the "Iowa Union Railroad Company." 
This shows that the township clerk, Mr. G. W. Hensley, is probably 
correct, notwithstanding the deficiency of the county record. And com- 
bining his report with the facts presented by the election statistics of 1856 
and 1857, it is safe to say that Fremont township was organized, or held 
its first election, April 6, 1857. Pleasant Valley was organized as an 
election precinct July 8, 1845, and as a civil township February 10, 1846; 
and it included the territory now called Fremont township. 

June 8th, 10th and 11th, 1870, Lincoln township was organized out of 
what was then Pleasant Valley township, and the boundaries given show 
that Fremont was not then included in Pleasant Valley. So the only 
thing that can be proved by the county records is, that in 1856 Pleasant 
Valley township <i?V/ include what is now Fremont, and in 1870, it did not. 

The following order was made April 8, 1843, for what was called Road 



708 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

District No. 1, but in April, 1844:, the road districts were revised, and this 
same described territory was called No. 15. It comprised all of what is 
now Fremont, Lincoln, and Pleasant Valley townships, and the two south 
tiers of sections in Scott and Lucas (east precinct) townships: 

Ordered^ That all that part of Johnson county lying east of the Iowa 
river and south of the line dividing sections 22 and 27, 23 and 26, 24 and 
25, in township 79 north, range 6 west, of the 5th P. M., shall hereafter 
constitute and form Road District No. 15, in said county, and that Robert 
Walker be appointed supervisor until April, 1845. 

[John I. Burge was supervisor the previous year.] 

JOHNSON county's THUMB. 

The State of Iowa has a " teat " where her milk runs out at the mouth 
of the Des Moines river. In like manner Johnson county has a thumb, 
where Fremont township projects six miles south of the remainder of the 
county line. Ranges 5, 6, 7, and 8 of township 77 originally belonged to 
Johnson county, and Slaughter county lay next south, but on January 25, 
1839, the name of Slaughter county was changed to Washington, and 
three entire congressional townships, to^wit: Ranges 6, 7, and 8, of 
township 77, were taken from Johnson county and joined to Washington 
county. This left a little strip of land about a mile wide on the east side 
the Iowa river as belonging to Washington county. But in 1845 this frac- 
tional strip of range 6, township 77, was rejoined to Johnson county, and 
became a part of Fremont township. And that is the way Johnson county 
came to have her thumb. 

TOWNSHIP clerk's REPORT — 1882. 

G. W. Hensley, Esq., clerk of Fremont township, reports the following 
items, mostly furnished him by Richard Huskins: 

The township was organized in 1857. The first board of trustees were 
Geo. Walker, James Magruder, and John McDonald. Col. James B. 
Conway was the first clerk, and Charles Calvert first assessor. The first 
school-house was built at Palestine by John Porter, C. M. Holland, and 
other citizens, and was known as Palestine School-house. 

The township constitutes one school district, with ten sub-districts. 
The school-tax in 1881 for all purposes, teachers' fund, contingent, and 
school-house, was, teachers' fund, $2,800; contingent, $700; school-house, 
$800. The equalized value of real estate in 1881 was, $234,909; the per- 
sonal property, $60,624. The township is divided into nine road districts. 
The levied rate of road-tax in 1881 was 4 mills on the dollar. The total 
amount of road tax was $1,558.48. The present trustees are Wm. 
Sweet, Dennis Carey, and F. T. Carl. 

Fremont township has three post-offices now (1882), as follows: 

Lone Tree — A. W. Leonard, postmaster. 

River Junction — ^J. D. Musser, postmaster. 

Shoo Fly — John Henry, postmaster. 



i 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 70^ 

THE TOWN OF LONE TREE, 

was laid out in the fall of 1872, by John W. Jayne. Wm. H. Jayne, 
then of New York, owning the land; but before any deeds were made 
out, John W. Jayne bought the land adjoining and including the town plat. 
The lots were then sold with the express understanding in the deed that 
no intoxicating liquors should be sold on the premises forever. The fol- 
lowing extract from the original bond for a deed shows the nature of the 
provisions: 

Said first party hereby undertakes and agrees to give to said second 
party, or his assigns, a deed of general warranty, subject only to the 
reservation as to taxes accruing after this date and the special conditions 
and reservations following, viz: The traffic in intoxicating drinks on the 
said premises is to be and is hereby entirely forbidden and prohibited for- 
ever, and should the said second parly, his heirs and assigns at any time 
use, or knowingly permit the use of said premises for the establishment or 
maintenance thereon of any drinking saloon, tippHng house, or other 
place or establishment where intoxicating drinks shall be sold or given 
away, to be used either on said premises or elsewhere, (and it is expressly 
understood that the term intoxicating drinks, as herein used, includes 
spirituous and malt liquors, wine and cider, as well as any and every 
other kmd of liquor whereby intoxication may be produced,) then, and in 
that case, the said premises shall revert to said first parties, their heirs and. 
assigns; and they may bring an action and recover possession of the same " 
K 11 u '^ u^ tf^'pressly understood that possession under this agreement 
shall be subject to the before mentioned conditions, reservations and restric- 
tions to the same extent as though the said second party were holdinp- 
under a deed executed as above. 

This has been strictly carried out in the original plat, but east of the 
section line there has been land sold without these restrictions. But now 
the same doctrine of liquor prohibition is incorporated in the constitution, 
for the whole State, and so Jayne's soul is marching on. The town has 
270 inhabitants, and is a very pleasant village, nicely situated on the B., 
C. R. & N. R. R. In 1880 there were shipped from this point 430 car 
loads of corn, 27 of potatoes, 75 of oats, 15 of rye, 6 of barley, 61 of hogs, 
3 of cattle, 4 of wheat, and 1 of onions; total, 622. 

In 1881 the shipments were as follows: Corn 284 carloads, oats 82, rye 
14, wheat 1, barley 8, hogs 58, cattle 8, horses 1, potatoes 2; total, 458. 
There is a good elevator owned by Lane Bro's. 

The town has a fine school building, which was erected during the sum- 
mer of 1877, at a cost of about $1,800, besides the seating. The upper 
room is used for township purposes. Lone Tree has four churches, 
Methodist, Baptist, Reform, and Catholic. 

LONE TREE CEMETERY, 

on section 10 was first used bv George Amlong as a family burying 
ground. In 1875 Messrs. J. W. and H. D. Jayne bought one acre, and in 
May, 1876, completed a cemetery organization by a stock company to pay 
45 



710 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

for land and improvements, and the sale of lots to be devoted to the 
improvement and ornamenting of the same. 

BUSINESS DIRECTORY OF LONE TREE. 

M. Baker, dry goods, groceries and drugs. 
M. R. Hill & Son, dry goods and groceries. 
J. M. Lee, dry goods and groceries. 
Leonard & Owens, groceries. 
J.C. Weiser, hardware. 
Richard Haskins, groceries. 
Wm. H.Nell, hotel. 
Lane Bro's., grain and stock buyers. 
A. H. Brown, lumber. 
Cott & Pullen, livery stable. 
C. M. Cott, restaurant. 
Anton Fisher, hr.rness maker. 
M. C. Oglevie, shoe shop. 
H. Constant, shoe shop. 
G. W. Hensley, furniture. 
Joseph Yakish, blacksmith. 
James Meuser, blacksmith. 
John Vandraska, wagon maker. 
J. Oglevie, physician. 
. J. A. Lee, physician. 
H. Lindner, physician. 
Miss Kate McCarthy, dress-maker. 
Miss Hannah O'Hair, milliner. 

THE LONE TREE. 

In the southwest part of section ten there stands the "Lone Tree," so 
well known by the tirst settlers of this section of country. It is a large 
white elm, and was the only tree on the prairie, and could be seen for 
many miles. There were no other trees for miles around, excepting 
within some four miles tow^ard the river. It stands on the highest portion 
of the prairie in that part of the country. When and how it came there 
is a mystery. The town of Lone Tree took its name from this old natural 
curiosity and pioneer landmark. 

RIVER JUNCTION 

Is three and one-half miles west of Lone Tree on the B., C. R. & N. 
R. R. This place has two stores and a post-office and depot. 
' The post-office was first called " 77 ;" this was in about 1850, and John 
Porter was the first postmaster, and served until 1854, when H. Walker 
was appointed, who served for eight years following. The present post- 
master is J. D. Musser. 

In 1880 there were shipped from this point fifty-four car loads of corn, 
thirteen of oats, nineteen of hogs and ten of cattle; total, ninety-six. In 
1881, nine car-loads of corn, nine of oats, fourteen of hogs, nine of cattle; 
total, forty-one car-loads. 

There is a ferry across the Iowa river at River Junction, which has 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 711 

been in operation some twenty-five years. It was formerly known as the 
Odell ferry, but is now owned by Mrs. Porter, and is in charge of John 
Douglass. 

CHURCHES. 

The Church of God was organized in October, 1854, by M. F. Snavely, 
who, about one month afterward was killed by a railroad accident, forty 
miles west of Joliet, 111. The original members were Daniel S. Ball and 
wife, Joseph Hamilton and wife, R. V. Smith and wife, WiUiam Hill, 
Delates Graves and wife, Mrs. David Drosbauch, C. M. Holland, John 
Holland, Joseph Holland and wife and others. Its pastors have been Philip 
Jacob Shaw, Lininger, Henry Murry, Abram Holland, J. M. West, L. F. 
Chamberlain, W. J. Howard, J. J. Richardson, J. S. Miller, H. Murray, 
Wm. Vance and Jacob Erb. There are now about twenty members, and 
they hold their meetings in the school-house near Mr. J. Steel's 

The Methodist E-pisco-ptil Church of Fremont township, was first 
organized in 1S5S, by Rev. A. W. Strvker. The original members were, 
Robert Anderson and wife, Sidney Potter, A. "W. Leonard, George San- 
ders, Clement Wood, Richard Huskins and wife. They held meetings for 
a number of years in a school-house known as King's school-house. In 
1868 they built a frame church about two miles south of Lone Tree at a 
cost of $1,200. It was dedicated by Rev. F. W. Evans of the Iowa Con- 
ference. In 1874 this church was moved to Lone Tree, and rebuilt at a 
cost of $1,900, and was re-opened by Rev. A. B. Kendig. Its pastors have 
been A. W. Stryker, O. McCutchen, E. Miller, C. P. Reynolds, H. Tall- 
man, Rev. Ward, W. Posten, J. M. Coats, S. H. Thomas, Wm. Honn, 
G. W. Bamford, W. K. Hillhouse, J. B. Wiles, Rev. Dailey, E. W. Twin- 
ing, Rev. Stigers, Rev. Watson, L. O. Housel, C. S. Jennis, S. H. Thomas 
and J. M. Mann, present pastor. There are now sixty-seven members. 
There is a good Sunday school connected with this church at present, 
superintended by Mr. J. Ritter. 

The Reformed Church, of Fremont township, was organized in 1864* 
The original members were A. P. King, Ellen King, Mary King, Mr. 
McNeal and wife, Lottie McNeal, Adam Keishner and wife, Charles 
Fernstrom, James Lutz and wife, James Allison, etc. The present church 
building is situated on section 10, and was erected in 1877, at a cost of 
$2,200. It was dedicated by Rev. Albright and J. H. Buser, the latter 
being the present and only pastor the church has had since its organiza- 
tion. The membership is forty. The Sunday school, J. H. Lutz, super- 
intendent, reported in prosperous condition. 

The Baptist Church, of Lone Tree, was first organized November 13, 
1873. Its original members were Rev. Charles Brooks and wife, W. E. 
Aylworth and wife, Charles H. Aylworth and wife, O. N. Aylworth, Mar- 
tha J. Aylworth, John W. Jayne and Annie B. Jayne. Their church build- 
ing, a frame, was built in the fall of 1874, at a cost of $843. It was dedi- 



712 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

cated by L. A. Dunn, D, D., of Pella. Its pastors have been, Rev. Chas. 
Brooks, A. C. Kelley, J. W. Conley, Jacob Schultz and Rev. James Jef- 
fery, present pastor. The church has not been two weeks without a pas- 
tor since its organization. The present membership is thirty-six. They 
have a continuous Sunday school, winter and summer. 

BURYING GROUNDS. 

The first burying ground in the township was on section 12, near River 
Junction. The first person buried there was William O. Dell; the second 
was Mrs. Kane. There is now about one acre inclosed. 

The cemetery on section 32 was laid out by John Henry, and contains 
one and one-half acres of land. The first person buried there was a child 
of Levi Kizer's; the second was James Boyle, who was drowned while 
seining in the Iowa river. 

There is also a burying ground on section 18, on the farm owned by 
James Evans. The first one buried there was George R. Evans. The 
ground contains one acre of land, which was deeded by James Evans. 

LODGES. 

The United Order of Honor, Lodge No. 2, was instituted by J. A. L. 
Tice. Date of charter February 23, 1882. The charter members and 
first officers were as follows: H. Constant, P. P.; G. W. Runnels, P.; M. 
R. Hill, secretary; John Weiser, financial secretary; F. T. Carl, treasurer; 
M. V. Blood, Inst.; J. R. x\llen, V. P.; L. S. Ridner, A. Hines,F. Demick, 
G. W. Windus, D. Johiston, C. Cott, John Krall, J. A. Lee, A. F. Steel, 
J. Cook, C. Arp, W. V. Few. 

The present officers are: H. Constant, P. P.; M. R. Hill, P.; Wm. 
Rose, V. P.; F. T. Carl, secretary; J. Weiser, financial secretary; Fred 
T. Carl, treasurer. This lodge was organized of good men of good stand- 
ing, and they are all well satisfied with the construction of the mutual aid 
and other beneficiaries on which basis the lodge is founded. The meet- 
ings are held in a rented room. 

FIRST TOWN. 

The first town site ever laid out in Johnson county was on section 12 of 
range 6 in Fremont township, opposite the mouth of English river. It 
was platted, surveyed and staked off by Jonas M. Higley, who was 
employed by John Gilbert, the trading house man. [See article on " The 
Old Trading House," chapter IV, Part 2.] This was in the spring of 
1837; the town was named See-pee-nah-mo; but it came to naught. The 
next year Gilbert was one of^the projectors of the town site of " Napoleon ;" 
but that also came to naught. [See chapter on " County and County Seat 
Origin."] The present town of River Junction, on Henry Walker's farm, 
lies very nearly on the same spot as that first town site ever surveyed in 
Johnson county. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 71 3 

FIRST BABY BORN. 

The first white child ever born in Johnson county, was in Fremont 
township, on what is now Charles Fernstrom's farm. In 1836-'37 the 
Indian chief Totokonock had his village here; early in June, 1837, George 
Hawkins settled here temporaril}^; and in the latter part of August his 
daughter Lucinda was born here — the first white baby born in the 
county. [See article on " First White Child," etc., in Chapter IV, Part 2, 
of the county history.] 

FIRST INCIDENTS. 

From early history items furnished by James Magruder, Henry Walker 
and James Sweet we compile the following "first" incidents of Fremont 
township settlement: In the spring of 1838, John Cain and David Odell 
settled on section 12 of range 6; James Magruder on section 1; David 
Sweet and Wm. Kelso on section 6 of range 5, — all from Indiana. Capt. 
Lewis came later. 

The first death in this settlement was a young man named Green, from 
Ohio; it occurred in 1839 or '40. There was no sawed lumber to be had, 
and Kelso, Sweet and Magruder split out flat pieces of timber to make a 
coffin. 

The first doctor here was old Dr. Teeple. [Drs. Muray, Morrow and 
Bliss were all later, though each has been reported as " first " by some.] 

The first minister here was Rev. Kirkpatrick, a Methodist, who 
preached at David Sweet's house. [No date given.] 

The first school was kept by Jerry Stover in 1842, on the farm now 
owned by John Crane. He had thirteen pupils; they paid $1.50 each 
and furnished fuel, for a three months' term. The school house stood just 
over the line into Pleasant Valley township. It was a log house, 16x16, 
six and a half feet high; split logs for flooring; roof and door made of 
clapboards; no windows; big open fireplace, with chimney built of mud 
and sticks; light came down the chimney and in through cracks or holes 
between logs; for seats the flat side of split logs supported on pins in the 
wall, or on pin legs. The first schoolhouse was built by the joint labor of 
the neighbors. 

The first weaving done in the settlement was by Mrs. Elizabeth Walker 
— famiharly known as " Aunt Betsy." 

The people went to store and post-office at Muscatine — then called 
Bloomington, and had only two stores. 

FINE STOCK. 

Charles Fernstrom, sections 29 and 30, has some thoroughbred Short- 
horns. He owns the bull " Brougham," that was owned by Col. Lucas, 
and took the first premium at the Iowa City fair. Mr. Fernstrom has 
about 100 head of fine graded cattle. He also raises hogs of the Poland 
China and Berkshire breeds, and Cotswold sheep. He has a fine stock 
farm on the Iowa river bottoms. 



714 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

John W. Jayne & Sons, of Lone Tree, commenced breeding short-horns 
in the spring of ] 876, when they purchased a cow, " Delia the 3d," by Duke 
of Marlborough, No. 3,866, American Herd Book; from her they have bred 
twenty-three, up to August, 1882. They have purchased several other 
heifers, and now have a herd of fifty, mostly of their own breeding, headed 
Dy the pure Bates bull, " 2d Duke of Oak Hill," No. 32,353, A. H. B., 
believ^ed by his owner to be the only pure bred Bates bull without an out- 
cross in the State. Mr. Jayne purchased him from the herd of C. H. 
Andrews, Youngstown, Ohio, at a cost of $600. 

James Robinson, near Lone Tree, also has some fine blooded Short- 
horns, but as yet [1882] has only seven head of the thoroughbred animals^ 

Andrew Crawford, on section 15, has a fine stock farm of 385 acres, 
and makes a specialty of raising thoroughbred horses, cattle, sheep and 
hogs. He has pure bred Clydesdale horses, imported from England and 
Canada, and claims that his are the only thoroughbreds of this stock now 
in the county [1882]. He has a herd of forty Short-horns, and over eighty 
head of imported Cotswold sheep. He also breeds Poland China hogs. 

Stonebarger Brothers, at Lone Tree, deal in imported thoroughbred 
Clydesdale horses, and have taken several premiums at county and State 
fairs. Frank Stonebarger and his partner, B. H. Owens, formerly owned 
the following popular horses — " Scotland Glory," " Prince Charlie," 
"Ossian," "Donald Dennis," — all thoroughbreds; and they still own 
" Ossian." The Stonebarger Brothers breed and deal in half-bred and 
three-quarter-bred horses; also in thoroughbred Short-horns. They are 
all young men, but have a thorough knowledge of the stock-breeding 
business. 

BEES. 

David Smith, section 33, has about seventy-five stands of bees of the 
common variety. He says in a good season like the present one [1882], a 
good swarm will make sixty pounds of honey, besides enough to keep 
them through the winter. They get their honey mostly from white clover 
and buckwheat. 

ACCIDENTS. 

In 1849 J. B. HoUingsmith while threshing on the Kane farm, got his 
hand caught in the machinery and had it torn off. 

James M. McReynolds in 1859, while threshing on the farm owned by 
P. A. King, in section 29, was taking away wheat from the thresher; the 
grain being damp, would not run out well, so he reached in his hand to 
help it out; his hat blew oft' and while in the act of leaning foward his 
hair caught on the rod that runs the fans; his scalp was torn almost com- 
pletely off, only leaving a little hair at the lower part of the scalp. It 
took three years to heal up, and he could not endure much heat after- 
ward. 

An Irishman named James Boyle was drowned while seining in the 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 715 

Iowa river, in company with John, Henry and Joseph Drosbaugh, A. 
Rubelman and James Edmonds. He got into deep water and was drawn 
under by a whirl-pool, or as the people generally say, a "suck-hole." 

In September, 1873, Mr. Samuel Welch, one of the old citizens of the 
county, fell dead from a load of wheat. He was building the load, while 
a son of James Magruder was pitching sheaves up to him. Mr. Welch 
suddenly threw up his hands and fell dead ofl'the wagon, from apoplexy 
or some form of heart disease. 

A DOUBI.E WEDDING. 

Married. — In Fremont township, Johnson county, Iowa, on March 11, 
1875, by Rev. S. M. Osmond, Mr. Smith Felkner and Miss Lida Francis. 
At the same time, and by the same, Mr. Clinton Felkner and Miss Lizzie 
Francis. The marriage of two brother and two sisters is an event which 
occurs infrequently, and under any circumstances is interesting and worthy 
of remark, besides the unusualness of a double wedding. 

Henry Walker reports eight ancient mounds on sections 12 and 13 of 
range 6, near the north part of Horse-shoe lake. [See chapter on "Mound- 
builders, Indians, etc."] There are perhaps a dozen small lakes or per- 
manent ponds in the township, this one being the largest; and it is now 
being drained, so as to bring into use the rich lands which it covers. 

On section 7, of range 5, there is a very large, clear-flowing spring, the 
water of which is said to be stronger in mineral qualities than the mineral 
spring at Iowa City. 

Along the river and on the farm of Charles Fernstrom, there have 
been found a number of cedar logs from 20 to 35 feet below the surface 
of the ground ; they have been found a half mile from the river, covered 
with sand. A number are also found sticking out of the bank, from one 
and one-half to two and one-half feet in diameter and in a good state of 
preservation, showing that at one time there must have been a cedar 
forest here. The logs all lay from north to south, and are supposed to 
have been thrown down and covered by the sand and gravel floods of 
what is called the "drift period" in geology. 

Mrs. Elizabeth Welsh is the oldest woman in Fremont township. She 
is now [August, 1882] about 95 years of age, and came from Maryland 
in 1839. [This item is given by Mr. James Magruder; but her place and 
date of birth are not given; neither when she came to Iowa, nor with 
whom she now resides.] — Historian. 

The 5/a^<;/'/'m of September 13, 1882, said: Mr. Michael O'Reiley 
began work on the "Walker Ditch" in Fremont township, on Monday 
with a large force. The channel will be a mile and a half in length, and 
the estimated cost is $1800. 



716 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, 



GRAHAM TOWNSHIP. 



January 5, 1S57, Ordered^ That there be and is hereby established in 
the county of Johnson, Iowa, a new civil township, to be bounded as fol- 
lows: Commencing at the southeast corner of township 80 north, range 
5 west; thence north on the county line to the northeast corner of said 
congressional township; thence west to the northwest corner of section 5, 
in said township; thence south on the section line to the southwest corner 
of section 32, in township 80 north, range 5 west; thence on the township 
line to the place of beginning; and that the first election held therein be 
at the house of M. K. Lewis, on the 6th day of April, 1857. 

In 1882, when nearly every township was out of old corn, Graham 
township contained over 25,000 bushels. It was originally a part of 
Newport township. It is bounded on the north by Cedar township, on 
the east by Cedar county, on the south b}'" Scott township, on the west by 
Newport township. The most of the farmers in this township own tim- 
ber lots in Newport township, along the Iowa river. Wm. Jaynes was 
the first man to settle in this township, in 18-10. Next came E. K. 
Morse, S. H. Hemstead, S. E. Morse, Fred. Hemstead, Nathaniel Morse, 
John Graham, and James Nolan, and shortly after came many others, 
until now it is thickly settled. It was named after John Graham, father 
of A. H. Graham. 

The township is six miles long north and south, and five miles in width 
east and west. The B. C. R. & N. railroad passes through this township, 
and they have three stations on this line of railroad, Morse, the Junction, 
and Oasis. The following named churches are located in this township 
with cemeteries connected with each church. The Fairview Church, sit- 
uated on section 34; Zion Chapel, at Oasis, on section 25; and the Chris- 
tian Church at Morse station. This township has nine school districts, 
David Lyons, president of district No. 1; J. K. Strawbridge, of No. 2. 
John Parsons, of No. 3; August Ernest, No. 4; J. M. Hoffman, No. 5; J; 
P. Coulter, No. 6; D. M. Dixon, No. 7; H. Lumpa, No. 8; John Connell, 
No. 9. The levy for teachers' fund for 1882 was $1,450, school-house 
fund $280, contingent fund $205. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church at Oasis (first called Graham Church, 
was organized in 1864. The church building is a frame, erected in 1864) 
at a cost of $1,600, and was dedicated the same year by A. K. Johnson. 
Trustees: C. Thompson, John Thompson, John, Barnes, M. A. Graham, 
and C. Carver. [No other particulars furnished.] 

Graham township has two post-offices — Morse, with M. E. Freeman as 
postmaster; and Oasis, with D, E. McClellan, postmaster. Both places 
are stations on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern railroad. 

The Christian Church at Morse. — The dedication of this church 
occurred Sunday, January 25, 1880. The Rev. J. B. Vawter, state evan- 
gelist of the Christian Church, preached the dedication sermon. The Rev. 
W. B. Craig took charge of the financial part of the services. The building 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY 717 

without furniture cost $2,600, and of this amount $1,000 was lacking on 
the day of dedication, but the funds were raised on that day and the 
church was made free from debt. The building is gothic in style, with 
recesses, vestibule, and belfry; a brick building, with stone-capped but- 
tresses and trimmings of Anamosa stone. The seating capacity is for 250 
persons. Graham township is well supplied with churches. Morse sta- 
tion is in the center of a wealthy portion of the township, and they have 
erected one of the handsomest country churches in the county, 32x46. 
The building committee consisted of Thos. Metcalf, Orrin Andrews, and 
Will Andrews. The Christian Church ot Iowa City presented this church 
with a fine silver communion service. 

A JOKE ON MR. POLAND. 

James Eason had a blacksmith shop in Graham township, and one day 
during the winter of 1857-58, there was a crowd gathered at the shop waiting 
for work, among them being Hamilton Poland, Mr. Norris, and a young 
man who boarded at Eason's. Slavery was the staple topic of discussion 
in those days, and Mr. Poland being a strong anti-slavery man, waxed 
warm and eloquent in expressing his sympathy for the oppressed negroes. 
The young man conceived the idea of giving his sincerity a practical test; 
so he slipped out and went over to Mr. Eason's house; there he blacked 
himself and put on some old clothes, then went out back "across lots" into 
the road out of sight of the shop, and there started on a weary limping 
walk toward the shop. He was soon observed, and from this point the 
young joker tells the story himself. He says: 

Near the shop Mr. Eason had a cattle shed, and when I reached it I 
crawled in and laid down in the manger. The crowd came down upon 
me as did the proverbial Assyrian. Mr. Poland at their head. When he 
reached me, he said: 

"Well, my friend, where are you from?" 

" Massa, I'm trabling," I answered. 

" Well, tell us all about your case. We are republicans, and friends." 

I then proceeded to tell him a story of imaginary difficulties which I 
had encountered in making my way from slavery to freedom. So warmly 
did I appeal to his sympathies by the doleful story I related, that he 
promised to take me home with him, and all arrangements were completed 
for me to accompany him to his house, when he remembered that 
*peculiar circumstances' then pending in his family would not admit of it, 
and it was arranged that Mr. Norris was to take me to a Mr. Painter's 
where I would be safe. He then bade me good-bye, and returned to the shop. 

Meeting Mr. Norris next morning, he asked him if it was all right; he 
replied that it was, whereupon Mr. Poland said: 

" I knew it; yes, sir, he is safe thereP 

Coming into the shop where I was, I told him of the deception, as 
Mrs. Eason was afraid he would be angry if the joke was carried further. 
He admitted being sold, and said he had never missed me, as the shop 
was full of men at the time. 

The Mr. Painter referred to was one of the Pedee Quakers in Cedar 
county, where old John Brown made his headquarters in Iowa. 



718 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 



HARDIN TOWNSHIP. 

January 4, 1858, Wm. Hardin filed the petition of citizens of township 
79 north, range 8 west, of the 5 P. M., for the organization thereof as a 
civil township to be called Hardin township, and the court being fully 
advised in the premises; therefore. 

It is hereby ordered by the court, that township 79 north, of range 8 
west, of the 5th P. M., be and the same is hereby organized and formed 
into a new civil township, to be called Hardin township, and that the first 
township election to be holden on the day of the annual township elec- 
tions, on the first Monday in April, 1858, at the school house in Wind- 
ham in said township, for the election of township officers therein. 

Hardin was originally included in Washington township. It has now 
one post-office, called Windham, of which Owen Slater is postmaster. 
Hardin township was so named from William Hardin, who lived on sec- 
tion ;)2 at the time the township was organized. The first settlers were 
as follows: A. D. Packard, from Ohio; came in June, 1838, and settled 
on section 34. Mr. Baxter came in the spring of 1840, from Indiana, and 
settled on section 33. Alanson P. Rich came from near Alton, III., to 
Iowa, in spring of 1841, and to this township in 1843. John Burns 
and Michael Dufty came here in spring of 1841, from Illinois, but they 
were natives of Ireland. G. H. Packard came in fall of 1840, from Trum- 
bull county, Ohio, and settled on section 34. John and Samuel WykofF 
came in 1841, from Illinois, and settled on section 31. 

Mr. A. D. Packard says, the first marriage was that of Margaret Burns 
to Michael Dufty, some time in 1842, by the Catholic priest in Iowa City. 
The first doctor was J. J. Morgan from Muscatine county, formerly from 
Ohio; became to this township in the fall of 1856, and went to Nebraska 
in 1870. The first preaching was by Rev. Dr. Wood, of Iowa City, a 
Presbyterian; he held services in a school house on section 34, in 1846. 
The first school was taught in a log cabin on section 35, by Miss Margaret 
Montgomery, now Mrs. Roop, of Washington township; she received 
$1.50 per week and "boarded 'round" with the pupils. The first school 
house was a frame, built on section 34; it cost about $125, which was 
raised by subscription. Mr. Packard is now using the same building for 
a wood house. Mrs. Rich did the first weaving. The settlers had to get 
their supplies from Muscatine. 

The first sawmill in the township was built in the fall of 1845, by Asby 
D. Packard. It was a water mill on Old Man's creek, and could saw 
about 1,500 feet of lumber in twenty-four hours. In 1855 he built a steam 
mill, on section 34, and the following year added a flouring mill, both 
being run by the same engine, and the whole property worth about $10,- 
000. Oct. 10, 1864, the mills were burned down by an incendiary, and 
were a total loss, being without insurance. 

In 1854 the town of Windham was laid out by Mr. Packard, and the 



1 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 719" 

only post-office in the township was established here in the fall of 1855 
Orville Barrows being the first postmaster. 

There is, at Windham, a graveyard containing a half acre of ground, in 
section 34. The first person buried there was L. Prince. 

Nathaniel Crow, on section 31, has been for five years making a spe- 
cialty of breeding thoroughbred Short-horn cattle. 

CHURCHES. 

Si. Peter^s Church {Catholic)^ at Windham, was organized about I860. 
The original members were: Felix Bradley, J. J. Bradley, C. Bradley, 
J. H. Bradley, James McGillen, James Wollen, James Molloy, Michael 
Brierton, James Burns, Edmond McCabe, Bartholomew McCabe, Oscar 
McCabe, Barney McCabe, Dan McCabe, Lawrence Cusick, John Cusick,. 
Jacob Robert, Adam Robert, Neo Robert, Peter Robert, James Welch, 
Conrad Deckerman, Michael Murphy, Lawrence Mungervan, Thomas 
Corcoran, John Corcoran, John Bevrens, Philip Mulcahey, and others. 
Five acres of land, on section 35, was donated by Thomas Clark, of St. 
Louis, for the church and cemeter}'^, and in 1859-60 the present frame 
building was erected. It has a membership of seventy families. P. J. 
Sullivan, Father Dunn, James Davis and James Quinn, the present incum- 
bent, have been its pastors. 

The Windham Evangelical Church was organized in 1867; the origi- 
nal members were: Abraham Deihl and family, Noah Diehl and wife, 
Noah Foster and wife, Jacob Foster and wife, George Miller and wife, 
Robert Roup and G. Kretzer. They have a frame church building, on 
section 22, township 78, range 7, which was built in 1870, and cost about 
$1,500. It was dedicated by Rev. H. Lageshutte. The successive pas- 
tors have been Revs. J. Bussard, C. H. Egge, J. Wagoner, C. W. 
Anthony, E. F. Mell, Wm. Kleinfelter, I. N. Yaggy, A. J. Gramby, J. E. 
Stauffacher, and the present pastor, D. W. Fink (1882). The present 
membership is thirty-seven. 



JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. 

On the 6th day of March, 1854, Wm. A . Howard presented a petition 
to the county court for the organization of a new civil township, which 
petition is in the words following, to-wit: 
To the Honorable^ the yndge of the County Court of 'Johnson, lozva : 

We the undersigned, qualified voters of Monroe township, hereby peti- 
tion your honor to divide Monroe township by the line between ranges 
seven and eight west, so as to make two townships of said Monroe town- 
ship; the eastern division to be called Jefferson and the western division to 
retain the name of Monroe. 

August 1, A. D. 1853. Signed by Ebenezer Bivins, P. P. Cardwell, Wm. 
A. Howard and thirty-seven others. 



720 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

And thereupon the county court bein^ satisfied that the convenience of 
the citizens petitioned aforesaid, requires the establishment of a new town- 
ship, do hereby order and direct that all that part of congressional town- 
ship No. 81, range 7 west, which lies north of the Iowa river, be and the 
same is hereby formed and set apart as a civil township, to be called Jef- 
ferson township. And it i*s further ordered, that there shall be an election 
held in said township, on Monday, April 3, A. D., 1854, at the house of 
Walter F. Lloyd, for the purpose of electing one township assessor, three 
township trustees, one clerk, two constables and two justices of the peace, 
for said township. 

See history of Monroe township. Also Chapter I, Part 2 of the county 
history, giving the earliest civil subdivisions. 

Jefferson township has in 1882, one post-office; name, Shueyville; post- 
master, John W. Deen. 

Benjamin Swisher furnishes the following sketch: 

The first settlement was made by James McAllister and W. M. Stew- 
art. This was in 1839; they came from Ohio. McAllister erected the 
first cabin. In 1841, Benjamin Swisher, Wilson Blain, William Winter- 
steen and Nicholas Wintersteen came and settled in this township; also 
Mrs. Elizabeth Whitmore. These w^ere all formerly from Ohio. 

The first marriage was celebrated between Benjamin Swisher and Mrs. 
Elizabeth Whitmore. This occurred on the 16tk day of May, 1841, at 
the residence of Wm. Dupont; Rev. Israel Clark, officiating. 

Wilson Swisher was the first male child born; son of Benjamin and 
Elizabeth Swisher; we was born in July, 1843, and died when one year 
old. 

The first death was a child of W. M. Stewart, in 1839; it was buried 
in section twenty-one. 

The first physician was William Bryant, from Ohio. From here he 
went west. 

The first religious service was held at the residence of W. M. Stewart, 
by Rev. Bowman, or else a man by the name of Wood. 

The first school was taught in a house owned by Wilson Blain, Sen., 
by Miss Elizabeth Wintersteen, who afterwards married Rev. Stephen R. 
Henderson, and now resides in Nebraska. 

Mrs. Polly Hudson did the first weaving of cloth and carpet; she and 
her husband were amon<; the first settlers. Mr. Hudson died in 1855. 
Mrs. Hudson is now living in Shueyville with her children. She says the 
first marriage in her neighborhood was James Campbell to Miss Nancy 
Hall, in 1851; the ceremony was performed by Elder M. Bowman. She 
says the first male child born was Andrew, a son of Addison and Susan 
Chapman. The last heard of him he was in Oregon. 

The first female child was Mary, daughter of Jefferson and Eliza 
Chapman, born in 1851, now dead, being the first death in the neighbor- 
hood. 

Dr. Crosswait was the first physician. His sympathies being with the 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 721 

South when the war broke out, he went south, where, if living, he still 
resides. 

The first school was taught in a house owned by James Smith, by Miss 
Jane O'Brien; she afterwards married Mr. Ford, and lives now in the 
town of Oxford. 

On the third day of July, 1856, William Cashner was killed while work- 
ing at a saw mill for Mr. Fuirmaster. He, with other hands, was rolling 
logs to the saw, when by some means he fell, the log rolling over him, 
and killing him almost instantly. 

The Shueyville cemetery was laid out by W. H. Shuey in 1855. The 
tirst person buried there was a child of W. S. Goodhue. Two acres are 
inclosed. 

James E. Bowersock and Abel Evans cast the first republican votes in 
the township, they being the only ones who voted that ticket at that time. 

The present township clerk, Mr. J. W. Graham, could not furnish any 
particulars of the township's early history; but gives the "followingg sta- 
tistics: For school purposes there is one district township, with six sub- 
districts. The school tax last year (1881) was for teachers' fund, 3^ mills; 
school-house fund, 1 mill; contingent fund, 1^ mills; total, 6 mills on the 
dollar valuation. The equalized value of real estate in the township wat> 
$132,980; and of personal property, $34,551. There are five road dis- 
tricts. Road tax levy, 5 mills; 4 in labor and 1 in money; total amount 
of road tax, $837.65; total tax levy for all purposes, 20^ mills ; total amount 
of tax for all purposes, $2,251.72. 

The present township officers are Frank Pudil and George C. Ander- 
son, justices; Martin Anderson and Joseph Horah, constables; J. W. 
Graham, clerk; Joseph Buresh, P. A. Korab and J. S. Bowersock, 
trustees. 

The inhabitants of this township are very largely of Bohemian nation- 
ality, and the township has the honor of being the birthplace of Mr. 
Bohumil Shimek, whose valuable studies of the natural history and 
zoology of Johnson county will be found in Chapter IX, Part 3. 

W. R. Roberts related that Charles Kalos was drowned in July, 1881 
by jumping oft' the iron bridge into the Iowa river, at what is known as 
Roberts' ferry. Four days after he was found by W. R. Roberts and D. 
Von Stein, about three miles below lodged on a birch bush. Rev. Shiflet 
saw him make the fatal leap. He was a hard working Bohemian. Cause 
unknown. 



LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. 

February 10, 1846, Ordered, that alf that part of Johnson county con- 
tained in the following bounds, to-wit: Commencing at the south line of 
the county on the west bank of the Iowa river, thence up the river to the 
south line of township 79 north, range 6 west, thence west to the south- 



722 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

west corner of said township, thence north to the center of the west line of 
said township, thence west to the center of township 79, range 7, thence 
south to the county line, thence east to the place of beginning, be and the 
same is hereby set apart as a civil township, and shall be called and known 
as Liberty Township, and the first election shall be held at the house of 
John Smith." 

The above boundaries iucluded all ot the present Liberty township, 
besides the southeast one-fourth of Union township, and the east half of 
Sharon township. (See history of those townships.) Union was formed 
by itself, March 6, 185J:; and Sharon, Feb. 1, 1858. 

The earliest township record in existence is 1852. The first clerk was 
Jacob Keppler; they have six sub-school districts; taxable {property in 
1882 was in land, $133,-J:10; personal, $37,665; road tax, four mills on all 
taxable property. This township has in 1882 one post-office, named Bon 
Accord, of which Joseph Hirl is postmaster. 

Liberty towmship has a small stream called "Dirty-face creek," 
because a familv by the name of Morris lived upon it, and had so many 
children with frightfully dirty faces. The old man died from drinking too 
much "Wahoo bitters." The farm upon which Morris lived is now owned 
by Mr. Guffin, on section 19, in Sharon township. 

Picayune creek got its name from a business transaction. A certain 
man on that creek charged his neighbor a picayune [6^ cents] for salting 
his calf; the man was old Squire Figg, who paid the price, and out of 
revenge called the creek upon which the family lived "Picayune creek." 

Fessler creek, so-called because Jack Fessler was the first settler on 
that stream. 

Mellow grave-yard in Liberty township, is the first one dedicated to 
the public, and contains about one-quarter acre. Henry Earhart's grave- 
yard contains about one-half acre, and is situated on his farm. The Over- 
holster grave-yard contains about three-fourths of an acre, and is on their 
farm. 

Th*^ Dunkards have a congregation in Hartman's settlement. The 
United Brethren had a congregation, but Hon. John W. Porter, of Iowa 
City, took the building for debt, and the congregation is broken up. 

The first school teacher was Michael Cline, he died in Washington 
■county. 

SOUTH LIBERTY. 

It is situated on section 17, in Liberty township. The name of the post- 
office is Bon Accord. This little village was laid out in 1856, by Vincent 
Gross. It had a blacksmith shop, a saddle and harness shop and one 
store. Charles Wrede kept the first store and was the first postmaster he 
died in July, 1880, and his wife died in August, 1881. 

The first physician in this township was Dr. Sabin, who settled there in 
1864; he died in Pleasant Valley township, in 1878. 

The first school was on Picayune creek, in a cooper shop. The town- 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 723 

ship election was first held in this building. The first school house was 
built on Jacob Oberholtzer's land, on what is called "Hog Back Ridge." 
It got this name from 'Squire Figg, who was mad at the people on that 
side because they kept a bad lot of hogs. 

There is a grave-yard near South Liberty, established in 1860, on John 
Mentzer's farm. Mary Gross, daughter of T. Sebault and wife of George 
Gross, was the first person buried there. 

The second preacher was a Presbyterian, named Samuel Storrs Howe; 
he preached for the Lutherans at the school house. He is still living, in 
Iowa City. The Methodists held meetings at the Hog Ridge school 
house about the same time, and the religious services were conducted by 
J. D. Templin, of Iowa City, who^afterwards became a prominent lawyer, 
and died in 1S82. He was the first minister to preach in the township. 

Gregory Gross was the first justice of the peace, in 1848, and has been 
justice of the peace ever since. Mart. Bims is the other justice of the 
peace. 

ACCIDENTS. 

Fred Fessler was killed while running a horse race with young Figg; 
his horse ran against a wagon and crushed his breast, and he died the next 
morning after suffering great pain . 

Mart. Earhart accidentally shot himself and died in about five hours. 

S. Runnelhart accidentall}'^ shot himself in the right arm, and died in 
about ten days from mortification. 

In 1870 Nicholas Birrer was drowned in Old Man's creek, and his body 
was found one week afterwards. 

CHURCHES. 

Mr. Michael Dall furnishes the following sketch of St. Stanislaus (Catho- 
lic) Churchy located on section 30, in Liberty township. This church was 
organized February 8, 1854, by Bishop Laurus, of Dubuque. The origi- 
nal members were: Michael Dall, Gregory Gross, B. Dagenhart, Fidell 
Heitzman, Adam Amish, N. Birrer, Joseph Rummelhart, and others. 

They have a frame church building, which v/as erected in 1853-'54, at 
a cost of about $1,500, and was dedicated in February, 1854, by Bishop 
Laurus. The first regular pastor was Rev. Father George Snyder; and 
following him have been Father Fenty, Father Sheafmacher, Father 
Knepley, Father Molloy, Father Haire, Father Brumenshingle. The 
present membership is about forty. 

There are forty acres of land belonging to the church, twenty of which 
was donated by Michael Dall and twenty by Gregory Gross. A burying 
ground was laid out adjoining the church about a year after that was built. 
The first burial there was a child of F. Burke. 



724 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 



LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 

ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWNSHIP. 

June 8, 1870, Supervisor John Dillatus offered the following: 
Whereas, the township of Pleasant Valley, Johnson county, Iowa, is 
eight and a half miles in length east and west, and six miles wide north 
and south, making hfty-one square miles of territory ; and whereas, incon- 
venience to the people of different portions of said township on account 
of the great distance they liave to travel to elections and public meetings, 
exists to such an extent as to cause great and general complaint through- 
out the entire eastern half of said township; and whereas, the territory 
of Pleasant Valley is large enough for two good sized townships, and a 
large majority of the citizens thereof are in favor of a division; therefore, 
be it 

Resolved., That said Pleasant V^alley township be divided into two town- 
ships by a line running due north and south on half section lines of sections 
5, 8, 17, 20, 29 and 32, and that the territory west of said line retain the 
name of Pleasant Valley towship, and the territory east of said line be 
named Lincoln township. 

This resolution was adopted June 10. 

June 11, 1870, the following resolution was adopted: 

Resolved,, That the present township officers of the old township of 
Pleasant Valley, Johnson county, Iowa, shall continue to exercise all the 
functions of their respective offices until an election is ordered and had 
for officers of the new township of Lincoln, organized from a part of said 
Pleasant Valley township. 

At the September session petitions both in favor and against the new 
township were presented, but no change was made in the boundaries at 
that time. And an order for the first election in Lincoln township was 
made, thus: 

Resolved, That the warrant of this Board of Supervisors of Johnson 
Iowa, do issue to the people of the new township of Lincoln in said county, 
organized by this board at its June session, 1870, that an election be held 
by the people of said Lincoln township on the second Tuesday, the 11th 
day of October, 1870, it being the day of the annual township election for 
said year 1870, at the house of Peter Vetters in said Lincoln township, to 
elect two justices of the peace, two constables, three township trustees, one 
township clerk, one assessor, and road supervisors for the various road 
districts in said Lincoln township. 

April 4, 1871, the board had to wrestle again with the Lincoln township 
boundary question, and made the following record: 

In the matter of the application to change the boundary line between 
Pleasant Valley and Lincoln townships: 

This case having been adjourned from the last session of this board to 
this day, and now comes the parties by their agents and attorney, and 
thereupon the applicants for the said change in the boundary line, filed 
the statement of I. N. DeSellem, T. W. Wilson and George W. Wilson, 
and the contestants filed the protest of the citizens and property holders 
in the several school districts of Lincoln township, and this cause now 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 725 

coming on to be heard, and the board having heard the said statement 
and protest read, and also having heard all the evidence offered by 
either party and the arguments of counsel, and not being sutficiently 
advised in the premises took time to consider of the same. 

The next day the following order was adopted: 

Resolved^ That the line between Pleasant Valley and Lincoln townships 
be and is hereby established on the line between sections four and five on 
the north line of said townships and running straight south between sec- 
tions 32 and 33 to the south line of said townships, placing said division 
one-half mile farther east than it has been heretofore established. 

Mr. A. Mead, clerk of Lincoln township, furnishes the following sta- 
tistics: 

The township was organized in 1870. The first trustees were 
Alexander Waldron, B. F. Wagner and Jacob Openheimer, and the 
first clerk was AmosR. Cherry. The first assessor was Otto Means. The 
first official meetings of the board were held at the office of the township 
clerk, Amos R. Cherry. The first school house was called the Craw- 
ford or Cherry school house. 

The entire township constitutes one school district, with eight sub- 
districts. 

The equalized value of the real estate in the township last 3'-ear (1881) 
was $169,085. 

The equalized value of the personal property in 1881 was $31,641. In 
1882 it was $32,685. 

The township is divided into nine road districts. The levied rate of road 
tax was 3^ mills. 

The present township trustees are Albert Shiland, Mercer Hall, Enoch 
Kimble; township clerk, A. W. Mead; assessor, James Rollings worth; 
justice of the peace, John Dillatush; constables, J . C. Hall, J. S. Watson. 

There are no churches, no graveyards, no saloons and no post-offices 
in this township. 

INDIAN REV*ENGE. 

A man named Oliver Atwood was killed in Lincoln township in the 
fall of 1838. He lived near Wapsienonock (now West Liberty) and had 
been up near Marengo working on the new trading post and Indian 
agency which was being established there for the Poweshiek band of 
Indians, after they were removed from their old place four miles below 
Iowa City. Mr. Atwood sent word to his young wife, by some one going 
down, that he would be home in two weeks. Accordingly he came down 
to the old trading house (see diagram in Chapter II, Part 2,) and after 
getting some bacon and other supplies for his family, started on foot for 
home. His route was along the Indian trail from Poweshiek's village 
eastward, bearing a little south, and leading across the north part of what 
is now Lincoln township. Here he was killed and his body thrown into a 
slough. As he did not reach home at the time promised, and no tidings 
46 



726 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

\vas heard from him, his wife grew alarmed and sent inquiries up to the 
trading house. This was about a week after he had been there, and those 
who knew him and remembered of his being there and starting for home 
on foot and alone, only a week before, at once suspected some foul play. 
Search was made immediately, and the body found. It was not scalped, 
but the legs were cut off, and other marks of revengeful mutilation. 
Harrv Earhart remembers passing the spot several weeks afterward and 
seeing some of the hair still lying there. Mr. Atwood was a small man, 
a preacher or exhorter, and friendly, trusting and unsuspicious toward 
all; he would fall an easy victim to any cowardly redskin that might hap- 
pen to meet him; and the explanation of his murder is not far to seek. 

A few months previously a man named Ross killed an Indian over at 
Moscow, in Muscatine county, by knocking him down with a rail and 
then driving it endwise into his skull, thus mashing his brains out. As 
was usual in affrays of any sort between white men and Indians, Ross was 
not punished; it is said that he ran away. Some of the Indians vowed 
that they would kill some white man to appease the ghost ot their slain 
brave, and avenge his blood. In all their ideas of society a whole band 
or nation was responsible for the bad deeds of any one of its members; 
hence to them the whole white race was responsible for what Ross had 
done, and any white man they could catch would satisfy the vengeance 
which their law and usage required. And in this case Mr. Atwood hap- 
pened to be the vicarious victim. 

THE LINCOLN MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY. 

The first officers of this company were: Thos. Birkett, president; 
Hiram Heath, secretary; Ii-a Nichols, treasurer; B. F. Wagner, John M. 
Purvis, John Bregman, O. Higbee, J. M. Clark, and E. P. Whitacre, 
directors. The company is strictly a mutual fire and lightning insurance 
company. The principal office is in Lincoln township, at the residence 
of Hiram Heath. They do insurance business only in Scott, Lincoln, 
Pleasant Valley and Fremont townships, in Johnson county, and Wapsi- 
nonock, Goshen and Pike townships, in Muscatine county. Agents 
restricted to $3,000 on any one risk, and not exceed two-thirds of the 
value of the property; and certificates for insurance issued for not to 
exceed five years. Annual election, first Saturday in October of each year. 



LUCAS TOWNSHIP. 

(FORMSRLY IOWA CITY TOWNSHIP.) 

IOWA CITY PRECINCT. ^ 

January 4, 18-1-i,— 

Ordered, that all that part of township 79 north, of range 6 west, of the 
fifth principal meridian, which lies west of the Iowa river, shall hereafter 
be attached to and included in the Iowa City precinct in said county of 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 727 

Johnson. (This territory now constitutes what is called West Lucas pre- 
cinct.) 



IOWA CITY TOWNSHIP. 

February 10, 1846,— 

Ordered, that all that part of Johnson county known as congressional 
township No. 79 north, of range 6 west, of the fifth principal meridian, be 
and the same is hereby set apart as a civil township, and shall be known 
as " Iowa City township," and that the first election shall be held at the 
court house in Iowa City. (This includes what is now called Lucas town- 
ship, with Iowa City inside of it.) 

ALTERATION OF BOUNDARIES OF IOWA CITY AND NEWPORT TOWNSHIP. 

January 3, 1859,— 

The petition of Sylvanus Johnson and others, for a change of the boun- 
daries of said township, came on to be heard, and it appearing that notice 
of the pendency of said petition had been given in accordance with the 
order of this court, and no person objecting thereto; therefore, in con- 
sideration of the premises, it is 

Ordered by the court, that the prayer of petitioners be granted, and 
that all of sections 33 and 34, township 80 north, of range 6 west, lying 
east of the Iowa river, be detached from Newport township, and attached 
and made a part of Iowa City township. 

IOWA CITY TOWNSHIP PRECINCTS. 

June 6, 1871,— 

Resolved., That the township of Iowa City be divided into two precincts 
for election purposes, by a line commencing at the west side of said town- 
ship in the centre of the Snooks Grove road, following said road east to 
Iowa City, through Iowa City in the center of College street, east of Iowa 
Cit}^ on the line of the Griswold road to the east line of the township. 
All that portion of the township north of said fine to be called the north 
precinct of Iowa City township, and all that portion of the township south 
of said line shall be called the south precinct of Iowa City township. 

September 4, 1871, we find, on motion of supervisor Morseman, it is 

Ordered, that Charles Lewis be and is hereby appointed judge of the 
next election in the south precinct in Iowa City township, and that William 
Lewis and Thomas Hughes be and they are hereby appointed clerks of 
said election in said north precinct; and it is further ordered that Harvey 
W. Fyffe and Samuel H. McCrory be and they are hereby appointed 
judges of the next election in said south precinct of Iowa City township, 
and S. M. Finch be and he is hereby appointed clerk of the said election 
in the said south precinct. 

January 19, 1873, the dividing fine between these precincts was "so 
amended as to place the division line between the north and south pre- 
cincts in Iowa City on the line of Iowa avenue, and thence in the centre 
of the road running east from the east end of Iowa avenue until it inter- 
sects the Griswold road." 



728 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY 



ORGANIZATION OF LUCAS TOWNSHIP. 



January 15, 1873: Report to the county board: 

Your special committee appointed to examine the petition of citizens of 
Iowa City township outside of the corporate limits of Iowa City, would 
beg leave to report, that upon examination of a copy of the State census 
report for the year 1869, being the last State census taken, I find that the 
population of Iowa City exceeds 4,000 — namely 6,548. And that upon an 
examination of the poll book, as returned by the assessor for the year 
1872, the number of legal voters outside the corporate limits of Iowa City 
are 472, and that the number of signers upon the petition by actual count 
are 284, being a majority of the whole number of legal voters outside of 
said Iowa City: * * * * * ^ * * * 

It is ordered that said Iowa City township be divided into (2) civil town- 
ships, one of said townships to be composed of the territory embraced 
within the corporate limits of Iowa City, and be called Iowa City town- 
ship, and the other township to be composed of the territory of Iowa City 
township outside of the corporate limits of Iowa City, and to be called 
Lucas township, and that the place for holding the the next general elec- 
tion in Iowa City township shall be the court house, and the place for 
holding the next general election shall be the fair grounds in Lucas town- 
ship." 

Lucas township contains thirty-four and one-half sections. Iowa City 
is in this territory, and is a township by itself, containing about two sec- 
tions. It lies on both sides of the Iowa river, Iowa City township all being 
on the east side. Lucas township has eleven school houses, five of them 
west of the river in what is called West Lucas, and six school houses in 
East Lucas. George Borland is president of the school board. Teachers' 
fund levied for 1882 was $2,000; school house fund, ^6500; contingent fund, 
$400. There are four stone quarries in the township, and three flouring 
mills. The village of Coralville is situated on the west side of the Iowa 
river, on section 5. 

The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific railroad and the Burlington, Cedar 
Rapids & Northern railroad, pass through this township. The C, R. 
I. & P. R. R. has put in one of the finest iron bridges on this line of road 
over the Iowa river, the east end of the bridge resting on block 23, between 
Des Moines and Lafayette streets in Iowa City. The road tax alone for 
Lucas township for 1882, due from the C, R. I. &P. R. R. company is $238. 

Among the earliest settlers on land now embraced in Lucas township 
were PhiUp Clark, S. H. McCrory, S, C. Trowbridge, Cyrus Sanders, 
Capt. F. M. Irish, Yale Hamilton, Sylvanus Johnson, Silas Foster, Jesse 
McCart, and many others. Its intimate connection with the first and sec- 
ond county seats, the first territorial and State capital, the State University 
and other matters that reach far beyond mere township interest, has made 
its local history to be almost entirely embodied in the several chapters of 
the county history. [See Chapter XI in this volume.] Lucas township, 
has only one post-office, Coralville, of which J. H. Clark is postmaster. 

The first settlement of a land claim in Johnson county was made in this 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 729 

township by Philip Clark, on section 27, beinor the farm now owned by 
James McCollister. The fair grounds of the Johnson County Agricultural 
Society is on section 16, on the w^est side of the Iowa river, about one mile 
from the principal streets of the city. 

VILLAGE OF CORALVILLE. 

A JVezv Town. — A new town was born into this winter weather last 
week, up at the woolen mills and was christened CoralviUe. 

The name was suggested by the fact, which was developed in digging 
for the foundation for the various works on that w^ater power, that the 
rock was of coral formation. Therefore the paper mill was christened 
the "Coral," and now the town takes the same name. — State Press, Dec. 
19, 1866. 

THE FIRST MILLS. 

From Capt. F. M. Irish's sketches in " Annals of Iowa" (1868), we 
make a few extracts: 

Near the close of the year 1841, David and Joshua Switzer erected a 
grist-mill on Clear creek upon the site now [1868] occupied by the woolen 
factory of Mr. Stickler. In this mill was ground the first flour and meal 
ever manufactured in Johnson county, and the people for a great distance 
around realized the benefit of it. But this mill was not able long to sup- 
ply the demands of the rapidly increasing population, and steps were 
taken to improve and make use of tlie water-power of the Iowa river. 
Walter Terrill commenced and completed the erection of his mill-dam in 
the autumn of 1843. This dam is situated one-half mile above the city. 
Mr. Terrill completed the erection of his mill in 181:1:, and put two run of 
stone in operation. In 1845 he attached to the mill a carding machine, 
which was a great convenience to the community. 

On the 19th of May, 1843, the Iowa City Manufacturing Company was 
organized by electing Chauncey Swan president; Silas Foster, secretary; 
and Augustus E. McArthur, treasurer. A. J. Willis, Ferdinand Harbe- 
stroh, and Thomas Snyder were chosen a board of directors, with a 
capital stock subscribed of $5,000, in shares of $25 each. This 
company commenced the erection of a dam upon one of the best 
mill-sites upon the Iowa river, two and a half miles above the 
city, upon the property owned by Walter Butler. The bed of the river 
at this point is of solid rock, with a handsome fall below. In the month 
of June, 1843, A. B. Newcomb, as superintendent of the work, commenced 
getting out timber for the dam, and notwithstanding the many obstacles 
and unforeseen diflSculties which had to be encountered, this great and 
important task was so far completed by January, 1844, as to enable 
the company to put a small grist-mill into operation. A sore misfortune 
lay in store for these enterprising citizens, for in the spring of 1844 a rapid 
rise of the river brought down large fields of heavy ice, and the dam 
being in an unfinished state, a considerable portion of it was carried away. 
This disaster was felt most severely by the company, their funds being 
exhausted, and the financial condition of the country at this time being 
such as to render it very difficult for them to replenish their treasury. 
All these difficulties were at length overcome, the breach repaired, and a 
substantial dam ten feet in height was completed. This was the finest 
structure of the kind west of the Mississippi, and affords one of the finest 
water powers in the state, the hydraulic force- in an ordinary stage o£ 



730 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

water, with the ten-foot dam, being equal to seven hundred and eighty 
horse power. This property, after passing from the hands of the Iowa 
City Manufacturing Company into the hands of different persons not 
having the means to suitably improve it, was purchased by Ezekiel Clarke 
in ] 848, and a large flouring-mill erected and put into active operation in 
1S50. The mill was driven day and night, and furnished the greater 
portion of the flour for the inhabitants of the northwestern part of our 
state. It was no unusual sight to see fifty or sixty wagons arranged at 
this mill at one time, some of them from as far northwest as Woodbury 
county, from all the intermediate settlements, and from southern Minne- 
sota. 

Home Manufacturing Company at Coralville; capital $60,000. Mill 
erected in 1866-67; dimensions, 42x143 feet; intended for three sets of 
machinery and having two in active operation, with a capacity of 10,000 
yards of cloth per month. Manufacture cassimeres, flannels, jeans, blank- 
ets, varus, etc. Now under the direction of Humphrey Taylor, superin- 
tendent; T. Sanxay, president; D. F. Wells, vice-president; L. B. Patter- 
son, treasurer; L. Robinson, secretary. 

SWEPT THROUGH A FLUME. 

In May, 1876, little Charlie Rink, a five 3^ear old son of Chas. A. Rink, 
Esq., fell or was pushed into the Coralville mill dam, and the Iowa City 
Daily Press, of May 3d, gives the following account of the boy's marvel- 
ous escape from drowning: 

He was playing with two boys of his own age, five years, on the brink 
of the pool, out of which a head-gate ten feet under water lets the water 
into the flume leading to the paper mill. This flume is ten feet or more 
under ground through its whole length of 150 feet, and the water fills it 
full. Into this he was sucked and through its whole length he was shot 
so suddenly that he had not time to breath, and reaching its lower end he 
popped up from ten feet under the water and seized a post under the paper 
mill floor, clinging to it with his arms and legs in the attitude of climbing 
a tree. He was missed at home and an elder sister went to hunt him; 
finding on the bank the lads with whom he had been playing, she asked 
them where Charley was, and they innocently answered, that he had 
fallen into the river. The alarm was given, the mills were all stopped, and 
the pool was dragged, but no result. About three quarter of an hour after 
he fell in Mr. Ab. Davis went down to a trap door which opens into the 
dark place into which the flume debauches, and there heard the boy from 
his grasp on the post calling for help. It was impossible to reach him 
from where Mr. Davis was, and so after telling him to hold on, a hole 
was cut in the floor eight feet above his head through which Mr. John H. 
Clark was able to see him, and Alexander Murray was let down by a 
rope and brought him up. He had hung to the post so long that his hair 
was dried. Considering the tender age of the child, and the appalling 
danger of such a journey, it is one of the most wonderful of happenings. 
Just a week after little Charlie went through the flume, he fell into the 
river above the Coralville dam and was carried over it, the dam being 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 731 

thirteen feet high at the crest or overflow. But somehow or other he 
floated, and the swift plunge from the overchute or apron of the dam shot 
him ashore away below the mills, where his father founded him half an 
hour afterward, stripped naked, drying his clothes, "so mother wouldn't 
lick him for getting wet." 

Charlie called at the History Company's office to show this historian 
that he still lives — as wonderfully escaped from a watery grave, as Moses 
or Jonah of old. He is a bright 1 id, and after two such miraculous 
escapes, he is just likely to become a United States Senator or President, 
as other boys were at his age who afterward gvt there. 

The " Coral Mill,''' at Coralville, Valentine Miller, proprietor, was built 
in 1843, [?] by V. Miller and William Kirkwood at a cost of $19,000, there 
then being but three run of stone. After running about two years Mr. 
Miller bought one-half of Mr. K's interest, and S.J. Kirkwood the other 
half. Mr. Miller now owning three-fourths and S. J. Kirkwood one- 
fourth. The mill was enlarged and improved, and now has five run of 
stone and two sets of E. T. Ellis rolls. 

The mill has capacity of 100 barrels per day, and employs five men in 
the mill and three teams, and three men in their store in the city. Mill 
generally runs day and night. Size of building 40x66 feet, brick, three 
stories high besides basement and has the latest improved machinery. 

The Iowa City Paper Mills at Coralville, M. T. Close & Sons, proprie- 
tors, were built in 1S65 by the Close Brothers— M. T., C. D. and S. M- 
Close and cost about $45,000. After running about one year it was rented 
toJS. M. Close & Co., they running it five years. The mill was then 
enlarged and run by M. T. Close & Sons, who are the present owners. 
The mill employs 45 to 50 men, and manufactures straw wrapping paper, 
straw board, and building paper; the}^ have about $100,000 capital 
invested. Use 4,000 tons of straw annually. They have two steam 
engines, one 150 and the other 120 horse power; and eleven rag engines 
or beaters. The capacity of mills is nine tons of paper per day of twentv- 
four hours. It runs day and night. There are two paper machines, one 
forty-eight and the other sixty-two inches. They are Rice, Barton & 
Fales make, of Worcester, Mass. There are seven boilers — four forty- 
eight inches in diameter, eighteen feet long, and three forty-eight inches, 
sixteen feet long — which in connection with six water wheels, supply the 
power for running the machinery. The company owns a dam on the 
Iowa riv^er of 100 feet long and ten feet in height. In 1875 a terrible 
explosion occurred in this 'mill instantly killing six persons. See account 
of it in chapter VII, Part 1. 

The Coraville plaining mill was built in 1869; and in 1871 the saw mill 
was added to it. Planing mill cost $800 and saw mill $700. Machine 
shop and mills $2,200. The power is rented by Mr. John Davis from M. 
T. Close «& Sons. 



732 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 



MADISON TOWNSHIP. 

This township was originally included in the territory of Clear Creek 
precinct, as established April 8, 1841. On February 10, 1846, Penn 
township was formed, and it then included Madison township. On Oct. 
15, 1860, Madison township was formed; but the county records of that 
year are lost, and hence the official order defining its boundaries could 
not be found. For an account of the " Lost Record," see Chapter 
III, Part 3, of this county history. 

The clerk of Madison township, Wm. Shimp, furnishes the following 
report: The records show that the township was organized October 15, 
1860, by order of the council. The first board of trustees were John 
Green, Jacob Lininger and H. S. Gould; constables, L,. W. Chamberlain, 
W. Roberts and A. Hildabrand; clerk, H. C. Nichols, now in Kansas; 
assessor, O. G. Babcock; justices of the peace, James Chamberlain and 
Adam Snyder. The first official meetings were held in the old log school 
house called Swan Lake school house. The first school house was built 
by L. Babcock, on O. G. Babcock's premises, section 32. The cemetery 
was located at Chase P. O., and is still in use, and the only one in the town- 
ship. The township constitutes one district school township, and is divided 
into six sub-districts. The school tax in 1881 was, for teachers fund, $900; 
contingent, $350; total, $1,250. The equalized value of real estate in 
1881 was, $137,970; personalty, $48,275. The township is divided into 
four road districts; the levied rate of road tax in 1881 was three and one- 
half mills; the total amount of road tax was $661.81. The whole amount 
of tax for all purposes was, $1,931.81. The present township officers 
are: Trustees, O. G. Babcock, John Snavely and John Sherman; clerk, 
Wm. Shimp; assessor. Dr. Miller Young; iustice of the peace, A. J. Roup; 
constable, G. W. Hansen. 

Madison township now (1882) has only one post-office; it is called Chase, 
and O. G. Babcock is the postmaster. The old post-office, called Green 
Castle, was discontinued some years ago. 

farmer's mutual INSURANCE COMPANY. 

Madison township has the honor of being headquarters of the only 
Farmer's Insurance Company in the county. The company has been in 
operation for some years, on the plan that the property insured constitutes 
the capital of the company, and the insurees are the sole members of the 
company. They insure only farm buildings and property, and insure that 
against fire or lightning; but they will not pav a loss by fire originating 
from the smoking of a pipe or cigar in or about a barn, granary, or stock 
yard, or from using a steam threshing machine. The company does no 
business outside of Johnson county. Their place of meeting for the annual 
election of officers, etc., is fixed at "Cross Roads School House," in Madi- 



1 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 733 

son township. This company has been doing business for nearly fifteen 
years. Its business was conducted in terms of five years each. During 
this time it has carried risks of $54,000 to $135,000, and has paid all 
losses and other expenses on two* and a half to three months per term. 
The assessments were all made at the close of each term. 

During this fifteen year period it was so limited as to be practically little 
more than a business firm carrying its own insurance risks; but last win- 
ter they decided to enlarge their operations, and therefore filed articles of 
incorporation, as the following document shows: 
State of Iowa, Johnson County, ss: 

Personally appeared before me the undersigned, clerk of the district 
court in and for said county, Jacob Zeller, James Chamberlin, L. E. 
Chamberlin, A. J. Roup, Jacob Lininger, J. M. Files, and Isaac Meyers, 
incorporators of the Northwestern Farmer's Mutual Fire Insurance Com- 
pany, of Johnson county, Iowa, who are all personally known to me to 
be the identical persons who have subscribed their names to the forego- 
ing articles of incorporation of said company, and who acknowledged that 
they had signed the said articles to which their several names are attached, 
freely and voluntaril}' for the use and purposes therein set forth. 

Witness my hand and the seal of the district court of said county 
hereto affixed, this 6th day of February, 1882. 

Stephen Bradley, 
Clerk of the District Courts yohnson Comity, Iowa. 

Filed for record, February 11, 1882, at 1 p. m. Recorded in book 52, 
page 197, of deeds. 

A. L. Sorter, Recorder. 

W. D. Whedon, Deputy Recorder. 

Also recorded in office of Secretary of State. 

The corporation is to run thirty years. Every one who insures is a 
full member of the company. " It shall never become a stock company." 

The office of the secretary must be located in Madison township. The 
first officers of the old company were, James Chamberlin, president; 
Adam Snyder, secretary; Jacob Zeller, treasurer; D. R. Wolfe, general 
agent. The first officers of the new incorporation were, and are yet, 
president, Jacob Zeller; vice-president, James Chamberlin; secretary, L. 
E, Chamberlin; treasurer, A. J. Roup; directors, Jacob Lininger, J. M. 
Files and Isaac Meyers. 

The following points will be of interest to all farmers: 

The property, real and personal, of each member of this company, 
shall be liable for the assessment made upon it. 

There shall be no more than $2,000 taken in any one risk until the 
amount of property insured exceeds $150,000, and not over $3,500 on 
any risk; and in no case to exceed two-thirds the cash value, including 
the insurance of other companies. In case of double insurance, this com- 
pany will pay only its proportionate share of two-thirds of the value of 
the property. 

When any person wishes to join this company, he or she may apply 



734 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

to the secretary, who must make a personal survey of the premises, as 
to the safety of the risk, and if satisfied with the risk, will be permitted 
to charge a membership lee of fifty cents and one dollar policy fee, with 
two and one-half mills on the dollar for contingent expenses; all moneys 
to be cash or pledges. No notes will be taken by this company. 

This company shall insure by terms not to exceed five years, when all 
policies will expire at the same time, unless otherwise ordered, and shall 
not insure on the continual plan. 

All insurance will take effect on the day the application is approved, at 
12 M., unless otherwise ordered. 

MRS. MARY MYERS, 

one of the old settlers of this township, has twice given birth to twins.. 
The following is a sketch of her life: Mary Green was born September 
3, 1820, in Newton township, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, embraced 
religion in 1841 and united with the Disciples Church in that county. 
February 5, 1846, she was married to Moses Stover, and the same year 
they emigrated to Iowa; started from West Hill, Cumberland county, 
Pennsylvania, and traveled by wagon, across the Blue Ridge mountains, 
to Newport, then by canal and railroad to Pittsburg, and from there 
down the Ohio river and up the Mississippi to St. Louis on the steamboat 
" Robert Fulton;" from St. Louis up to Bloomington (now Muscatine) on 
the steamboat "St. Croix," and from there to Iowa City by wagon; lived 
in Iowa City awhile and then settled in " North Bend," as this settlement 
was then called. She bore three children to Mr. Stover; two of them, a 
boy and a girl, being twins; the boy died in infancy; the other children, 
Anna E. and Mary E., grew up. September 8, 1850, her husband, Moses 
Stover, died, and was buried in the North Bend cemetery, the third burial 
there. In 1851 she united with the Church of God, at North Liberty; 
and in the same year she was married to Valentine Myers. In this mar- 
riage she bore six children, four sons and two daughters; one son died in 
infancy; and two of the Myers children were twins, as two of the Stover 
had been before. In 1849 her father and mother, David and Mary Green, 
came to Iowa. David Green died, May 6, 1867, aged 71 years. Mary 
Green, his wife, died July 5, 1872, aged 81 years. 



MONROE TOWNSHIP. 

October 5, 1842, it was Ordered^ that the 5th election precinct in this 
county be hereafter called and known as Monroe precinct. 

This was also called "Dupont's precinct," in the newspapers, because 
Wm. Dupont kept a whisky cabin here, and that was the way-mark by 
which this particular settlement was most generally known. See Chap- 
ter I, Part 2, for "Earliest Civil Sub-divisions." Also, see Chapter II, 
Part 2, for further items in regard to Wm. Dupont. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 735 

February 10, 1846, Ordered., that all that part of Johnson county known 
as congressional township number 81, in range number 7 west, and all that 
part of congressional township number 81, in range number 8 west of the 
5th principal meridian, which lies north of the Iowa river, be and the same 
is hereby set apart as a civil township to be known as "Monroe Town- 
ship," and that the first election shall be held at the house of William 
Dupont in said township. 

It will be seen that the above included also what is now Jefferson town- 
ship. Monroe township has now (1882) two post offices — Gregg and 
Danforth. David Simington, postmaster at Gregg, and B. Beyer at Dan- 
forth. 

The earliest records of this township in the hands of Graham Thorn, 
the present clerk, begin in 1862. This township has seven school dis- 
tricts, $1,600 tax for school purposes, (teachers fund and contingent fund), 
in 1882. Road tax, $600. Graham Thorn and Joseph Zebourstsky, are 
the justices of the peace. 



NEWPORT TOWNSHIP. 

February 10, 1846. 

Ordered, That all that part of township 80 north, range 6 west, which 
lies east of Iowa river, and all of congressional township No. 80 north, 
range 5 west of the 5th P. M., shall constitute one civil township in John- 
son county, and shall be known as "Newport township," and the first 
election shall be held at the house of Cornelius Lancaster in said township. 

The above included what is now Graham township, which was organ- 
ized by itself on January 5, 1857. 

Newport township is located on the east bank of the Iowa river; 
bounded on the north by Big Grove township, on the east by Graham 
township, on the south by Scott and Lucas townships, on the west by 
Iowa river. It is composed of six sections from the west side of the con- 
gressional township that is called Graham township, and eighteen sections 
and a few fractions of a congressional township east of the Iowa river. 
The remaining fragments of township 80, range 6, lie on the west side of 
the river, in Penn township. 

Newport is not as good an agricultural township as Graham, but it is 
nearly all covered with timber of fine growth, and so lends as great a 
value to the county at large as any other township in the count}-. The 
first lumber sawed in the county was from a mill erected by Henry Felk- 
ner, who was the first settler in the township, and erected a saw-mill on 
Rapid creek. 

The township is well watered, the principal streams being Rapid creek, 
Silver creek and Turkey creek, all named by Col. Trowbridge, while on 
his rounds assessing, in 1837, '38, '39. 

In May, 1838, Henry G. Reddout, [this name was pronounced Riddoe] 
built a log cabin near the big spring on section 26, in Newport township, 
which formed an important tributary to Rapid creek. At the rock ledge 



736 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

or falls of Rapid creek, in section 36, Henry Felkner had a saw mill; and 
somebody else had one a little below where the big spring brook emptied 
into the creek. In 1849 the U. S. geologist, D. D. Owen, visited Felk- 
ner's mill, to examine the out-crop of rocks there, and mentions it in his 
report. Reddout's cabin and the big spring were for many years a well 
known landmark in the settlement, and the spring had a stone curbing, 
and a neat log house over it; but now the mills, the cabin, the spring 
house, and the people are all gone; scarcely a vistage remains to show 
that they had ever been there as a center of eventful and busy life. The 
spring still bubbles up its clear, cool water, but only to be trodden and 
poached by the grazing beasts of a cow-pasture. It seems a great pity 
that so fine a natural spring should run to waste, instead of being utilized 
for a gilt-edge creamery, for which it would furnish a natural advantage 
not often met with. 

There is no post-office in Newport township. The people go mostly 
to Iowa City for mail and trade; though some go to Morse station and 
post-office, over in Graham township, occasionally; and other some go 
up to Solon, in Big Grove township. 

For 1882 the school tax levys was $600 for teachers fund; nothing for 
school house fund; and $250 for contingent fund. William Merhring is 
the president of the school board. 

This township is largely settled by Bohemians, and they are a steady, 
hard working class of citizens. They have plenty of good stock, and it 
is not much behind the average township of the county in valuable farm 
products. C. S. Roessler makes a specialty in grape culture and manu- 
factures wine from grapes of his own raising. 

Among the first settlers in this township, were Messrs. Lancaster, 
Glessinger, Smith, Taylor, Douglass, Thorp and Albrecht. It is one of 
the most thickly settled townships in the county. 



OXFORD TOWNSHIP, INCLUDING THE TOWN OF OXFORD. 

OXFORD TOWNSHIP. 

On the 3d day of March, 1 856, John Cook presented a petition to the 
countv court, praying the organization of a new civil township, which 
petition is in words and figures as follows, to-wit: 

We, the undersigned citizens of Clear Creek township, Johnson county, 
petition your honor to take such measures as may be necessary to divide 
the present township, by setting ofi" the westerly part known as township 
80 north, range 8, together with the fractional part of township 81, h'ing 
on the south side of Iowa river, and forming a new town of the town- 
ship 8, and that part of 81 lying on the south side of the river, to be 
named and known as the township of Oxford; signed by W. H. Cotter, 
Luther Doty, Hiram B. McMicken, and forty-one others, residents of 
Clear Creek township, Johnson county, Iowa. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY 737 

And thereupon the county court, being fully satisfied that the conven- 
ience of citizens, petitioners aforesaid, requires the establishment of a 
new township, do hereby order and direct that all that part of congres- 
sional township SO north, range 8, together with the fractional part of 
congressional township 81 lying on the south side of Iowa river, be and 
the same is hereby formed and set apart as a civil township, to be called 
and known as Oxford township. And it is further 

Ordered^ that there shall be an election held in said township on Mon- 
day, April 7, 1856, at the house of John L. Hartwell, for the purpose of 
electing two justices of the peace, two constables, one assessor, three 
township trustees, and one township clerk, for said township, and also to 
vote for a school fund commisioner for said county of Johnson, also 
for or against a new court-house, and for or against swamp lands. 

Mr. E. D. Jones, clerk of Oxford township for this year (1882), fur- 
nishes the following statistics: The township was organized in 1856, and 
its first board of trustees were John Cook, John L. Hartwell, and Louis 
Doty. The first assessor was Wm. Cotter. The first official meetings 
of the board were held at John L. Hartwell's residence. The first school- 
house was built by Ben Williams in 1854, on section 5, west of Hon. L. 
R. Wolfe's residence, and was called Edgewood School house. The first 
cemetery in the township was laid out in 1875, west of Oxford (town), on 
Wm. Cotter's land, section 17 

The township constitutes one independent school district, with eleven 
district townships. The school-tax in 1881 for all purposes, teachers' 
fund, contingent, and schooi-house, was $1,000. The equalized value of 
the real estate in the township in 1881 was, $384,833; personalty, $74,827. 
The township is divided into two road districts. The levied rate of road tax in 
1881 was five mills; the total amount of road tax, $2,348.35. The aggre- 
gate levy in the township was five mills. The present officers of the 
township are: Justices, Joel Linkhart and George Lenk; assessor, C. W. 
Staley; trustees, Thomas Sherlock, Dennis Mahony, and James Hardy; 
clerk, E. D. Jones. 

EARLY INCIDENTS. 

Mr. John E. Douglass furnishes the data for the following sketch of 
early events in the Oxford township settlement. John N. Headley and 
Samuel Huston came in March, 1839, and settled one mile east of the pre- 
sent site of Tiffin, in Clear creek township. They were from Ohio. Jas. 
Douglass and family arrived April 1, 1839; and on the 10th of the same 
month came Ebenezer Douglass and family; Charles Marvin and wife; 
William and Henry, and Branson Brown — all from Richland county, 
Ohio — and settled on section 24, township 80, range 8, now in Oxford 
township. Others followed soon after and all along. 

The first marriage in this neighborhood was Orley Hull to Miss Mary 
Clark, in May, 1840, at a house about two miles west of where Tiffin is 
now. They were married by John L. Hartwell, justice of the peace, 
who now resides in Oxford village. T he second marriage was of Wm. 



738 HISTORV OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Spicer to Miss Delilah Sprague, and Russell Spicer to Miss Mary Hart- 
well — a double wedding. The ceremony was performed by Elder Israel 
L. Clark, a minister of the Disciples denomination. 

The first baby born in the settlement was Huldah Marvin, born Dec. 2, 
1840; child of Charles and Elizabeth Marvin. The first boy was James 
H. Douglass, born Feb. 5, 1841, son of James and Fanny Douglass. 

The first death was that of Brunson Brown, who was drowned in 
attempting to cross Old Man's creek, in the spring of 1840. The Indian 
name for Old Man's creek was " Push-i-to-nock See-po." 

The first physician was Dr. Wm. Crawford, from Indiana, who came 
in 1841. 

The first minister was Elder Israel L. Clark, of the Disciples or "Christ- 
ian" denomination. He preached from time to time in the neighbor's 
houses until there was a school house to hold meetings in. 

The first school was kept in a little log cabin belonging to James Doug- 
lass, in 1841. The teacher was Miss Mary Berry, who received $1.50 
per week of five and one-half days, which was made by teaching on alter- 
nate Saturdays. 

The first weaving was done in 1840, b}- Susan Dennison. But in 1841, 
Fanny Douglass, Sarah Douglass and Mrs. Eliza Douglass Marvin (three 
sisters), all using the same loom, made from flax of their own growing, a 
supply of linen cloth, which they made up into shirts, pants, towels, table 
cloths, sheets, etc. In 1843 they carded and spun by hand wool, then 
mixed it with cotton warp in the weaving, and made jeans and linsey cloth. 
Of such goods were the best "Sunday-go-to-meeting suits" of the time, 
for it was only an occasional youth who was fortunate enough to procure 
from the Indians a nice pair of buckskin breeches, or a " Mackinaw 
blanket," for special "dress-up" occasions. 

There were no roads, and we either forded the streams or went around 
them — "headed" them as it was called — following the "divide," or high 
ridge between streams. We went to the Mississippi river for meal, flour, 
■groceries, and other necessary supplies, with ox-teams — slow, but sure. 
Some time in 1841 it began to be that we could get corn ground down at 
Wapsienonok (now West Liberty), in Muscatine county, at a horse mill, 
by hitching in our own oxen to do the work. And after toll, and feed on 
the trip, we would get home with about half as much as we started with. 
At home we ground buckwheat in a coffee mill and bolted it with a com- 
mon meal seive. 

FIRST POST-OFFICE. 

The first post-oflice in Oxford township was kept by James Douglass 
on section 24. It was called Copi post-ofiice. There is no post-office 
now, 1882, except the one in Oxford village, and J. M. Templeman is the 
postmaster. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 739 

ORGANIZATION AND NAMING OF OXFORD. 
SKETCHED BY M. W. COOK. 

Previous to the year 1856, the territory now included in Oxford town- 
ship formed part of Clear Creek township. Disputes having arisen from 
time to time in regard to the voting place, road districts, and other mat- 
ters, steps were taken for a separation, and at the general election in 
August, 1855, a petition was circulated and received the signatures of all 
the voters in the proposed new township asking that a new township be 
formed. 

The law, then as now, required that the boundaries of new townships 
should be made to conform to the boundaries of congressional or survey, 
or's townships, except, where a good reason existed for ignoring such rule 
Accordingly the boundaries of the new township were so arranged except 
on the north, where the Iowa river was made the boundary. The dimen- 
sions of the township under that arrangement was six miles east and west, 
and about seven miles north and south, having an area of more than forty 
square miles. The territory included is described as being all of township 
80 north, range 8 west, and that part of township 81 north, range 8 west, 
lying on the south side of Iowa river. 

The remainder of 81 north, 8 west, was formed into a township about 
the same time and called Monroe. 

The petition was presented to his honor. Judge Lee, as all matters 
pertaining to a change of township boundaries came before the county 
judge, under the old law, and as there were no remonstrance it was once 
decreed that henceforward the people of the territory above named 
should manage their own domestic concerns, a responsibility they felt 
lully prepared to shoulder. It was also decreed that at the time of the 
annual election of township officers, which came in March, the election 
for the new township should be held at the residence of J. L. Hartwell, 
then known as the Erie House. 

The following is the list of officers elected at that election: Justices 
Luther Doty and Walter Camp; trustees, J. L. Hartwell, John Cook 
and Lewis Doty; assessor, \W. H. Cotter; township clerk, Luther Doty; 
constables, Thos. Heifner and "Bob" Carpenter. 

Oxford is an old name, being the name of the capital of England in 
early times, or leastwise the residence of the rulers, and the seat of the 
University of England, the greatest institution of learning in the world. 
But our Oxford gets its name only indirectly from Oxford, England, being 
named from a town in Chenango county. New York. And this is how it 
came about. The petition had been drawn with a blank space for name 
and had been signed without filling the blank. W. H. Cotter had been 
charged with the matter of presenting the petition, and had it at his house; 
he mentioned the fact of the blank to his wife, who suggested filling it with 
Oxford, which was the name of the township where she had spent her 



740 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

childhood and youth. This was not at once accepted, but several 
names were suggested and finally written on slips of paper and little 
"Fred," then three years of age, was called upon to choose the name, and 
to the joy of his mother, it was Oxford: and thus the name was selected 
and the blank filled. Little Fred and his mother both have slept for years 
beneath the sod, and to the writer it seems as if the name Oxford was a 
lasting monument to their memories. 

CEMETERIES. 

The first burying ground in Oxford township was one acre given by 
Thomas Heifner, on section 5, in 1852. The first person buried there was 
Martin Mason. 

The present cemetery is on section 17, one mile northwest of Oxford 
village, on high sandy ground. It contains four acres, and was laid out in 
June, 1875, by Wm. H. Cotter. The first person buried there was J. H. 
McFarland, January 11, 1875 — several months before the ground was laid 
out. January 26, 1875, Mrs. Sies was buried there — the second burial. 

In 1876 the Catholic people laid out a cemetery of one acre, on land 
adjoining the above on the south. 

VINEYARD. 

The only large vineyard in the township is on section 8, and is owned 
by Joseph Schonborn. He has found the Concord grape the most pro- 
lific, hardy and profitable variety to cultivate here. He imported several 
choice varieties from Hungary, at great cost, but they would not stand 
the climate. In 1864 he imported from Bavaria four varieties of mulberry 
seed, such as the Bavarian silk-worm feeders use. The trees grew, and 
bore fruit the fourth year from the seed; but soon died — wouldn't stand 
this climate. 

Mr. Schonborn also raises large crops of blackberries, raspberries, and 
strawberries. He has made a good deal of wine, and had about 3,000 
gallons in his cellar in July, 1882. 

THE COLORED SETTLERS. 

The census of 1869 shows that Oxford township had 153 dwellings and 
a population of 891, of whom nine were of the "colored persuasion." 
The number of voters was 180, an increase of twenty per cent in two 
years, and this is about the average of increase in farm productions, etc., 
during the same period. The nine colored persons above mentioned 
were the "horde ot barbarians" which it was predicted would be turned 
loose amongst us, to subjugate and finally annihilate the Caucasian race. 
They remained a year or two, and then folded their tents and departed; 
and except one individual they are the only representatives of their race 
who have ever made their home in Oxford township. 

TRIPLETS TWICE. 

Mrs. David Clodfelter, living on section 11, Oxford township, has twice 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY 



741 



given birth to triplets. The first time was January 25, 1857 — three girls, 
one of whom, Mary, is still living (1882.) The second time was March 
23, 1865 — three boys, two of whom, George and Henry, are still living, 
well formed and healthy. 

THE TOWN OF OXFORD. 

The original town of Oxford was laid out and plat recorded in the year 
1868, by its proprietor, Mr. P. C. Wilcox, whose son, Mr. C. S. Wilcox, 
has since made two additions to the original plat, the first in March, 1872, 
and the second, March, 1875. McDonough's addition was added in Oc- 
tober, 1870, and Waterman's addition in the year 1874. The town is situ- 
ated on the C. R. I. & P. Railroad, 69 miles west of Davenport, and 252 

miles from Chicago. 

"tanktown." 

Before the town of Oxford was laid out, there were a few shanties 
erected about the tank, and occupied by the section men, and the old 
Catholic Church was built a year or two before that event, which occurred 
in 1868, the original site being upon the southwest quarter of section 21, 
being sixty-nine miles from Davenport, 252 from Chicago, and 105 from 
Des Moines, by railroad. Oxford post-office was then kept by Mr. 
Vaugn, on the hill, and the place was known by some people as Oxford, 
but by far the greater part of the people called it "the tank", which name 
it was called by for three or four years after the town of Oxford really 
existed. 

BUSINESS AT OXFORD STATION. 

The Oxford journal,, of December 4, 1879, said: 

The shipments from this point for the last five years are shown by the 
following table: 

TABLE OF SHIPMENTS. 





1875 


1876 


1877 


1878 


1879 


TOTAL. 


Cars wheat 

Cars oats 

Cars corn 

Cars rye . . 


137 

7 

185 

1 

5 

82 

21 


84 

15 

130 

3 

2 

95 
34 


109 
11 

114 
14 
11 
76 
38 


65 

21 
148 

16 

1 

148 

45 


42 

15 

224 

15 

2 

131 

25 


437 
69 

804 
49 


Cars barley 

Cars hogs 

Cars cattle 


21 

532 
163 



By a glance at the above table, it will be seen that wheat-raising is 
steadily on the decrease, and farmers are turning their attention more to 
the raising of corn, hay, and stock. By feeding their grain into stock, 
and shipping it in the shape of pork or beef, a vast saving is made in the 
cost of transportation; as, for example, take four car-loads of corn, and 
feed it into hogs, and the same product can be shipped in one car. Tak- 
47 



742 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

ing this as a basis for a practical illustration, we shall find that if the 801 
car-loads of corn, representing about 330,000 bushels, had been fed to hogs 
it would have raised 11,000 head, averaging 300 pounds, which could 
have been shipped in '200 cars, and would have saved to the farmers of 
Oxford township about 1^35,000 on the cost of transportation. Not only 
that, but the 200 cars of hogs would have been worth about $50,000 more 
than the 801 cars of corn; so that if our farmers had converted all the corn 
they have shipped in the last five years into hogs, the}^ would have been 
worth to-day about $85,000 more than they are. 

Messrs Young, Linberger & Co., owners of the Oxford elevator made 
the following shipments in 1881: 

Wheat 15 car-loads. 

Corn 181 car-loads. 

Oats 86 car-loads. 

Rye . 27 car-loads. 

Timothy-seed 1 car-load. 

This was a poor year for farmers, and hence the shipments were com- 
paratively light. Some shipments of hogs and cattle were made by 
Messrs Wolfe & Young, but no figures furnished for this year. 

MILLS. 

The first mill in Oxford was built by Gallager & Agate, in 1871 or '72. 
It was a steam mill with two run of burrs. The boilers burst and blew 
it up the first year it was built. 

The present Oxford steam flouring-mill was built in 1874, by James 
Stratton; had three run of burrs, and cosi about $14,000. In May, 1881, 
it was bought by J. W. Wilson, the present proprietor, who has added 
$2,000 of improvements, giving it four run of burrs, and a grinding 
capacity of 175 bushels of wheat per day. The largest flouring-mill in 
the county outside of Iowa City or Coralville. 

McCreary & O'Brien started a lumber and coal yard in 1881; have 
about $6,500 invested. The first year they handled about one million 
feet of lumber, and 37,500 bushels of coal. Sales in 1881 amounted to 
$35,000. Besides lumber and coal, they deal also in lime, drain-tile, etc. 

OXFORD BUSINESS DIRECTORY.— 1882. 

George Rentz, mayor, — dry goods and groceries. 

L. Harrington, marshal. 

Perry Levesick, dry goods and groceries. 

Rohret & Bro., dry goods and groceries. 

H. Kennedy, dry goods and groceries. 

John Harman, dry goods and groceries. » 

Sies & Johnson, dry goods and groceries. 

John Spillane, groceries. 

Dora Spillane, groceries. 

E. A. Doty & Co., druggists. 

H. A. Robinson, druggist. 

J. W. Wilson, miller. [See "Mills."] 

McCreary & O'Brien, lumber, coal, etc. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 743 

A. J. Miller, hardware and implements. 
Sies Brothers, hardware. 
H. McCormick, agricultural implements. 
W. H. Poole, jeweler. 
C. F. Doty, proprietor Doty House. 
Geo. Floerchinger, proprietor Oxford House. 
J. M. Templeman, postmaster, editor of the Oxford journal. 
M. W. & G. Trumble, editors of the Oxford Democrat. 
[For history of these newspapers see Chapter VI. — "Newspapers and 
Libraries"]. 

W. H. Hilborn, books and stationery. 

Saxton Bros., livery. 

John J. Gamble, hvery. 

Lee Schonborn, butcher. 

C. Luther, blacksmith. 

Robert Miller, blacksmith. 

John H. Christie, blacksmith. 

Young, Lineberger & Co., grain dealers. 

T. R. Ward, physician. 

J. G. Henderson, physician. 

Wm. Vandenburg, barber. 

James H. Windren, furniture. 

L. Whitford, wagon and carriage maker. 

L. H. Watson, wagon maker. 

Mrs. V. Rawlins, milliner. 

Mrs. Eva Hartwell, milliner. 

Mrs. A. L. Davis, dressmaker. 

J. Douglas & Son, carpenters and builders. 

A. Harrington, carpenter. 

W. J. Graham, carpenter. 

John Fisher, harness maker. 

J. Rapp, shoemaker. 

C. F. Guenther, shoemaker. " 

John Oxen, brickmaker. 

F. X. Melecher, saloon. 

George Floerchinger, saloon. 

John Horner, saloon. 

Mr. Cooney, saloon. 

MASONIC. 

Canopy Lodge, No. 290, A.F. and A. M., was instituted by John Scott, 
G. M.; date of dispensation June 27, 1870; date of charter June 7, 187L 
The charter members and first officers were, J. H. McFarland, W. M.; E. 
R. Wallace, S. W.; J. W. O'Brien, J. W.; D. G. Dunham, S.D.; J. W. 
Clark, J. D.; Thomas Heifner, trustee; James Remley, secretary; Cyrus 
Carson. The present officers are: E. A. Doty, W. M.; R.J. Miller, S. 
W.; F.W.Sies, J. W.; J. W. Wilson, S. D.; W. H. Pool, J. D.; A.J. 
Miller, trustee; A. F. Bosworth, secretary; James H. Nesmith, S. S.; A. 
W. Davis, J. S. Present number of members 34. They meet in a rented 
hall. The lodge is in a flourishing condition, out of debt and has money 
on interest. 



744 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

ANCIENT ORDER OF UNITED WORKMEN. 

Oxford Lodge No. 124, A. O. of O. F., was instituted June 11, 1877, 
Dist. Dept. Grand Master Workman, R. M. Bixby. The charter mem- 
bers were H. McClerny, L. F. Spangler, Wm. Summerhags, John 
Wagner, M. Y. Staley, S. M. Sloufier, F, W. Sies, Henry Humphery, J. 
W. Wilson, C. T. Estabrook, Geo. Rentz, J. H. Wilbur, G. H. Klenk, T. 
R. Word, Henry Vanderlip, A.J. Miller, John Ditto. The first officers 
were: A.J. Miller, past master workman; C.-T. Estabrook, master work- 
man; L. T. Spangler, general foreman; John Wagner, overseer; S. M. 
Stouffer, recorder; F. W. Sies, financier; John Ditto, receiver; J. W. 
Wilson, inside watchman; H.Humphrey, outside watchman. Board of 
Trustees: G. Rentz, H. McClerny and H. Vanderlip. Examining physi- 
cian, T. R. Word, The present officers are: E. D. Jones, past master 
workman; J. E. Douglass, master workman; J. W. O'Brien, foreman; 
J. H. Clark, overseer; E. A. Doty, recorder; F. W. Sies, financier; A.J. 
Miller, receiver; H. McClerny, inside watchman; A. B. Young, outside 
watchman. Board of Trustees: A. J. Miller, E. A. Doty and E. D. Jones. 
Examing physicians, T. R. Word and J. M. Glasgow. They meet in 
Masonic Hall. Number of present membership, 32. 

UNITED ORDER OF HONOR. 

Nemora Lodge No. 3, U. O. of H., was instituted by Capt. J. A. L. 
Tice, March 7, 1882; date of charter the same. The charter members 
and first officers were, Lewis Doty, P. P.; J. E. Douglass, P.; L. Har- 
rington, V. P.; C. W. Staley, Rec. Sec; L. Schomborn, financial secre- 
tary; E. A. Doty, treasurer; A. W. Davis, conductor; C. H. Sies, Inst.; 
F. W. Sies, chaplain; H. A. Cook, I. G.; A. L. Johnson, O. G.; C. F. 
Doty, J. M. Glasgow, H. A. R^es, M. J. Klenk, John Klenk, John 
Floerchinger, L. H. Watson, F. Rapp and C. H. Sies, trustees. Present 
officers are, J. E. Douglass, P.; J. W. Wilson, V. P.; A. W. Davis, Rec. 
Sec'y.; F. W. Sies, Fin. Sec'y.; E. A. Doty,Treas.; F. Rapp, Cond.; C. 
H. Sies, Inst.; L. H. Watson, Chap.; C. F. Doty. I. G.; Lee Schomborn, 
O. G.; Lewis Doty, trustee. The present membership is 22. They 
hold their meetings in a rented hall. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

Mr. Lewis Doty furnishes the following facts of the first church organ- 
ization formed in the township: It was first organized in 1852, on sec- 
tion 5. The original or first members were, Benjamin Williams and wife, 
Charles Mason and wife, and others. They held meetings in a school 
house. The successive pastors of this first M. E. Church, were: Rev. 
Jamison, Rev. S. Brooks, Rev. Bamford, Rev. Hestwood, Rev. Woolsey, 
Rev. Hill, Rev. James Paston, Revs. James Coates and G. W. Rawlings. 
The early settlers took an active interest in church affairs. This church 
or "class" in its time belonged to a large circuit, extending from eight 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 745 

miles beyond Marengo to North Bend, and the preachers passed on 
horseback from station to station in a regular round. That is why they 
were called "circuit riders." 

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Oxford, was reorganized in 1872. 
Their church building is a frame and was built in 1874, at a cost of $4,000. 
It was dedicated Oct. 11, 1874, by Bishop Gilbert Haven. Its pastors 
have been G. W. Rawlings, A. V. Francis, D. C. Bevan, D. A. Waters, 
A. McClintock, U. B. Smith, J. G. Barton. Besides the church building, 
the society owns a comfortable parsonage, worth about $1,000; these are 
both paid for, the society is out of debt, and in good condition financially. 
Present membership (1882) about 130. 

St. Mary's Catholic Church., of Oxford, Iowa, was organized in 1860. 
The Floerchmgers, Reynolds, McGillicuddys, Daltons, and other families, 
were its original members. The first church building was a frame, 
erected in 1862; the second, also a frame, was erected in 1878, at a cost of 
about $4,000. It was dedicated in 1882, by Rt. Rev. McMullen. Its 
pastors have been. Rev. W. Emmonds, Rev. F. Welch, Rev. Hardin, 
Rev. Rice, Rev. A. T. Maynihan, Rev. Sullivan, and Rev. James Davis, 
present pastor. Since the first small church was erected many members 
have been added to the congregation, which at present numbers about one 
hundred families. Through the generous co-operation of the faithful, the 
several pastors were enabled to make many improvements to the church 
and surroundings, and to-day a good church and parsonage stand forth 
as the testimony of the living faith. Rev. James Davis, the present 
pastor, is a native of Killarny, Ireland. He received his early education 
from the priests of the Order of Mount Carmel, in his native country. 
From this venerable order he went to Carlow College, where he was 
ordained priest for Dubuque diocese, and in 1881 received his appoint- 
ment at Oxford. Came to America in September, 1878. 

The First Presbyterian Chirch was organized October 8, 1870, in the 
old Masonic Hall, Oxford, (town). The original members were, Joel 
Linkhart and wife, Jonathan H. Ryder and wife, Wm. W. Howard and 
wife, Miss Caroline H. Howard, Wm. H. Harrison and wife, Mrs. 
Lucretia A. Scott, John Hutchinson, Stanley W. Smith and wife, Mrs. 
Clara D. Estabrook. The first church building (which is also the pres- 
ent one) is a frame, and was built in 1872, at a cost of about $2,700. It 
was dedicated in October, 1870, by Rev. S. M. Osmond, D. D. The 
successive pastors of this church have been Rev. A. M. Heizer, to July, 
1873; Rev. David Brown, since December, 1873. The present member- 
ship numbers 104. The building committee were, Thomas Combe, Joel 
Linkhart and Charles T. Estabrook. The first year's services were held 
in the C, R., I. & P. R. R. depot; and then until the church building was 
completed, in the school house. The church maintains a flourishing 
Sunday school with an average attendance of about 80, and the usual 



746 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

prayer meetings, &c. William H. Harrison was the first elder. He was 
elected and ordained, Oct. 8, 1870. After him were elected and ordained, 
in 1871, Wm. M. Dennis and Joel Linkhart; in 1874, I. V. Waterman; in 
1875, Carson A. Foster; in January, 1880, Charles H. Sies and H. A. 
Robinson. The present session (or official board) is Joel Linkhart, I. V. 
Waterman, Chas. H. Sies and H. A. Robinson. 

Lutheran Church. — Rev. A. Leupp, pastor. No rep9rt received. 



* 



PENN TOWNSHIP. 

February 10, 1846: 

"Ordered that all that part of Johnson county contained in the following 
bounds, to-wit: Commencing in the middle of the main channel of the Iowa 
river where the north line of township 79 N., R. 6, crosses the same, 
thence west along said township line to the N. W. corner of said town- 
ship, thence north on the range line two miles, thence west one mile, thence 
north one mile, thence west to the west line of township No. 80, range 7 
west, thence north on the range line to the Iowa river, thence with the 
river to the place of beginning, be and the same is hereby set apart as a 
civil township, to be known as "Penn township," and that the first election 
shall be held at the school house near Chapman's." 

The above boundary included also what is now Madison township. 
Madison was separated and made a civil township by itself some time in 
1860 — but the county records of that year are entirely lost. See Chap- 
III, Part 3, of county history, for an account of the "Lost Record." 

Mr. R. J. Geddes, clerk of Penn township, furnishes the following sta- 
tistics: 

The township was organized in 1846. The first board of trustees were: 
Stephen Maynard, Jacob H. Alt and Alonzo C. Dennison. The first clerk 
was John W. Alt; the first treasurer was John Wilson. 

The first assessor was elected in 1854. Prior to this thi' assessing was 
done by the clerk or justice of the peace. The first official meetings of 
the board were held in a public school house in North Liberty. 

The first school house was built of logs. The neighbors got together 
and built it, and in 1843 it was torn down. The first frame school house 
was built in 1860. The entire township constitutes one school district 
with seven sub-districts. 

The equalized value of real estate in the township last year (1881), was 
$174,601. The value of personal property was 5^)31,266. The township 
is divided into three road districts. The levied rate of road tax in 1881 
was 3i mills; in 1882 it was four mills. The total amount of road tax 
was $930.85. ' • 

The present officers of the township are: Isaac Myers, Peter Long, J 
W. Bane, trustees; R. G. Geddes, clerk; A. F. Runyan, assessor; Nathan 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 747 

Owens, treasurer; Isaac Meyers, secretary of school board; W. S. Ben- 
nett, constable; Jacob Zeller, Nathan Owens, justices of the peace. 

[Some of the tax levy items were not reported.] 

The first cemetery was on G. Wein's place [no date given], and is still 
in use. 

EARLY EVENTS. 

The following sketch of early settlement incidents in Penn township was 
written by Mr. A. G. Ruyan, from recollections of J. B. Dennison, J. H. 
Alt, and others of the first families on the ground. 

This township was first settled by John Gaylor and others. Mr. Gay- 
lor came from Illinois in the summer of 1838, and made the first claim in 
section 7; he afterward sold it to John Wilson and returned to Illinois, 
where it is supposed he died. Next came A. C. Denni::on, J. B. Denni- 
son, George S. Dennison and John M. Headly, in 1839; A. C. and G. S. 
Dennison and J. Headly from Illinois and J. B. Dennison from Ohio; the 
other three were also formerly from Ohio. They left Illinois with wag- 
ons drawn by cattle [oxen]. On their arrival at this place they put up at 
Gaylor's, but only for a short time, for in about one week they got 
together enough logs to erect two cabins, which they, with the assistance 
of neighbors below Iowa City — namely: I. P. Hamilton and two Mr. 
Millers — erected in one day. A few days later they were put under roof. 
G. S. and A. C. Dennison occupied the cabins, J. B. living with them. 
Headly went to Clear Creek township and made his claim. J. B. Denni- 
son lives now on the claim he first made, in section 1 ; G. S. Dennison 
lives on a farm in Clear Creek township; A. C. Dennison is somewhere 
in Kansas. 

J. B. and A. C. Dennison broke the first furrow on the farm now owned 
by Isaac Myers, in section 12, in 1839. 

J. B. Dennison says the first death was a child of Martin Harless, and 
was buried on its father's claim, in section 20, the farm now owned by 
Alex. Koser. 

The first birth of a female child was that of John Gaylor's — name of 
child not known. The first male child brought to the settlement was 
Girdon Dennison, who was three months old, son of A. C. Dennison. 

The first marriage was that of Nathaniel Scales to Miss Nancy Cro- 
zier, on the 30th day of August, 1842. The ceremony was performed by 
Judge F. H. Lee, of Iowa City. 

The first physician was Dr. William Crawford. It is not known for 
certain what became of him. 

The first school was taught by Benjamin Horner, in a log cabin erected 
b}' David Crozier, in section 17. Mr. Horner now lives in Iowa City. 

The first sermon was preached in Wilson's Grove, where Samuel 
Green now lives, in section 7, by Rev. Lineback, a Methodist preacher. 

In 1840 came George Wein, John W. Alt, Jacob H. Alt, Joseph A. Alt, 



748 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Jackson Purdoo, Evan Dollerhide, Adam Alt, Ira Purdoo, Rev. Israel 
Clark, Martin Harless, Robert Waterson, John Aslin, Hugh Napier, 
David Crozier and others. Of the above named only two are yet resi- 
dents of this township, namely: Jacob H. and Joseph A. Alt (see biogra- 
phies). Carson B. and David Wray and James Chamberlin came the 
same year; they are now residents of Madison township. Of the others, 
some have died, some went farther west, and others back east. 

J. B. Dennison relates that in 1842 there were some Indians making 
sugar from trees on the river bottom. John Aslin and Napier went down 
and chased them away. They afterward traded them trees on the oppo- 
site side of the river for a buffalo robe. Of course they went over. 

The first grinding for the settlement was done at Davenport. J. B. 
and Geo. S. Dennison brought with them a load of wheat from Illinois 
and stopped there to get it ground. They were told by the miller that 
he could not grind it for a month. They then purchased one hundred 
pounds of flour, left the wheat, and George went with an ox-team in a 
month and got the grist. Soon after this a mill run by horse-power was 
erected at Wapsienonok (now West Liberty). At that time George S. 
Dennison was keeping as boarders James Hartman and others; they got 
out of bread-stuff, and sent [. B. Dennison to this place to mill. He 
bought of Mr. Clark four bushels of corn; this was put into the hopper 
and J. B.'s ox-team hitched to the lever and the corn ground. 

In 1843, a pretty good log school house was erected in section seven. 
Miss Frost taught the first school in this house, at a salary of eight dollars 
per month, boarding among the scholars, and receiving her pay in wheat, 
etc. This house was used for all religious and business meetings for a 
number of years. In 1860 the first frame school house was erected, in 
North Liberty. The first school taught in this house was by either 
Amanda Crozier or Lemuel Wilson. Since that time others have been 
built. There are now seven school houses and four good church buildings 
in the township. The first Sunday school was organized by Jacob Alt, 
John Wilson, James Miller, Francis Bowman, A. C. Denison and others. 
A. C. Denison was the first superintendent. 

In early days the settlers were of a literary turn of mind, but they had 
no public house to hold their debating clubs in, so they met in each 
other's houses. They would be largely attended, considering the few 
that were here at the time. It made an occasion for the neighbors to 
come together, shake hands, tell the news, show their ideas and capabili- 
ties, and get acquainted. 

[See something about this in Mrs. Hamilton's " Chronicles of Clear 
Creek," Chapter X, Part 3.— Edr.] 

ACCIDENTS. 

On the 27th day of January, 18Y7, S. B. Myers, while carrying away 
lumber from the saw mill of Chamberlin, Myers & Moreland, was drawn 



t 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 749 

into the saw by a slab, and his lower limb so mangled that amputation 
was necessary. Doctors Young and Stewart preformed the operation, 
taking the leg off' three inches below the knee. Mr. Myers by the use 
of an artificialHimb, is able to do considerable labor. 

In 1844 a man by the name of Williams, from Pennsylvania, a Welch- 
man, settled in the timber, (the land now owned by Cyrus Abbott, on the 
river) living alone in a cabin. He was not seen for about two weeks; two 
young men out hunting, passed by, and looking in at the window dis- 
covered him lying on the floor dead. They went to Iowa City and told 
what they had seen. Then the coroner, Mr. Ricord of the city, Jacob H 
Alt, Joseph Alt, and perhaps others, went to the cabin, found him as 
above stated, and buried him. They thought he died from sickness, as 
no marks of violence could be found on his person. In a barrel of cloth- 
ing was found sixty-seven dollars. 

In 1845, near the same place, an Irishman by the name of Dean was 
cutting a tree to make rails; another tree had lodged against the one he 
was cutting, and when they fell Mr. Dean ran, but as they fell in opposite 
directions he failed to get far enough away, one struck him and killed 
him — they supposed instantly. 

STONE QUARRIES. 

This township has an abundance of stone, and it is noted for its non-freez- 
ing qualities; hence they are called the North Bend frost-proof stone. Of 
these quarries N. Zeller, Sen., owns the principal part of them, though 
the first one opened was owned by Mr. Wein, and William P. Doty of 
Iowa City did the work; he also was the first to open up Mr. Zeller's 
quarry, in 1849. Since that time an immense amount of stone has been 
taken from these quarries. B. Eastland is now engaged in getting out 
stone in one of these quarries, and George Madden in another, each of 
them employing a set of hands. 

There are two burying grounds in this township — one is section 17 
called the Wein burying ground. The first person buried there was a 
child of C. B. Wray. There is another in section 1, about one and a half 
miles northwest of the town of North Liberty. It was established in the 
year 1849 or 1850, through the efforts of James Chamberlin, J. B. Deni- 
son, Elder Snavely, Elder Jacob Lininger and others. The first person 
buried there was Mary Lininger, daughter of Elder Jacob Lininger, in 
1850. This ground is used by Penn and Madison townships — hence is 
called the Penn and Madison burying ground. 

TOWN OF NORTH LIBERTY. 

The town of North Liberty is situated eight miles northwest of Iowa 

City, and was laid off by Francis Bowman", in . Dr. Orrin built 

the first house and kept the first post-office. At this time (1882) there is 
one grocery store, and boot and shoe shop kept by H. A. White, present 
postmaster; one saddle and harness shop by John Andrle; one blacksmith 



750 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

shop by John Northup; one wagon shop by A. H. Staller. There is 
also a steam engine of twenty-four horse power, that runs a saw mill^ 
sorghum mill, and feed grinder, the property of George and John Andrle. 
Also, two churches and two school houses. 

CHURCHES. 

Methodist Church.— \n the fall of 1841, the North Bend class (Metho- 
dist) was organized in a cabin on section 8, town 80, range 6. The original 
members were: George Wein, Mary Wein, Jacob H. Alt, Mary Alt, Maria 
Wray, Wm. Alt, Jane Alt. Their first church building was a frame 
erected in 1853, at a cost of about $700. The lumber for it was hauled 
up from Muscatine with ox teams. It was dedicated in 1855 by Rev. 
George B. Bowman. The present membership is eighteen. The follow- 
ing have been their successive pastors: 

Rey. C. Woolsev, '55-56; Revs. Hestwood and Banford, '56-57; Rev 
Wm. Postan, '57-59; Rev. J. B. Hill, '59--61; Rev. J. Carey, '61~«2; Rev 
J. A. Wilson, '62-63; Rev. S. H. Thomas, '63-65; Rev. J. M. Coates 
'65-67; Rev. J. Wild, '67-68; Rev. F. C. Garretson, '68-69; Rev. J 
Hillhouse, '69-70; Rev. D. Murphy, '70-71; Rev. G. W. Rawlings 
'71-72; Rev. A. V. Francis, '72-74; Rev. D. C. Bevan, '74-75; Rev. R 
A. Cornine, '75-76; Rev. E. Sampson, '76-78; Rev. J. Kenyon, '78-80 
Rev. George Story, '80-81; Rev. H. F. Pugh, '81-83. 

The Church of God, was organized in 1847. The original members 
were: Jonathan Hawk, Catharine Hawk, Henry Bechtel, Susanna Bech- 
tel, John Kepford and Catharine Kepford. They have erected two frame 
churches; the first was built in 1856, and the present one in 1868, at a 
cost of $4,000. It is situated on section 12, township 80 north, range 7. 
It was dedicated Oct. 18, 1868, by Elder H. L. Soule. The pastors have 
been: E. Logue, J. L,ininger, M. F. Suavely, A. J. Fenton, D. Gill, A. Hol- 
lems, D. Wertz, A. C. Garner, J. J. Richardson, J. S. Miller, J. H. Besore 
and C. L. Wilson. The present membership is seventy. 

The Church of God discards all man-made disciplines, claiming the 
Bible alone as sufficient rule of faith and practice. They practice the 
observance of three ordinances — immersion, feet washing and the Lord's 
supper. 

Zioti Church, of the Evangelical Association, was organized in 1850. The 
original members were: David Green, Sr., Mary Green, John Green, Eliza- 
beth Green, David Green, Jr., Rachel Green, M.Albright, Anna Albright, 
Elizabeth M3^ers, Geo. Cramer and Anna Cramer. They have a frame 
church situated on section 16, township 80, range 7, which was erected 
in 1861, at a cost of $1,200. It was dedicated in February, 1861, by Sam- 
uel Dickover. Its pastors have been William Kolf, Henry Yambert, 
Henry Esh, J. Miller, A. Turntutcer, J. Schafle, D. B. Byers, J. Givens, J. 
W. More, D. N. Long, H. J. Bowman, J. Buzzard, C. H. Egge, J. Wag- 
goner, O. Long, E. F. Mell, C. W. Anthony, Wm. Clinefelter, J. H. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 751 

Grag^y, H. A. Gramley, J. E. Stauftacker; and the present pastor D. W. 
Fink. The number of present membership is seventy-five. 

Peter Long furnished the following history of the Evangelical Lutheran 
Church of North Liberty: 

The Rev. H. T. Early was the first minister. The Rev. C. Kuhl, a 
traveling missionary, preached to them for a time, and after him came the 
Rev. David Spricker, and in January, 1859, organized a church with six- 
teen members. The Rev. I. G. Shaffer came to them in August, 1859. 
The Rev. James Helsell came in 1861, and after him came the Rev. A. 
M. Tanner, in 1864, and remained until Feb. 20, 1866, and in May, 1866» 
came Rev. C. Baird and the Rev. W. J. Leslie, in June, 1869, the Rev. 
W. H. Settlemyer came in 1870, and the Rev. B. T. Hill in Sept. 1873, 
and the Rev. Loyd Knight in 1877, and left in May, 1881, since which 
time they have been without a minister, except as the Rev. Ziegler of Iowa 
City, supplies the charge. The first officers were: J. P. Vonstein and 
Peter Long, elders; and Martin Group and Jacob Bowman, deacons. 
Francis Bowman was secretary. The present membership is about 50. 
The church edifice is a frame building, erected in 1868, at a cost of 
:^3,000. They have a church organ, and the house is well furnished. 

The present officers are: Peter Long and James Gilline, elders; 
Michael Zeller and J. P. Vonstein, deacons. 

LODGES. 

IVMe Marble Lodge, No. 238, A. F. and A. M., was instituted by 
Judge Wm. E. Miller, D. D. G. M., June 2, 1868. Date of charter, 1869. 
The charter members and first oflScers were: A.J. Miller, W. M.; M. F. 
Suavely, S. W.; Jacob Zeller, J. W.; Wm. Green, treasurer; David Stew- 
art, secretary; N. W. Owens, S. D.; T. N. Roberts, J. D.; J. E. Bealer, 
S. T. McDonald, stewards. The present officers are: D. H. Abbott, W. 
M.; A. D. Findley, S. W.; J. P. Vonstein, J. W.; C. B. Wray, treasurer; 
M. F. Suavely, secretary; A. G. Runyon, S. D.; Martin Lininger, J. D.; 
Sol. Rily and Wm. Puterbaugh, stewards; W. S. Bennett, tyler. The 
present membership is forty-seven. The meetings are held in a rented 
hall. 

Penn Lodge, No. 282, I. O. O. F., was instituted September 11, 1874; 
charter dated October 22, of same year. The charter members were: 
Henry Hackett, secretary; J. Madden, N. G.; J.;Beoler, V. G.; Peter 
Eberly, E. H. Pefter. The present officers [September, 1882,] are: J. F. 
Ramsey, N. G.; H. P. Stouffer, V. G.; L. W. Alt, R. S.; J. F. Price, P. 
S.; J. W. Anderson, treasurer; H. A. White, W.; D. W. Green, I. G. 
The number of members is seventeen; meet in a rented hall. 

THE MILLER FAMILY. 

A venerable citizen of this township, Rev. Samuel Miller, Sr., was the 
father of two boys who went out from here and have made a name o^ 



752 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

honor unto themselves and the home place of their father. One of these 
sons, Wm. E. Miller, commenced as a lawyer, and finally became chief 
justice of the State. He now [1882] resides in Des Moines. Another son 
is Rev. Emory Miller, D. D., who has been a very popular pastor of the 
M. E. Church in Iowa Cit}^, but is now [October, 1882] stationed in Min- 
neapolis, Minn. The following sketch of the father of these men was 
published at the time of his death: 

Samuel Miller, Sr., was the son of Henry Miller and Rebecka Kremer, 
who were natives of Virginia. They immigrated to Somerset county, 
Pennsylvania, but remained there only one year, returning thereafter to 
Virginia. This year's sojourn in Pennsylvania, 1796, was the birth year 
of their son Samuel, hence, though of Virginian parentage he was really a 
Pennsylvanian; all the more so because his parents moved afterwards to 
the latter State when he was but seven years of age. They settled and 
remained in Westmoreland county until their family was reared and death 
ended their earthly pilgrimage. There, near and in the town of Mt. 
Pleasant, about three miles west of the most westerly range of the Alle- 
ghany mountains was spent about fifty-one years of the life just now closed. 

Westmoreland county was, during the early part of his life there, really 
a frontier border and afforded a life of robust struggle in subduing its 
gigantic forests and stony soil beset with wild beasts and wild men. Here 
he lived and wrought through the various stages of civilization from crude 
border life to the old and staid occupancy of the solid Pennsylvania burgher. 
In 1821, he married Mary Eichar, a grand-daughter of Daniel Eichar, who 
had, previous to the revolutionary war, bought Staten Island from the 
British government and colonized it from Holland, and who, dying during 
that time left the children, tossed by the vicissitudes of the revolution, to 
drift to the settlements west of the mountains, where Mary was born. 

The last seventeen years of his life in Pennsylvania v/ere spent in the 
capacity of an iron founder. In 1854 he sold his foundry and other prop- 
erty, and invested in farming lands, and settled in Johnson county, Iowa. 
In the pursuits of the farm he finished the days of his strength, when 
meeting with an accident which left him a cripple, he sold the farm and 
bought a home in North Liberty, where, within a stone's throw of the 
village church, he spent the last ten years of a bus}' life, and died April 30, 
1881, aged 84 years, 9 months, and 6 days. 

Physically, he was compact, active and strong. Intellectually, large, 
versatile, but uneducated. Morally, he was earnest and conscientious; in 
religion, positive and fervent; and his will knew not how to yield to any- 
thing but duty and death. He had been a member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church over sixty years. His understanding was clear to the last, 
and he spoke with calmness and confidence of his home above. 

Penn township has in 1882 only one post-office, North Liberty; Harry 
A. White, postmaster. 



t 



' HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 763^ 

PLEASANT VALLEY TOWNSHIP. 

PLEASANT VALLEY PRECINCT. 

July 8, 1815, Ordered, That all that part of Johnson county lying east of the 
Iowa river and south of township 79, in ranges 5 and 6 west, of the 5th P. M., 
shall constitute one election precinct, to be known as " Pleasant Valley 
precinct," and that first election shall be held at the house of Robert 
Walker in said precinct, on the first Monday in August, 1845, and that 
notice be given for the election of one justice of the peace and two con- 
stables in said precinct on the first Monday in August next. 

PLEASANT VALLEY TOWNSHIP. 

February 10, 1846, Ordered, That all that part of Johnson county lying 
south of township No. 79 in ranges 5 and 6 west, and east of the Iowa river, 
be and the same is hereby set apart as a civil township, and shall hereafter be 
known as Pleasant Valley township, and that the first election be held at 
the house of Robert Walker in said township. 

The above boundaries took in all of the territory which is now divided 
into the three townships of Pleasant Valley, Fremont, and Lincoln. See 
history of these last named townships in their own place. 

It was called Pleasant Valley township from the fact that it is a pleas- 
ant and beautiful valley lying upon the Iowa river on the east bank, six 
sections in length, and about three and one-half sections in width, and 
contains an abundance of timber and water. The nearest point to civili- 
zation from the first settlers in the valley was Bloomington (now Musca- 
tine). The women of this settlement had to prepare all the cloth used for 
clothing from the raw material. Four yards of the cloth made in those 
days was sufficient for a dress. Basques, polonaises, overskirts, and 
lengthy trains were not then essential to a dress. The men tanned their 
own leather, made their own shoes and leather pants, and did much of the 
work themselves that is now done for their descendants by tailors and 
bootmakers. 

There is but one church in this township and that is the Methodist 
Episcopal Chmxh, situated on section 23 in the southern portion of the 
township, in what is called Morfordsville. 

Mr. Clarence Weld}', the clerk of Pleasant Valley township in 1882, 
reports that he has no township records of earlier date than 1855, and 
this was ten years after Pleasant Valley appears on the county records as 
an election precinct. We have, therefore, no record of who were the first 
township officers. Mr. Weldy gives the following township statistics. 

For school purposes we have one district township, with six sub-dis- 
tricts. The school-tax of 1881 was $850 teachers' fund and $300 contin- 
gent. The equalized value of real estate was for 15,783 acres, valued at 
$141,859, being nearly $8.50 per acre. The personal property was 



754 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

729. We have eight road-districts. The road-tax levy in the several 

districts was as follows: 

Labor. Cash. 

Road-district No. 1 2 mills 1 mill 

Road-district No. 2 2| mills 1 mill 

Road-district No. 3 2 mills 1 mill 

Road-district No. 4 2 mills .... 

Road-district No. 5 2 mills . . . . 

Road-district No. 6 2 mills 1 mill 

Road-district No. 7 2 mills 1 mill 

Road-district No. S 2 mills 1 mill 

The total amount of road-tax was $510.72, being $126.78 in cash, and 
$383.94 in labor. 

The present township officers (September, 1882) are: Trustees, Alva 
Oathout, George W. Loan, and George B. DeSellem; clerk, C. Weldy; 
constable, James Long; assessor, James S. Wilson. We have no justice 
of the peace at present. 

There are two burying-grounds in the township — one on the old John 
I. Burge farm, and one on Joseph Walker's farm. Both were used in the 
pioneer days, and are still used. 

There is one post-office in the township, Morfordsville, named after a 
pioneer settler of 1837, familiarly known as "old Uncle Johnny Mofford." 
M. Smith is the postmaster. 

EARLY EVENTS. 

The very first settlements in Johnson county were made within the 
bounds of the territory now called Pleasant Valley township. The old 
trading houses were here, and many of the first comers in 1837 took 
claims in this township. See Chapter IV, Part 2, and Chapter II, Part 2, 
for many early events which transpired in this township. 

The Walker brothers settled here in 1837; Samuel and James arrived 
in May, along with Eli Myers, PhiHp Clark, Wm. Wilson and Eli 
Summy. In August of the same year Joseph Walker arrived. These 
brothers were from Portage county, Ohio. They all took claims partly 
in section 25, and partly in section 36; from this fact originated the joke 
on them — "these Walkers straddle the line." 

The first school house was a log one, built by the neighbors clubbing 
together and doing all the work themselves. It stood on the banks of 
Buck creek, on James Walker's claim, which was the southwest quarter 
of section 36. It was very near the line of Fremont township, and was 
the same one referred to in the history of that township, which see in 
another place, where the house is more fully described. Jerry Stover 
taught the first school. It was called the Walker school house. 

The first weaving of cloth done in this township is credited to Miss 
Mary Stover, who also did the first marrying in the county, and became 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. Y55 

Mrs, Benjamin Ritter. [See article on "first weddin|T, in Chapter IV, Part 
2.] But the fact is, the women of the pioneer time all wove cloth and 
made clothing of it for themselves and children, and men-folks. Joseph 
Walker says "clothing was hard to get, and we men made buckskin 
breeches for ourselves, sewing them up with whang leather." 

SOME EARLY RECORDS. 

The township clerk's records of the election held April 2, 1855, says 

there were votes cast thus: 

For Against 

Prohibitory liquor law, 4-1 54 

Hog law, •. 21 55 

Poor house, 46 9 

The township clerk records that "township trustees met at the church, 

September 9, 1855, and ordered me to exchange the paper (money) for 

gold, which I did, and it cost $1.35 on $134.00." This was in the days 

of what was known as "wild cat" bank paper money, and he was lucky 

if he got gold for it at one per cent, premium. 



SCOTT TOWNSHIP. 

February 10, 1846. Ordered., that all that part of Johnson county, 
known as congressional township number 79 north, of range number 5 
west, of the 5th principal meridian, be and the same is hereby set apart as 
a civil township, and shall hereafter be known as "Scott township," and 
that the first election shall be held at the school house near Mathew Ten 
Eyck's. 

SCOTT AND NEWPORT TOWNSHIP BOUNDARIES ALTERED. 

October 4, 1846, Ordered., that section numbers 34,35 and 36, and the 
south half of sections numbers 27, 26 and 25, of township number 80 north, 
range 5 west, be and the same is hereby attached and made a part of 
Scott township, in said county, for all civil and judicial purposes. 

On May 2, 1853, Alexander Waldron presented his petition asking that 
the northeast quarter of section 5, in township 78 north, range 5 west, on 
which he resides, be attached to Scott township. And it was thereupon 
on consideration, ordered, that the boundaries of Scott township be so 
altered as to include said quarter section. 

There is no post office in Scott township, although the Chicago, Rock 
Island and Pacific railroad runs entirely across it. The people go to Iowa 
City for mail and trading facilities. 

The most timber is in the northern part of the township. Higber's 
grove in the south-western portion of the township, on section^ 31 and 32, 
is a beautiful body of timber. The first settler in the township was Green 
Hill, who settled there in 1838; Chas. Jones came the same year; also John 
A. Street; and in 1839 John Parrott came and still lives on the same farm 
where he first settled. Isaac Bowen, Mathew Ten Eyck, John Mathews 
and Wm. B. Synder, were among those who followed soon after; and set- 



756 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

tiers have been coming and going ever since. The C, R. I. & P. R. R. 
passes through sections 19, 29, 28, 27, 26 and 25, of Scott township; they 
have no station in this township. The market for the people of this town- 
ship is Iowa City. There are three churches in this township- — the M. E. 
Church on section 8, the Presbyterian Church on section 35, and the 
Quaker Church on section 35. The first named is a brick structure; the 
other two are frame buildings. The school facilities are good; they levied 
in 1882, $1,300 for teachers' fund; no school house fund; $800 contingent 
fund. W. W. Thompson is president of the school board. The majority 
of the farmers are from Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania. 

The first church in Scott township was organized in the fall of 1839, by 
the Rev. J. L. Kirkpatrick, near what is now called the Brick Chapel, on 
section 8, four and one-half miles east of Iowa City; the persons organizing 
this congregation were: John Parrott and wife, Isanc Bowen, A. T. 
McSwain, and B. M. Home. It was a iMethodist class. May 26, 1853, a 
frame church was erected, where the present one now stands. It was 
destroyed by tire in 1855. The present church, called the "brick chapel,'* 
was built in 1855, at a cost of $1,000. The membership of this church 
has been forty, but is now about thirty. Rev. Hindman is the local 
preacher. 

Mr. Mahlon Hollingsworth furnishes the following sketches: 

In the autumn of 1868 the society of Friends having held meetings at 
the house of Mahlon Hollingsworth for about a year, concluded to build 
a meeting house. They had two sites in view, one where the Franklin 
school-house now stands, and the other where the meeting house stands; 
the sites were wild prairie at the time, and surrounded by the same. So 
the Friends decided on a day to go and view the two sites and make a 
choice of which they would build on. Aquila Whitacre, Elijah Gregg, R. 
B. Sanders, Mahlon Hollingsworth, Poakley Monday, John Welch, Jona- 
than Gregg, met and examined the grounds. They seemed to be about 
equally divided, so Elijah Gregg made a mark with his foot on the ground 
between the two sites, and they agreed to decide the matter by standing 
on each side of the mark. Elijah said he did not care which way it went, 
and he stood straddle of the mark; then there were only six left, and they 
were equall divided, but one concluded to come over, and it was thus 
decided to build where the house now stands. 

On the 27th of first month, 1869, Friends were raising a subscription to 
build a meeting house, and not make three calls around to raise the money 
as it was wanted; and about the first of the fourth month, 1869, we had 
erected wh'at we called half a house, at a cost of $433.90, including the 
price of lot to build on. Aquila Whitacre, while on his death bed, third 
month, 1876, bequeath the society $500 to build the other end of the 
meeting house, which was immediately done, superintended by Mahlon 
Hollingsworth. The house is built on the northeast corner of the south- 
west quarter of section 35, township 79, range 5. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 757 

SCOTT TOWNSHIP BEEF. 

In 1875 Mr. Leroy Rundell, of Scott township, " waked up one morn- 
ing and found himself famous," as the raiser of the best beef cattle in 
the market. Capt. H. W. Fyffe, of Iowa City, who is an enthusiast on 
all choice stock questions, investigated the matter in April, 1875, and 
obtained from Mr. Rundell the following valuable statement of his method 
of producing "gilt edge " beef, and the results: 

"November 1, 1873, I bought twenty-seven calves, the average of their 
age was about seven months, and up to that time they had run with the 
cows; they were then weaned, and I commenced feeding shorts, midlings 
and oats — equal parts — and at each feeding I gave corn in the ear, cut up 
with a spade; this was the first month. The second I left oft' the oats 
and added one-third corn meal, and the third month, corn meal and shorts, 
equal parts, and all the time some corn in the ear. I neyer allowed feed 
by them over an hour at a time, with the exception of clover hay, that 
was where they could get it at all times, as well as salt and sulphur. The 
average of their weight at seven months was 475 lbs. I sold to the 
butchers, to be delivered from April to the second of June. The average 
weight of twenty-three, at thirteen and one-half months old, was 908 lbs., 
a gain of 433 lbs. One I lost, and three I kept through the summer; 
turned them out to pasture and reduced their feed to shorts through July 
and August, then began to increase the same as in the previous winter. 
Took them to market December 22d, for Christmas. They were then 
twenty-two months old, and their average weight was 1,410 pounds. 

RECEIPTS. 

For twenty-three head, 20,884 lbs. at 5^ cts $1,148.62 

For three head, 4,230 lbs. at 6^ cts 274.95 

Total receipts $1,423.57 

Mr. Lee Thorpe of Scott township, states that in 1875, in the month of 
May, a cow on his place had a calf that had the appearance of a wolf. He 
says it had two tusks, two pointed ears that stood straight up, and when 
it attempted to bawl it made a noise like a fox; it had a large short tail 
that was hairy and bushy two-thirds of the way up, and of a whitish gray 
color; it was about the size of an ordinary dog. He says he was bothered 
by a prairie wolf that winter that played through his barn; he killed the 
wolf Jan. 25, 1875, and the cow had this calf the following May. It was 
weakly, and after feeding it for about one week he killed it. It never 
sucked the cow. 

The State Press of July 13, 1881, relates the following: A couple of 
years ago on Hon, Jno. Hindman's farm in Scott township were two mares 
with colts by their side. One of them died and left her foal motherless, 
and about the same time the colt of the other died "and the bereaved dam 
adopted the colt of her dead mate and reared it. Last week he lost 
48 



758 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

another valuable mare by an attack of colic, and she left a colt. The mare 
which two vears ago foster-mothered the orphan has no colt of*her own 
this year and was not milking, of course; but soon as the motherless colt 
began to cry she adopted it voluntarily; it began sucking her dry paps 
and the maternal fountain closed by nature opened to .affection and she is 
now giving a full feed of milk to her second foster foal and makes as much 
fuss over it as though she had borne it herself. 



SHARON TOWNSHIP. 

February 1, 1858: And now on this day comes George T. Davis, Esq., 
and presents a petition signed by himself and other citizens residing in 
township 78 north, of range T west, of the .5th P. M., asking the county 
court to form a new township for civil purposes, embracing the boundaries 
of said original surveyed township, to be called "Sharon township." And 
the court being full}- advised in the premises; therefore, it is 

Ordered by the court, that township 78 north, of range 7 west, be and 
the same is hereby organized and formed into a new civil township to be 
■called "Sharon township;" the first township election to be holden at 
Bonn's school house on section 16, in said township, on the first Monday in 
April, 1858, for the election of township officers therein. 

Josiah Griffin was chairman of the first township meeting; J. P. Rock- 
well was the first township clerk. 

The present officers are, J. J. Durst, John Butterbaugh and R.M.John- 
son, trustees; G. R. Hall, clerk; J. R. Roberts, assessor; N. B.Ford and 
T. D. Davis, J. P.; A. S. Ford and August Zager, constables. 

Sharon township is an independent school district, with nine sub-dis- 
tricts, and three directors for each sub-district. 

The road tax was four and one-half mills on the dollar on all taxable 
property for the year 1882. 

Sharon originally formed a part of Liberty and a part of Washington 
* townships, as will be seen by referring to the boundaries of those town- 
ships in difterent stages of their history. Sharon has in 1882 one post- 
office — Sharon Center, of which G. Hertlein, is postmaster. 

Thi& township has five churches — the Lutheran Church on section 16, 
with a grave-yard connected; the M. E. Church and grave-yard on sec- 
tion 22; the German Methodist Church, reported by D. W.Fnk; the 
United Brethren Church and grave-yard; the M. E. Church near George 
Hartsock's, and grave-yard near by. 

Rev. D. W. Fink furnishes the following particulars: The Sharon 
Evangelical Church was organized in 1866. The church building was 
erected in 1869, on section 22, township 78, range 7, and cost about $1,400. 
It was dedicated b}^ Rev. N. Lageshutte and others. The original mem- 
bers were: A. Schwemley, J. Repler, Merritt Schroater, Nordhaus F. 
Zager, and others. The number of members in 18b2 is about 41. The 
following have been the successive pastors: Revs. J. Bussard, D. N. 
Long, J.J. Miller, H.Cole, H. Kluzing, I.Wagoner, E. F. Mell, C. W. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 759 

Anthony, Wm. Klinefelter, J.N.Zaggy, A. J. Gramly, J. E. Stauftacher, 
and in 18S2 D. W.Fink is the pastor. 

The St. yo/ws' Church. — The German Lutheran St. Johns' Church is 
situated on section 21, township 78, range 7. The original members were: 
M. Herman, J. Memmler, F. Ratzlaff, and F. Schmidt. It is a frame 
church, built in 1875, and was dedicated by the Rev. C. Ide, of Iowa City, 
in the same year. The pastors of this congregaticn have been Rev. Hoer- 
lein Ide, Hertleir Lupp, and Rev. C. Hartman. The number of member- 
ship in 1882 is sixty. The congregation built a fine little parsonage, but 
it is not occupied at present, for the reason that the congregation is not 
able to support a resident preacher, and they are supplied from Iowa Citj^ 
by the Rev. C. Hartman, who supplies three charges in Johnson county. 

The Sharon Cheese and Butter Association was organized as a joint 
stock company, and began operation June 18, 1881. The officers are: 
G. R. Hall, president; T.D.Davis, vice president; J.J. Marun, secretary; 
J. R. Roberts, treasurer; superintendents, J. O. Spencer and wife. 

The main building is a frame 28x48, two stories high. The work room 
and engine house is a frame building 16x32, one story high. In the work 
room chop feed is ground, and cheese boxes are made. The engine is a 
ten horse power, manufactured by Tulloss & Co., of Iowa City. The 
capacity for working up milk into cheese is 8,000 lbs. per day. The fac- 
tory opened with 600 lbs. per day; and from June 18th to Oct. 30,1881, 
the average per day was about 1,200 lbs. The largest amount of milk 
received any one day was 3,000 lbs. 24,000 lbs. of cheese was made in 
the factory from June 18th to Oct. 30, 1881. Capital invested $3,000; 
$1,400 of it was for machinery. They had not made any butter at this 
factory up to November, 1882. 



UNION TOWNSHIP. 

CHANGE OF BOUNDARY OF UNION TOWNSHIP. 

On March 6, 1854, Gotlieb Kossler presented a petition asking a change 
in the boundary lines of Union township, Johnson county, " so that sec- 
tions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 in township 78 north, range 7 
west, (except southwest quarter of section 7,) be made a part thereof. 
And therefore the court being duly advised in the premises, do order that 
the boundary lines of Union township shall be as follows, to-wit: com- 
mencing at the northeast corner of township 79 north, range 7 west, thence 
south to the southeast corner of section 12 in township 78, range 7 west, 
thence west on the section line to the southwest corner of the southeast 
quarter of section 7, township 78, range 7, thence north to the center of 
section 7, thence west to the range line between ranges 7 and 8 west, 
thence north on said range line to the northwest corner of township 79, 
range 7, thence east to the place of beginning, and that the territory of 
land included in the bounds as above, shall hereafter constitute the town- 
ship of Union. 



760 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Complete record of the origin and many changes of boundary of Union 
township was not found. Part of it at one time belonged to Clear Creek, 
part to Liberty, and another part to Washington townships. [See the 
history of those townships.] 

The first settlement made in this township was in 1889, and among the 
first settlers were James Sehorn, John Davis, Allison Davis, Gallatin 
Hartsock, Ed. Carson and A. H. Humphrey. In traveling over the township 
the e3^e rests upon some beautiful farm houses and fine orchards on nearly 
every quarter-section of land. The county poor farm is located in this 
township, on section 13, and is under the control and management of 
William Mullen, superintendent. The school tax levy for 1883 was $1,300 
for teachers' fund, and if^BOO for contingent fund. The president of the 
school board is D. D. Jones. This township is well supplied with good 
iron bridges. 

In 1873 there was, in Union township, a lodge of Good Templars, called 
"Cambria Ludge No. 592 I. O. G. T." David A.Jones was then the 
worthy chief templar, and Thomas D. Roberts the worthy secretary. No 
further particulars were obtained concerning this lodge. 

There is no post office in Union township. Its people go mostly to 
Iowa City for mail and other business. 

The State Press of September 23, 1882, said: Mr. Rowland Reese, of 
Union township, on Monday marketed 69 fat hogs, averaging 323 pounds, 
for which he received $8.10 per hundred from Mr. Goodrich, fetching in 
the handsome sum of $1,782.96. 

November 9, 1881, the following item appeared: A freak is reported 
from the farm of Mrs. Sehorn in Union township, in the shape of a totally 
hairless calf. This calf is eight weeks old, perfectly formed, of a brown- 
ish color. It acts like other calves and seems to have the promise of a 
long life. It is the property of Mr. John Justice and he should provide a 
coat, cap and stockings for it that it may withstand the winter, for it may 
make a valuable addition to some standard show or museum. 



WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 

February 10, 1846: "Ordered, that all that part of Johnson county- 
contained in the following bounds, to wit: Commencing at the southwest 
corner of the county ; thence north on the county line to the center of 
township 79 north, range 8 west, thence east to the center of town- 
ship 79 north, range 7 west, thence south to the county line, thence 
west to the place of beginning, shall constitute one civil township, to be 
known as "Washington township," and the first election shall be held at 
the house of Wm. Fry, in said township. 

The above boundaries took in the south half of Hardin, the southwest 
one-fourth of Union, and the west half of Sharon. The other half of 
what is now Hardin township was afterwards taken from what was then 
Clear Creek township and added to Washington, as will be seen by the 
following order of the county board: 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 761 

October 4, 1847: "Ordered, that the north half of township 70 north, 
ran^e 8 west, be and the same is hereby attached to, and shall herenfter 
be known as a part of Washington township, in said county, for all civil 
and judicial purposes." 

Washington township is located in the extreme southwest corner of 
the count}^; it is bounded on the north by Hardin township, on the east 
by Sharon township, on the south by Washington county, on the north by 
Iowa county. It is a congressional township of 36 sections and 36 square 
miles. 

The first settlements made in this township was in 1839. Among the 
early settlers we find, John Fry, Jacob Fry, Wm. Fry,James ShafT, Henry 
Rogers, Robt. Roup, T. R. Fry, John Graham and John Buckinghed. 
The township is thickly settled, and has many fine farm houses. There 
are a great many Germans in this township; they are well-to-do and hard 
working citizens. They make their farms produce all they possibly can 
raise; they are orderly and well behaved; they have fine farms, good 
buildings, and plenty of stock. They are quite up with the average 
farmers, and take great interest in owning fine horses, cattle and hogs. 

Mr. Peter Kettles, clerk of Washington township furnishes the follow- 
ing statistics: The township was organized in 1846. The first trustees 
were Titus R. Fry, Edward R. Carson and Wm. H. Fry; and the first 
clerk was Smiley H. Bonham. This is according to the old records of 
1846. There are nine independent school districts in the township. The 
equalized value of real estate in the township last year (1881) was valued 
at $268,274; the personalty is $116,498. There are nine road districts in 
the township. The levied road tax in 1881 was three mills; the total 
amount of road tax was $1,154.31. The present officers of the township 
are: D. F, Rogers, S. C. Palmer and Isaac Graham, trustees; Peter 
Kettles, clerk; James W. Oldaker, assessor. 

There are in 1882 two post-offices in Washington township — Amish 

and Frank Pierce. Mr. Charles Yoder is postmaster at Amish, and 

Elias Fry at Frank Pierce post-office, which is also called Frytown. Each 

of these postmasters also keeps a store. 

This township is an independent school district, with nine sub-districts; 

and the following statistics are given for 1882: 

Sub. President. Teachers School house Continge t 

Dist. fund. fund. fund. 

No. 1. Elias Fry $100 . . . .'None levied $50 

No. 2. Allen DeFrance 140 " " 60 

No. 3. J.W.Graham 140 " " 90 

No. 4. Jacob B. Miller 100 $125 " 60 

No. 5. John Wagner 175 None " 50 

No. 6. Moses Kemp 150 " " 60 

No. 7. C. P. Brunneman 120 .. . " " 30 

No. 8. S.W.Ford 156 " " 24 

No. 9. P. Swartzendruber 90 " " 30 



762 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

THE old-man's creek STORY. 

Mr. W. F. Smith of Washington township, relates how the name of 
" Old Man's Creek " originated. He says they called it Pa-pa-io see-po\ 
but some other old settlers give it as Push-i-to-see-^o. Mr. Smith says this 
creek was their hiding place for their old men, women and children, wiien 
the braves went oft" " on the war path." The Musquakies and other Sac 
and Fox tribes were at mortal enmity with certain Sioux tribes on the 
headwaters of the Iowa river, and beyond. And when the Sac and Foxes 
were ready to make a foray on their up stream enemies they would send 
their non-combatants out onto Papato creek for concealment, in case they 
should be worsted in the fight and be pursued down the river by their 
victorious enemies. In Liberty township, about four or five miles up the 
creek from its mouth, and then about a mile from the creek there is a 
high knoll of land between the creek and the river; from the top of this 
knoll both streams can be seen; and also the surrounding country for a 
great many miles. This place is called the " Indian lookout," and formed 
a way mark to reckon localties from in its neighborhood by the early set- 
tlers, but had been used by the Indians to watch for their returning war- 
riors coming down the river with good or bad news, or with enemies pur- 
suing, and communicate it b}' a short run of a mile or two to the home 
camp, when the canoes would have to go eight or ten miles farther around 
by way of the streams. Mr. Smith's theory is that the name Papato (or 
Pushito, or Peshito, as some give it) was a combination of Indian words 
meaning simply "old and young," without any distinction of man or woman 
— and simply meant a place of safety or concealment for the old men who 
could not go to war, and the children. Yet with their meagerness of 
language and narrowness of ideas, it is altogether likel}' that " old man " 
or " old men " would bejthe dominant and foremost element of the name or 
expression, and the idea in their minds with regard to it. 

There is another story current of an " Old man living on the creek," 
sometime, somehow, somewhere, but nobody could tell anything certain 
about it, and it seemed so vague, misty and improbable that this historian 
rejects it as wholly apochryphal. Mr. Smith's explanation has at least 
the merit of practical probability and common sense to it, and hence we 
give it the preference. i\ll this southwest part of the county was orig- 
inally called Old Man's Creek precinct. 

Note. — Since the above was furnished to the printers, Mr. D. W. 
Wood reports that the " Indian Lookout " is on the Etzel farm, near Jerry 
Stover's, or about on the line between West Lucas and Liberty townships. 
This is a little more definite, but not different from the location as given 
above. 



Biographical Sketches. 



SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD, of Iowa City, Was born in Hartford 
county, Maryland, December 20, 1813; received a limited education at 
the Academy of John McLeod, in Washington City; removed to Rich- 
land county, Ohio, in 1835, and studied law there; was admitted to the 
bur in 1843; was elected prosecuting attorney in 1845 and again in 1847; 
was in 1850-51, a member of the convention that formed the present con- 
stitution of the State of Ohio. Removed to Johnson county, Iowa, in 
1855; was elected to the State Senate jin 1856; was elected Governor in 
1859 and again in 1861; was in 1863 nominated by President Lincoln and 
confirmed as minister to Denmark, but declined the appointment; was in 
1866 elected to the United States Senate to fill the unexpired term of Hon. 
James Harlan; was in 1875 again elected governor of Iowa, and resigned 
that office January 31, 1877; was elected in January, 1876, to the United 
States Senate as a republican, to succeed George G. Wright, republican. 
His term of service would have expired on March 3d, 1883, but on March 
8, 1881, he resigned his seat to accept the position of Secretary of the 
Interior in President Garfield's cabinet. In consequence of the death of 
President Garfield and change of administration, he retired from the cabi- 
net April 17, 1882. When the war for the union commenced in 1861, 
Mr. Kirkwood was engaged with his brother-in-law, Ezekiel Clarke, in 
operating the large flouring mill at Coral ville; but he at once gave his 
entire attention and energies to the war business of the state. Among 
all the men who held high positions at that time, none stand to this day 
in greater honor and reverence in the green remembrance of the nation 
than this same "War Governor" of Iowa. Mr. Kirkwood was married, 
December 27, 1843, to Miss Jane Clarke, whose father moved at an early 
day from Washington county, Pennsylvania, to Richland counLy, Ohio, 
where she was born. She is a sister of Hon. Ezekiel Clarke, ot Iowa 
City; also sister to Mrs. Col. E. W. Lucas, of Iowa City, and the late 
Mrs. Wesley Redhead, of Des Moines. Mr. and Mrs. Kirkwood have 
had no children born to them, but raised an adopted son, Samuel Kirk- 
wood Clarke, who was adjutant of the 25th regiment Iowa Infantry; was 
shot through the knee at the battle of Arkansas Post, January 11, 1863. 
The surgeons, hoping to save his leg, did not amputate, as would have 
been the safer way under the circumstances; for he lingered in extreme 
suftering and died of the wound, at St. Louis, February 20, 1863. It is 
only in the rarest of cases that so severe an injury at the knee joint can 



764 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 



make a good recovery even in civil life, where the patient has the very 
best of nursin^r and surgical attention; and in the conditions of army life 
such a recovery was well nigh a practical impossibility. But the surgeons 
did what seemed best in the haste and excitement and inexperience of the 
time; and probably in accordance with young Kirkwood's wishes, also, 
for he naturally would not wish to have the leg amputated if there seemed' 
any possible hope of saving it. But in this, as in almost every other simi- 
lar case in the war time, the hope, looking fair for awhile, proved 
delusive at last. The noble boy wished to save his leg so he could go 
back to his post of duty, which he could not do if it was amputated; but 
it was not to be so; and his name is enrolled in the nation's galaxy of 
martyr heroes, who died for the cause of the Union, and human rights in 
all the ages. 

THEODORE SUTTON PARVIN was born January 15, 1817, in 
Cumberland county. New Jerse}^ His father loved 'the blue above and 
the blue beneath,' and in his younger days was a seafaring man, and was 
the commander of a vessel for a number of years. As his father's calling 
took him much from home, the early training of Theodore fell mainly to 
his mother, a devoted christian lady, of the Presbyterian faith. In Novem- 
ber, 1829, he removed with his father's family to the city of Cincinnati, 
Ohio, and soon afterward entered Woodward College, at that place, where 
he soon distanced all competitors, especially leaving some of the foremost 
a long way behind in mathematics. In the fall of 1833, having success- 
fully and meritoriously passed through the college course, he commenced 
to be 'learned in the law' with Hon. Timothy Walker, afterward judge of 
the superior court. Uniting the benefits of office study with the more 
illustrative teachings of the school, he entered the Cincinnati Law School, 
from which he was graduated in 1837, and immediately admitted to prac- 
tice. In the spring of 1838, Robert Lucas, who had been governor of 
Ohio, was appointed by President Van Buren governor of the young ter- 
tory of Iowa. Lucas, on his way from his home in the interior of Ohio to 
assume his new office, tarried a while in Cincinnati, to purchase a territo- 
rial library, and, as may be supposed, to re-stock his carpet-sack with 
shirts and collars; for Iowa was then in tiie far, uncertain, and uncultivated 
west, as distant from haberdashers and gentlemen's furnishing estabhsh- 
ments as from books and libraries. Of course the old and new governor 
had friends in the metropolis of Ohio, and was a lion among them. At 
the tea-table of a mutual friend of the governor (one of whose practical 
mottoes through life ever was, that the first impulse was the best, and the 
first decision most correct), met young Parvin, and was so struck with the 
manners and conversation of the youth that he nominated him off-hand as 
his chief-of-stafi; like Napoleon promoting a soldier for good behavior on 
the field of battle. Parvin accepted the post of private secretary, and 
accompanied the governor to Burhngton, then temporary capital of Iowa. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 765 

The stern governor, from that day to his death, never regretted having 
chosen the stripling lawyer as his confidential secretary, and never fal- 
tered or wavered in his affection for him. He retained the office of gov- 
ernor's secretary until the governor promoted him to that of prosecuting 
attorney for one of the three districts into which Iowa was then divided, 
when he took up his residence at Muscatine, at that time known as Bloom- 
ington. He was the prosecuting attorney of the first district court ever 
held in Johnson county — held by Judge Joseph WiUiams, in the "Gilbert 
Trading House." At the end of two years he resigned the position of prose- 
cuting attorney, to be elected for three consecutive terms judge of the pro- 
bate court. Previous to this he had held the office of secretary of the leg- 
islative council, during the session of 18i0-'41. Upon the organization of 
the United States District Court for the district of Iowa, Judge Parvin was 
appointed its clerk, a position he held for ten years, embracing the entire 
term of Judge Dyer's service, and until the latter's death, in 185.5. In 1856, 
Judge Parvin was elected register of the state land office; therefore, in the 
second year of Judge Lowe's term on the United States District Court 
bench, he resigned the clerkship of the court. Indebted to the public 
school system of Ohio for a liberal education, it is no wonder that Mr. 
Parvin has always been an enthusiast in the cause of education. He brought 
order out of chaos to the free schools of Muscatine when the present school 
code was adopted in Iowa, serving as president of the school board of 
that city. At the initial steps for the organization of the State University, 
in 1854, the legislature recognized the value of his counsel and experience 
in educational affairs, by electing him one of its trustees. He was again 
elected trustee by the board of education, 1858, but resigned the next year, 
upon his election as "Curator and Librarian," a compound title, which was 
accompanied by all the powers of president of the University, except title, 
as "Lord Protector" meant king with Cromwell. But at the end of 1859 
a president de nominie as well as de facto was appointed, and Mr. Parvin 
exchanged the title Curator and Librarian for that of "Professor of Natural 
History," which chair he held for eight years. We find him, during his 
University career, at different times filling various chairs — those of Geology, 
Physical Geography, Botany, Physiology, Zoology, Meteorology, and Polit- 
ical Economy — besides teaching such branches as Ancient and Modern His- 
tory, Ancient Geography, History of Modern Civilization, etc., which do not 
seem to have been considered sufficiently abstruse of themselves to entitle the 
teacher thereof to the title of Professor. Sometimes he filled two or three 
chairs at a time; for whenever a chair jwas temporarily vacant, through 
sickness or unavoidable absence of its proper occupant, the Professor, 
whose varied information supplied every deficiency was at hand and the 
constant word was, "Send for Parvin." Political Economy was the last 
chair filled by Prof. Parvin. In May, 181:3, Prof. Parvin was married to 
Miss Agnes McCully, They have six children, two daughters and four 
sons, the eldest daughter and eldest son being married. The elder daugh- 



766 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

ter was one of the first three ladies to take the degree of A. B. in the State 
University, and, so far as we know, they were the first females to take 
this degree in the United States. In 1850, Prof. Parvin united with the Pres- 
byterian church, in which body he is as honored and useful as in any 
other walk of life. For long years he was the superintendent of the Pres- 
byterian Sunday School in Muscatine, and when he removed his resi- 
dence to Iowa City the same position was thrust upon him here, and he 
holds it still, by virtue of the relentless decrees of pastor, elders and schol- 
ars. Besides acting as an ofiicer in the school board of Iowa City, Prof. 
Parvin served for a short time as Superintendent of Schools for Johnson 
county, to which office he was elected without solicitation, by his political 
opponents, which is a tribute to worth, the simple statement of which is 
more valuable than a studied eulogy, pronounced in the most honeyed 
rhetoric. While serving as Superintendent, his visits lent new attractions 
to the school room. The little girls and boys would carry to their parents 
at home the pleasant words of encouragement that Mr. Parvin said, and 
be anxious to hear him again. Prof. Parvin was one of the institutors of 
the State Historical Society, in January, 1857, serving as a member of the 
first and subsequent boards of curators, until December, 1863, when he 
was elected corresponding secretary, to which latter office he was re-elected 
in 1864 — his second term expiring in December, 1865. In 1865 he was 
again elected a member of the board of curators, and in 1866 one of the 
vice-presidents of the society. During the two years he was correspond- 
ing secretary he edited the Annals of Iowa. He has always been, since 
its establishment, an active friend and liberal benefactor of the society. 
Prof. Parvin's residence has been in Iowa City since 1860. In early life 
an accident entailed upon him permanent lameness, which turned his incli- 
nations away from outside sports and out-of-door occupations toward the 
cultivation of letters and the study of books. It is thus that what appear 
at the time the greatest misfortunes and calamities, are often, under Heaven, 
converted into blessings for us, and the sources of happiness. Prof. Par- 
vin was one of the founders of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Iowa, which 
was organized January 8, 1844. He was elected grand secretary then, 
and has served the order in that capacit}^ ever since — a period of over 
thirty-eight years; he was made grand master one year, but also did the 
duties of grand secretar}^ at the same time. He has taken every degree 
pertaining to the order of Masonry, from the lowest to the highest known 
in this or 2iny other country. He was the father and founder of the Ma- 
sonic Grand Lodge Library, the first one of its kind in the United States, 
having been commenced in 1844 with nine volumes of Masonic literature 
donated by himself. This library has grown steadily ever since, under 
his personal, watchful, and unceasing care, and now numbers about 
15,000 volumes. As it is an Iowa City institution, a sketch of it will be 
found among the Masonic statistics of Iowa City. 



HISTORY OF JOH>SON COUNTY. 767 



STATE UNIVERSITY FACULTY AND INSTRtJCTORS. 

JOSIAH L. PICKARD, A. M., L. L. D., President of the State Uni- 
versity of Iowa, and instructor in Civil Polity, was born March 17, 1824, 
in Rowley, Essex county, Massachusetts. He was married Aug. 24, 1847, 
to Miss Cornelia Y.C. Woodhuil, daughter of Prof. Woodhull of Rutger's 
College. He h^s twice received the degree of L. L. D., the Chicago 
University and college at Beloit, Wisconsin, both conferring upon him 
that honor he so richly deserves. He educated himself for college at the 
academy in Lewiston, Maine. He entered Bowdoin College, Brunswick, 
Maine, and graduated in September, 1844. He taught in the public 
schools in Minot, Maine, in the winter of 1842 and '43. In 1844 he took 
charge of the academy at North Conway, New Hampshire, and in Decem- 
ber, 1845, he came to Elizabeth, Jo Daviess county, Illinois, and taught 
school until November, 1846. We next find him in 1846, at Plattsville, 
Grant county, Wisconsin, in charge of a re-organized academy of live 
students, and when he left in 1859, the number attending was nearly 200. 
Dr. Pickard was selected by the board of regents of the S. U. I. for presi- 
dent, and entered upon his duties as such in June, 1878. He was elected to 
the State Superintendency of Wisconsin in 1859, and twice re-elected; 
resigned in 1864 and became Superintendent of Schools of Chicago, 
annually re-elected for thirteen years, resigning in 1877. His efibrts and 
labors in behalf of the institution have proven a grand success, and the 
position of honor, profit, and trust placed in his hands by the board has 
been faithfully administered. The State University has prospered under his 
management, and now ranks among the best educational institutions in 
America. It has proven to be the " Athens of Iowa." 

SAMUEL CALVIN, A. M., Professor of Natural Science and Curytor 
of the University Cabinet of the State University, was born February 2, 1840, 
in Wigtonshire, Scotland. His parents came to America and settled in 
Saratoga county. New York, where they resided for four years, and then 
located in Buchanan county, Iowa. He was connected with Lenox Col- 
lege, Hopkinton, Iowa, from 1864 to 1869, as Professor of Natural Science. 
In 1869 he accepted the position in one of the Dubuque schools, and lived 
in that city until 1874, when he was elected to his present postion in the 
S. U. I. He was manied in 1865 to Miss Louisa Jackson of Hopkinton, 
Iowa. He served as a faithful soldier in the 44th Iowa Infantry in 1864. 
He is one of the instructors of the State University that seems to be very 
popular among the students. A republican in politics. 

ELMER F. CL APP, M. D., Professor of Anatomy in the State Univer- 
sity, was born the 10th day of April, 1843, in St. Lawrence county. New 
York. He was educated at the Normal University ot Bloomington, Illi- 
nois, entering that school in 1858, and remained there until April 23, 1861. 



768 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

When the war broke out he enlisted in the Eleventh Regiment oflUinois, 
and served, a faithful soldier, during the entire war, and was honorably- 
discharged in November, 1865. He graduated from Bellevue Hospital 
Medical College in March, 1870, having attended the Ann Arbor Medical 
College in 1867-68. He commenced the sudy of Medicine in the army, 
and when discharged entered the office of Dr. Rosseau in Washington, 
Iowa. He was appointed professor of anatomy of the S. U. I. in Sep- 
tember, 187J, which position he has filled with credit ever since. He 
retained his office and practice at Washington, Iowa, until 1873, when he 
settled in Iowa City and began the practice of medicine and surgery in 
Johnson county. He was secretary of the faculty in 1873. He 
is attending surgeon and president of the board of directors of Mercy 
Hospital of Iowa City, and it was due to the united eflbrts of Dr. Shrader 
and Dr. Clapp that the hospital was established. He is a member of the 
Iowa City, the Johnson County, the Washington County, the District, and 
the State Medical Societies, and of the American Medical Society. 
A republican in politics; he was a member of the city council m 1880-81; 
a member of the board of health and health officer in 1881; is the presi- 
dent of the Republican Publishing Company; has been president of the 
board of trade of Iowa City since 1878. He is surgeon for the C, R. I. 
& P. railroad, also surgeon for the B., C. R. & N. railroad; a member of 
all the Masonic bodies in Iowa City and of the Knights of Pythias of Iowa 
City. He was married December 19, 1877, to Mrs. C. M. Barrett of 
Wapello, Louisa county, Iowa. 

AMOS. N. CURRIER, A. M., Professor of Latin language and Lit- 
erature, State University of Iowa, residing in Iowa City; was born Oct. 13, 
1832, in Canaan, New Hampshire. He is a graduate from Dartmouth 
College in 1856. He was elected in 1857 as Professor of Ancient Lan- 
guages in the Central University of Iowa, and remained in that position 
until 1861, when he enlisted as a private in the 8th Iowa regiment volun- 
teer infantry, and was with it in all battles in which it was engaged, until 
April, 1862, at Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, he was taken prisoner. He 
was released in June, 1862. He then entered the service as commis- 
sary of the 11th regiment Missouri volunteer cavalry, and was with it 
until the end of the war in 1865, when he returned and took his position 
in the aforesaid university, and remained in that position until elected to 
his present position in the State University of Iowa in 1867. He was mar- 
ried September 0, 1S68, to Miss Celia A. Moore, of Brighton, Iowa. He 
in company with Prof. Parker visited Europe in 1875. He is the author 
of a book entitled "Latin Suffixes." Independent republican. 

ALLEN C. COWPERTHWAITE, M. D., Ph. D., Professor of 
Materia Medica, and Diseases of Women in the Homeopathic Medical 
Department, and Dean of the Faculty, State University, a resident of Iowa 
City was born May 3, 1848 in Cape Ma}-, New Jersey. He came with his 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 769 

parents to Illinois while quite youn^. He is a graduate of Toulon Semi- 
nary in 1865. He graduated irom the Hahnemann Medical College at 
Philadelphia, March 3, 1869. He located at Galva, Illinois, and practiced 
medicine for tive years, and moved to Nebraska City. He took an active 
part in organizing the homeopathic profession in Nebraska, and was the 
recognized leader of that school of medicine. He received the degree of 
doctor of philosophy from the Central University of Iowa in 1876, and 
that year became the author of a w^ork on " Insanity in its Medico-Legal 
Relation." He was elected to the chair of mental and nervous diseases 
in his "alma mater," and had accepted the position when notified of his elec- 
tion to his present position in the State University in 1877, which he 
accepted. He becaine author of a work on Materia Medica in 1880 that is 
used as a text-book in all homeopathic colleges in Europe and America. He 
was married June 20, 1870, to Miss Ida Erving, of Oskaloosa, Iowa. He is a 
prominent member of the I. O. O. F. of Iowa City; republican in politics; 
member of Baptist Church; an honorary member of a large number of 
local and state medical societies, and is prominently connected with the 
American Institute of Homeopathy, the national organization of homeo- 
pathic physicians. 

CHARLES A. EGGERT, A. M., Ph.D., Professor of Modern Lan- 
guages and Literature, State University of Iowa, residing in Iowa City; 
was born Oct. 1, 1835, in Magdeburg, Saxony, Prussia. He was educated 
at the Universit}^ at Berlin, also graduated at Heidelburg, taking the 
degree of doctor of philosophy in 1870, after which he spent two years 
studying art, principally in Italy. He took several courses of lectures 
while in Paris. He traveled in the summer of 1859, in England, and 
came to America in the fall of that year. His brother, in company with 
the professor, bought land in Delaware county, Iowa, and farmed, but 
with no great prosperity attending these labors. He was a soldier in the 
late civil war, enlisted in the 6th Iowa Cavalry, 1862, but owing to an 
accident in which he received injuries, after six months of monotonus 
army life, left the ranks and commenced teaching in the high school at 
Davenport. He was ten months a book-keeper in the Muscatine Natior-ial 
Bank in 1864. He was elected to his present position in the State Uni- 
versity of Iowa, in February, 1865. He was married in 1867 to Miss Sophy 
M. French, of Muscatine. He received the degree of master of arts 
from Princeton College in 1867. He visited Europe in 1876. Is known 
as one of the most ardent admirers of H. C. Carey's system and theory 
of political econom}'. 

STEPHEN N. FELLOWS, A.M., D. D., Professor of Mental and 
Moral Science and Didactics, State University of Iowa, residing in Iowa 
City; was born May 30, 1830, in North Sandwich, N. H. His parents settled 
in Dixon, Illinois, in 1834, and by the death of his father in 1840, the 
family was left in reduced circumstances, and he was compelled to strug- 



770 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

gle with the cold charity of an unfriendly world. At eighteen years of 
age he entered Rock River Seminary at Mt. Morris, Illinois; in 1851 he 
entered Asbury University at Green Castle, Ind.; in 1854 received the 
degree of Batchelor of Arts. He taught Latin and mathematics during 
his junior and senior year. Before he graduated he was elected pro- 
fessor of mathematics and natural science in Cornell College, at Mt. Ver- 
non, Iowa, which position he held for six years. He joined the Upper 
Iowa Conference of the M. E. Church in 1850. In 1867 he was elected 
to his present position in the State University of Iowa. He received the 
degree of D. D. from Cornell College in 1871. He was married March 13, 
] 856, to Miss Sarah L. Matson, daughter of Dr. S. G. Matson, of Anamosa, 
Iowa. This union is blessed with six children, four living, two sons and 
two daughters. A prominent member of the Masonic fraternity; a repub- 
lican in politics, and a very active worker in the temperance cause. 

GUSTAVUS HINRICHS, A. M., M. D., professor of Physical Science 
and Director of the Laboratory, State University of Iowa, residing in Iowa 
City; was born December 2, 1836, in Lunden, Holstein, Germany. He 
graduated from the Polytechnic school, Copenhagen, Denmark; came to 
America in 1861; was teacher in the Davenport high school until the fall 
of 1862. He entered the State University of Iowa as teacher of modern 
languages in the fall of 1862; was elected Professor of Physics and Chem- 
istry in 1863. His entire time is devoted to the department of chemistry 
and natural philosophy. In 1875 he began issuing the Iowa Weather 
Service reports. The State recognizes the value and importance of this 
work, and makes a small appropriation to pay expenses in connection 
with the service. He is the author of many valuable works on Physics, 
Chemistry and Mineralogy, besides treats on various subjects of great 
value to the student. 

C. M. HOBBY, M. D., the lecturer on Opthamalogy and Otology, 
demonstrator of Anatomy and Curator of the Medical Museum in the 
medical department in the State University, a practiciug physician in Iowa 
City, and one of the curators of the State Historical Society, was born 
October 16, 1848, in Schenectady, New York. His father died in 1850, 
and his mother made her home with his grandfather. Philander Mead, in 
Genoa, one of the early physicians in central New York, having begun 
practice there in 1811; he died in 1852, and the mother of Dr. H. con- 
tinued to reside in the old homestead with her brother. Dr. Nelson Mead, 
and the Dr. H. you see in Iowa Cit}^ has always been acquainted with 
dead men's bones from his earliest infancy. He attended Moravia 
Academy, New York, in the fall 1862, and continued there until 1866. 
He commenced the study of medicine under his uncle, January 1, 1867, 
and after attending for three years Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New 
York City, graduated March 1, 1870. He came to Iowa in 1872, 
and commenced the practice of medicine at Wilton, Iowa, he was there 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 771 

but a short time when he went back to his old home, and was married in 
June, 1874, to Miss Mar}^ L. Parker, of Pittsfield, Mass., an old school 
mate of his at Moravia Academy. He returned to Wilton, Iowa, in April, 
1875, and was appointed lecturer in the medical department S. U. I. in 
1875, and demonstrator of anatomy in 1876, at which time he moved to 
Iowa City. He is a member of the Johnson County Medical Society, and 
of the State Medical Society, and secretary of the Iowa Academy of 
Sciences. He is one of the attending surgeons of Mercy Hospital of Iowa 
City. He is a member of various beneficial and charitable institutions of 
Iowa City. A democrat in politics. He is health officer for Iowa City ior 
1882. 

NATHAN R. LEONARD, A. M., Professor of Mathematics and 
Astronomy and Dean of the Collegiate Faculty, State University; was born 
in Nov., 1832, in Franklin county, Ohio. He resided at his birth place nea r 
Columbus, Ohio, until he was 11 years of age; his youthful days were 
spent on a farm. He came with his parents to Burlington, Iowa, in 1844 ; 
he graduated from the Presbyterian College at Kossuth, Iowa, in 1857, 
in the first class sent out from this institution ; he was a resident graduate 
of Harvard during the winter of 1857-58, attending the lecturers of Pro- 
fessor Pierce, an accomplished mathematician. He was a teacher of 
mathematics from 1854, in the college he graduated from, until 1857; he 
taught mathematics and natural science from 1858 to 1860 in the 
Yellow Springs College at Kossuth. He was elected to his present 
position in the S. U. I. in 1860, which position he has held continually 
since. Mr. Leonard was president pro tern of the S. U. I. from the spring 
of 1866 until the beginning of the fall term 1868, and acted in that capac- 
ity for 1870, during the time intervening the retirement of president Black 
and coming in of president Thatcher. He is a faithful and devout mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church of Iowa City, and represented the Pres- 
bytery of Iowa City at the General Assembly at Madison, Wisconsin. 
He was city civil engineer from 1871 to 1874, and from 1878 to 1881. Mr. 
Leonard w^as married August 25, 1853, to Miss Elizabeth Heizer, of 
Kossuth, Des Moines county, Iowa. This union is blessed with five chil- 
dren, Levi O., Minnie E., Charles R., Frank M., and Maggie. A mem- 
ber of the A. O. U. W. No. 4, of Iowa City; a republican in politics, and 
his first presidential vote was for Fremont. 

EMLIN McCLAIN, A. M., resident Professor of Law, State University 
residing in Iowa City, was born Nov. 26, 1851, in Salem, Ohio. He 
came with his parents to Tipton, Cedar county, Iowa, in 1855. He 
graduated from the S. U. I. with the class of 187L He taught in the 
Iowa City Academy, owned and conducted by his father during the year 
1872, and prepared himself and took the degree of A. B., in 1872. He 
attended the law department S. U. I., and graduated in the class of 1873. 
He entered the law office of Gatch & Wright, of Des Moines, as clerk 



772 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY 



and stenographer in 1873, and remained in that capacity until 1877, in the 
mean time serving two terms as clerk of the Senate committee on claims 
in Congress, Senator Wright being chairman, 1875-76-77. Mr. McClain 
was married February 19, 1879, to Miss Ellen L. Griffiths, of Des Moines, 
Iowa. He is the author of McClain's Annotated Statutes of the State of 
Iowa, published in 1880, a work highly appreciated by the legal profession. 
He was elected resident Professor of Law in S. U. I., and moved to 
Iowa City, September 1, 1881. 

MRS. ADA NORTH, the present Librarian of the State University, was 
born in 1841, in Alexander, New York. She is the daughter of Rev. M. N. 
and Mary K. Miles. She graduated from the Ohio Female College near 
Cincinnati, in 1859. She was married September 12, 1865, to Mr. George 
J. North, at Geneseo, 111.; he died in 1870. Mrs. North was appointed 
State Librarian and served in that office from 1871 to '78. She was 
appointed Librarian of the S. U. I. in 1879. The students find her an 
obliging librarian. The vast experience she brought with her to the pres- 
ent responsible position is of great importance in helping the anxious, 
weary and over-worked student to dig out from the vast store house of 
> knowledge she controls, such facts as will aid in smoothing the rugged 
pathway of the verdant mind. 

LEONARD F. PARKER, A. M., Professor of Greek Language 
and Literature and History, and Instructor in Comparative Philology, State 
University, a resident of Iowa City; born August 3, 1825, in Arcade, New 
York. He graduated from Oberlin College with the degree of A. B. in 1851. 
He taught school in Pennslyvania after leaving college, until 1856. He 
came to Iowa and settled in Grinnell in that ^-ear, and was a teacher in the 
public school for three years, and was elected Principal of the Prepara- 
tory Department of Iowa College and acting President. He was elected 
Professor of Ancient Languages in 1861, and remained in that position 
until 1870, when he was elected to the position in the University he now fills. 
In 1868 he was elect'ed representative from Poweshiejc county one term. 
While a member of the Board of Regents he was instrumental in giving 
two free scholarships for the State University in each county. He traveled 
in Europe in 1875 in company with Professor Currier. He was married 
at Oberlin, Aug. 21, 1853, to Miss Sarah C. Pearse. This union is blessed 
with one child, Harriet J., a graduate from the University, class of 1879, 
and was a teacher of Greek and German until her marriage with Mr. 
John Campbell, a graduate of the University, class 1 877, A. B., and class 
of 1879, L. L. B. He is a member of the Congregational Church of 
Iowa City; a republican in politics. 

P. H. PHILBRICK, M. S., C. E., Professor of Civil Engineering, State 
University, a resident of Iowa City, was born March 8, 1839, in New 
York state. He was educated at Tafton Seminary, Grant county, 
Wisconsin. He was a soldier in the civil war from 1861 to 1865^ 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 77S 

entered the army in the 20th regiment, Wisconsin Vol. Infantry. 
After the war he entered the Michigan University and graduated 
from both the scientific and engineering departments in 1868. From 
that time he was engaged continually in the work of engineering in 
Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, principally on railroad work, until 1873 he 
was elected to his present position in the S. U. I. He was appointed 
city engineer in 1874, and served as such until 1878, and was again 
appointed in 1881, and is at present the city engineer of Iowa City. He 
was married August 14, 1862, to Miss Malah P. Brackett, of Grant 
county, Wis. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, 
also of the American Society for the Advancement of Science. 

LEWIS W. ROSS, A. M., Resident Professor and Chancellor of the 
Law Department in Iowa City, was born October 27, 1827 in Butler 
county, Ohio. He graduated from the Miami University of Oxford, Ohio, 
with the degree of A. B., June 24, 1852. He was admitted to the bar of 
Butler county after reading law two years in the office of Judge Josiah 
Scott & McFarland, and opened an office in Hamilton, Ohio, and practiced 
law until the fall of 1856, when he moved to and settled in Lewis, Cass 
county, Iowa, and engaged in speculation that did not prove a grand suc- 
cess, and in June, 1858, opened a law office in Lewis, where he continued 
to practice law until January, 1861, when he settled in Council Bluffs, 
Iowa, and practiced law in the State and Federal courts. He was elected 
to the Iowa State Senate in 1863 and served four years. He was married 
July 12, 1855, to Miss Zoe M. Brown, of Lebanon, Ohio, daughter of the 
Rev. Simeon Brown. This union is blessed with five living children. He 
was elected to the chair of resident professor of law, State University, and 
moved to Iowa City, and in June, 1881, was promoted to the position of 
chancellor of the law department, which position he now holds. 

MRS. PHEBE SCOFIELD, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, 
State Universit}', a resident of Iowa City, was born Nov. 29, 1835, in Chili, 
Union county, New York. She came to Iowa, and settled in Davenport 
and began teaching in the public schools of that city in 1863, and con- 
tinued in that city teaching until 1874, when she came to Iowa City to 
teach in the State University, and continued as an instructor until 1880, 
when she was elected to the position of assistant professor of mathematics. 

JOHN C. SHRADER, M. D., and A. M. Professor of Obstetrics 
and Diseases of Women in the Medical Department of the State University 
of Iowa, and practicing physician and surgeon in Iowa City; senior 
partner of the firm of Shrader & Little; office in the opera house block, 
on Clinton street, near the Palace Hotel. Was born April 24, 1830, in 
Washington county, Ohio. He settled in Linn county, Iowa, in 1855, and 
49 



Y74 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

engaged in farming and stock-raising. In 1857 he assisted in organizing 
Western College in Linn county near Shueyville, Johnson county, and 
was a teacher in that institution, and under Dr. Crouse & Dr. Parmenter 
he resumed the study of medicine. He attended medical lectures in 
Brooklyn, and was but fairl}'- established in his medical profession when 
Governor Kirkwood recognized in him the proper spirit and element for 
a captain in the Union army, and gave him a commission for the Twenty- 
second Iowa. He served in General Fitz Henry Warren's staff as pro- 
vost marshal general of the state of Texas in 1864. On his return to his 
regiment he was commissioned surgeon, May 1, 1864, with the rank of 
major, and was one of the operating surgeons of the second division, 
nineteenth army corps, and after the battle of Winchester, Virginia, he 
had charge of a general hospital at that place. When he was mustered 
out of the service at the close of the war, his comrades presented him 
with a complete set of surgical instruments. On the several cases is 
engraved the following: "Presented to surgeon John C. Shrader, by 
the officers and men of the Twenty-aecond Regiment Iowa Infantry, in 
appreciation of his skill as a physican and surgeon, and as a tribute of 
love and esteem from his comrades in arms." After the war he entered 
upon his profession in Iowa City. Upon the organization and opening 
of a Medical Department to the State University of Iowa, he was chosen 
to the chair he now occupies. He is attending surgeon at Mercy Hos- 
pital, and was very active in establishing that institution. He is a 
member of all the medical societies of the city, county, state and nation, 
and a prominent member in all the Masonic bodies in Iowa City, and of 
various other secret societies. He is a republican in politics, and has been 
honored by his party with the office of State senator, to which he was 
elected in 1879, in democratic Johnson county, over his opponent to the 
office, John P. Irish, the most aggressive and fearless democrat in Johnson 
county, by a majority of seventy-three votes, and was a very prominent 
candidate for Congress in 1882, and partially to repay him for the gallant 
and successful fight he made for senator in a democratic county he ought 
to have received the nomination He was married in Januar}^ 1852; his 
wife dying in December, 1871, and in September, 1872, he married Miss 
Margaret A. Carter, of Iowa City. He received the degree of A. M. at 
Western College, June 20, 1877. 

MISS SUSAN F. SMITH is the lady that fills the Chair of English 
Language and Literature and teaches German in the State University ot 
Iowa. She came to that honorable position at the request of the Board of 
Regents, in the spring of 1881, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the res- 
ignation of Miss Sudlow. The subject of this sketch was born May 31, 
1849, at Glasgow, Missouri. She graduated from the St. Louis high 
school in 1867. In 1873 she traveled extensively in Europe, where she 
learned to speak the French, German and Italian languages. She filled 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 775 

the chair of Modern Languages and Literature in Pritchett School 
Institute, Missouri. She is a lady of no ordinary ability in drawing and 
painting. 



CYRUS ABBOTT, Sr., farmer and stock-raiser; was born on the 
21st day of December, 1817, in Worcester county, Massachusetts; is the 
son of Cyrus C. and Polly Abbott, descendants of England. The subject 
of this sketch was, on the 20th day of September, 1839, married to Ann B. 
Newton, of the same county and State he was born in. They have four 
children living: Mahlon S., born January 19, 1843; Charles N., July 4, 
1847; Cyrus W., May 19, 1850; George A., March 3, 1854. Mr. Abbott 
learned the trade of shoemaking. He moved to Wilksboro, Pennsylvania, 
where he engaged in the wholesale manufacture of boots and shoes for 
three years. He then moved to Carbondale and followed his trade four 
years. Then went into the livery business and followed that for ten years. 
In 1857 he came to Iowa and bought land in sections 19 and 22. He now 
resides on section 22, and follows farming and raising cattle and hogs. 
In the winter of 1857, while crossing the river on the ice he broke through, 
and had it not been for his two sons, Mahlon and Charles, with the aid of 
a rope, would have been drowned. In 1870 he ran a steamboat from his 
timber to Coralville, He also has a saw-mill which he runs in winter. 
He is a republican in politics, and voted for the amendment. 

SAMUEL F. ADAIR, farmer, residing in Cedar county, just across 
the line, post-office, Oasis. He lived in Graham township so long, and 
still takes a lively interest in the welfare of his old neighbors that he thinks of 
returning again into Graham township. He was born in 1838 in Penn- 
sylvania, leaving there in 1854; he lived one and a half years in Ohio, and 
then settled in Graham township, Johnson county, Iowa, in 1856. He was 
married in 1873 to Miss Sarah Harrison, of Graham township. This 
union is blessed with four Hving children. He moved into Cedar county 
in 1877, and will move back into Johnson county as soon as he can make 
arrangements to do so. 

E. M. ADAMS, farmer. Cedar township, post-office, Solon; was born 
in Maine, September 7, 1811, where he lived until he was fifteen years of 
age; then his father, John E., moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he lived 
until 1838, when he came to Iowa and resided in Muscatine county one 
year, and in 1839 moved to Johnson county, where he has since resided. 
He owns 425 acres of land, and has his home farm well improved. In 
1849 he took the gold fever and went to California, but only remained 
there one year. He was married, April 9, 1836, to Sally Gleason; she 
dying in June, 1837, leaving one son, Decatur C, now living near Council 
Bluffs. He was again married. May 3, 1840, to Henrietta Lyon, daughter 
of John Lyon, and a native of Pennsylvania, this being the first marriage 



776 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

in Cedar township. By this union there are two children: John L. and 
LilHe, now Mrs. Herbert S. Fairall. 

JAMES M. ADx\MS, farmer, Cedar township, post-office, Solon ; was 
born in Cuyahoi^a county, Ohio, October 28, 182S, and is a son of John 
E. and Sarah Adams, natives of Maine. He lived in Ohio until 1846, 
and then came to Iowa and settled on the farm he now lives on, where 
he owns 138 acres of land. In 1852 he went to California and remained 
there three years, engaged in mining. He was married, July 14, 1855, to 
Miss Sophia Dudley, a daughter of William Dudley, who came to this 
county in 1812. They have nine children: Ada P., Lydia E., Eva C, 
Henrietta, Jennie B., Emery D., Eugene M., Eben W. and Harry P. 
Mr. and Mrs. Adams are members of the M. E. Church. 

JOHN E. ADAMS, proprietor Maple Avenue farm, Cedar township, 
post-office, Solon; was born in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, September 15, 
1833, and is a son of Capt. John E. and Behnda Adams, they being natives 
of Maine and also pioneers of Ohio, where the subject of this sketch 
spent his early hfe and followed farming and the dairy business, selling 
milk in Cleveland for several years. In 1863 he removed to Putnam 
county, Ohio, and invested in wild lands and buying and selling stock, 
and remained there nine years, and in 1873 came to Iowa and settled in 
Johnson county, and now owns 359 acres of fine land, a fine residence and 
improvements, having a beautiful location. He pays special attention to 
raising and feeding stock, and also breeds thoroughbred Short-Horns. 
He was married, December 1, 1859, to Jemima Powell, a native of Portage 
county, Ohio; she is a daughter of Henry and Cynthia Powell. Mrs. 
Powell, whose maiden name was Crooks, was the first white child born 
in Trumbull county, Ohio, and the second on the Western Reserve, being 
born in 1799. They had six children, three now living: Cora J., Ethie 
L. and Harry D. Mr. Adams and wife are members of the Church of 
God. 

MOSES ADAMS, farmer and stock-raiser. Cedar township, post- 
office, Solon; was born in Oxford county, Maine, November 2, 1815. 
When eleven years of age his parents, John E. and Sarah Adams, emi- 
grated to Ohio and settled in Cuyahoga county, where they lived eleven 
years, and in the fall of 1838 moved to Illinois, and came to Johnson 
county in April, 1839, moved into Cedor township the spring of 1841, and 
has since then lived in the township. He has. a fine farm of 366 acres 
and a comfortable home. He raises considerable stock and some thor- 
oughbred Short-Horns. Mr. Adams was married January 9, 1859, to 
Sarah J. Keislar, a native of Columbiana county, Ohio, and came to John- 
son county in 1851. This union has been blessed with six children: Cora, 
Mary, J. Quincy, Myron D., Otto M. and Harriet E. 

CIPERIAN AICHAR, farmer, Newport township, post-office, Iowa 
City; was born September 26, 1827, in Wittemberg, Germany. Settled 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 777 

in Johnson county in the fall of 1854. He was married, November 4, 
1856, to Miss Elizabeth Encrlebert. This union is blessed by three child- 
ren: Josephine, Frank and Henry. He is a democrat in politics; voted 
against the amendment; is a member of the Catholic Church. 

GEORGE ALBIN, Scott township, farmer and stock raiser; born in 
Harrison county, Virginia, in 1805. Moved to Ohio 1815, and in 1827 
moved to Indiana, where he lived until 1842, when he came to Iowa and 
settled in Cedar county on Sugar creek, and lived there ten years; he 
then moved to Iowa City, and lived there three years, and from there he 
moved to Scott township, where he now lives. Mr. Albin was married 
in 1848, in Cedar county, to Miss Anna Messick, of Cedar county, daugh- 
ter of Geo. Messick, of Indiana. Has nine children living, five boys 
and four girls, three of which are married. Mr. Albin carried the first 
mail between Davenport and Iowa City in 1851. He at first carried it 
on horseback, and after he established a stage line and carried by team; 
carried it until after the C. R. I. & P. R. R. was finished. There was 
at that time but two houses between Cedar river and Iowa City. He 
afterward carried mail between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. 

IRA J. ALDER, was born July 15th, 1844, in Union county, Ohio; 
came to Iowa in 1856, and settled in Iowa City in September, 1863. Ad- 
mitted to the bar in January, 1869, and has practiced law in Iowa City since. 
Studied law under Judge W. E. Miller, of Iowa City. Left the State 
University and read law one year under the Hon. Rush Clark, and then 
went into Judge Miller's office. He was married June 8th, 1882, to Miss 
Julia Buttles, youngest daughter of the Hon. J. B. Buttles of Iowa City. 
A member of the Episcopal Church of Iowa City; a republican in politics. 

SAMUEL ALLOW AY, a farmer, residing in Madison township, 
post-office, Shueyville. Was born July 20,1849, in Huntington county, 
Pennsylvania; came to Johnson county in 1856, and settled in Madison 
township on section 38, and owns a farm of 120 acres of land and the 
Anderson stone quarry, in Jefferson to wnship, near the Roberts ferry 
bridge. He built a new lime kiln with a capacity of 300 bushel. He 
furnishes the Amana colonies with lime and they buy their stone at his 
quarry. He was married July 20th, 1869, to Miss Mary E. Vonstein. They 
are blessed with four children: Samuel J., Francis M., George W., and Oscar 
H. He is a member of the United Brethren Church, and a member of 
Penn Lodge No. 289, I. O. O. F., at North Liberty, and is a democrat in 
politics. The Anderson quarry was opened up 1862; it was first opened 
up near McCollister creek; it contains seven acres. Some beautiful fossil 
specmens are found at this quarry. 

JACOB H. ALT, farmer, post-office North Liberty; was born April 
19, 1813, in Jefferson county, Virginia; from there his father moved to 
Clark county, Ohio, where he died. In 1837 Jacob H. Alt went to Hen- 



778 hitJTorv of johnson county. 

derson county, Illinois, where he was married September 28, 1837, to 
Miss Mary Wein, daughter of George Wein. Their family consists of 
ten children, seven of whom are living: Sarah, Eliza J.,'L. W., Milton H., 
Charles D., and Arthur E. Those dead are, Maria, George W., and May 
E. Mr. Alt moved to Iowa in the fall of 1840 and settled in Johnson county, 
where he now resides, on section 17. His farm consists of 330 acres, 
well adapted for stock raising and producing crops of all kinds. On his 
farm is located the Wein burying ground. Mr. Alt and wife are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Church, he being the class leader for many years 
at North Liberty church. 

JOSEPH A. ALT, farmer, post-office North Liberty. The subject of 
this sketch was born February 12, 1817, in Jefferson county, Virginia; 
the son of Jacob and Mary Alt, from whence his parents, when he was 
only three months old, moved to Ohio, where he was raised on a farm. 
He came to Iowa in 1839, then a single man, and settled in Johnson 
county, where he now resides; on section 8, township 80, range 6. On 
the 25th day of January, 1848, he married Miss Eliza Kepford, daughter of 
John Kepford, and to them have been born seven children; six of whom 
are now living: Alice M., (wife of Maj. J. A. Pickler, of Muscatine), 
Albert J., Kate E., George J., Elly M., and Roily H.; John W., deceased. 
Mr. Alt and wife are members of the M. E. Church, and are always ready 
to lend a helping hand in any good cause. A man well informed; and 
by his industry and economy, is possessed of a splendid farm of 218 acres. 
He came near being killed in 1840 while felling a tree. Has a splendid 
orchard, and everything around him to make home comfortable. 

ROBERT ANDERSON, farmer, post-office. Lone Tree; was born in 
Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, October 12, 1813, where he spent 
his life until 1855, when he came to Johnson county, and settled in Fre- 
mont township, where he now resides, and owns 120 acres of land. He 
has been married three times, first to Hannah Beazel, in February, 1834; 
she dying, March 1, 1849. The second time to Polly Budd, in April, 
1850; she dying September 21, 1864. He was married to his present 
wife, Mary Dick, September 1, 1865; all three being natives of Westmore- 
land county, Pennsylvania; there is one boy, Charles E., by the last mar- 
riage. Mr. Anderson has been a member of the Methodist Church since 
1830, and a very hard and earnest worker tor the cause of Christianity. 
He was one of the first to organize a church in the south part of this 
county. 

LEVI ANDERSON, (deceased); was born in Huntingdon county, 
Pennsylvania, September 7, 1815. Was the son of Samuel and Mary 
Anderson. Was raised on his father's farm and educated in the common 
schools. March 2, 1840, he was married to Miss Permelia Clajiper, of 
Bedford county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Jacob and Mary Clapper; to 
them were born twelve children, seven now living: Mary E. Evens, 



i 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 779 

William C, Susan, George C, Martin, Levi Jr., and Margaret J. He fol- 
lowed milling two years, and then farming in Pennsylvania, taught school 
in winter a term or two. In 1853 he came to Iowa and settled in Johnson 
county, first in Penn township; he then purchased 240 acres in Jefferson 
township, in section 21, 162 acres in section 22, in all 402 acres, where he 
followed farming and stock-raising until 1878, when he divided his land 
with his children, except 40 acres, on which he resided until his death, 
which occured August 13, 1881, aged 66 years, 11 months, and 26 
days. He was a member of the United Brethren Church. Held the 
office of clerk, assessor, justice of the peace, and county supervisor from his 
township. His widow lives on the old homestead, with her son Martin. 
She was born May 10, 1819, in Bedford county, Pennsylvania. 

GEORGE ANDERSON, farmer, Madison township, post-office 
North Liberty, son of John A. and Catharine Anderson ; was born in Bed- 
ford county, Pennsylvania, December 28, 1847. When he was six years 
old his parents came to Iowa and settled in Johnson count}^, where he was 
raised on a farm. April 12, 1871, he married Miss Sarah E. Green, 
daughter of David and Rachael Green, now residents of Cass county, 
this State. Thf'y have four children living: John E., Charles J., Iva M. 
and Fern O. Mr. Anderson owns 160 acres of well improved land in 
section 15, where he is engaged in farming and raising stock. He and 
wife are members of the Church of God, he being one of the present 
deacons; he is a Democrat in politics, and a strictly temperance man. 

JOHN A. ANDERSON, (deceased); was born in Bedford county, 
Pennsylvania, December 16, 1823; was the son of Samuel Anderson. He 
learned the carpenter trade, and worked at that and cabinet making. 
While in Pennsylvania, June 22, 1845, he was married to Miss Catharine 
Hoover, daughter of John and Anna Hoover. To them have been born 
six children, four of whom are living: Ann, George, Joseph W., and 
Susan J. In 1853 he came to Iowa, and settled in Johnson county. He 
worked at his trade for ten years; from that time up to his death farmed 
most of the time, working some at his trade. He died May 3, 1879, aged 
55 years, 4 months, and 7 days. Mr. Anderson was a faithful member of 
the Church of God; served as deacon several years; filled the office of 
county supervisor, township trustee, and other offices of trust. His widow 
resides in the old homestead, with her son Joseph. 

GEORGE W. ANDERSON, Jefferson township, post-office Shuey- 
ville; was born in Washington county, Maryland, May 13, 1816. His 
parents moved to Burday county, Virginia, when he was quite young. 
When he was six years old his father died, and he went back to Mary- 
land. At the age of twenty-one he went to teaming across the Alleghany 
Mountains, followed that for four years. On the 3d day of August, 1843, 
he was married to Miss Delila Trout of Washington county, Virginia. To 



780 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

them have been born ten children, nine of whom are Hvincr; Albertis, 
William R., Sylvester, Oburn, Elizabeth V., Oterbiri, Theodore B., 
Georore W. and Iowa. In ISiS he moved to Augusta county, Virginia, 
lived there until 1863, when he came home to Iowa, where he has since 
that time lived. He owns a farm where he resides in section three, also 
owns land in Dakota. He embraced religion forty years ago, and united 
with the U. B, Church, of which he is still a member. He'has held the 
ofRce of trustee and other offices of the township. 

GEORGE ANDREWS, a citizen of Iowa City, born April 3, 1807, in 
parish of Keith, Scotland; came to America in March, 1841, and settled 
in Iowa City the same year in April. He was in the mercantile trade for 
a number of 3^ears, and in 1855 opened the Clinton House, that stood on 
the lot upon which now stands the stately opera house of Iowa City. He 
run that hotel about seven years and sold the hotel to the banking com- 
pany, and it then passed into the hands of Clark & Hill in 1866, and they 
built the opera house. He was married in 1830 to Miss Jannett Skinner, 
of Scotland. She died in 1855. They had a family of ten children, and 
those living are Jessie, the wife of H. Kelley; Robert, G. M., George 
L., Lizzie and John S. He married his second wife April 3, 1857, a Miss 
C. B. Barker, of Fredonia, New York, and by this marriage they have 
three children living: Frankie, Isabella R. and Charlie K. He is indepen- 
dent in politics, and an old abolitionists. He is a member of the Presby- 
terian Church, and retired from business. 

O. ANDREWS, farmer, section 9, Graham township, near Morse sta- 
tion, post-office, Morse; was born in 1826, in the State of New York. 
Came to Johnson county, Iowa, and settled in Newport township (now 
Graham) in 1854, and has made that same place his home since. He was 
married, in 1852, to Miss Sarah Sheppard, of Pennsylvania. This union 
is blessed with three children; one child married. 

WILLIAxM ANDREWS, farmer, Graham township, post-office, 
Morse; was born in 1849, in Pennsylvania. Came to Johnson county, 
Iowa, and settled in Graham township in 1860. He was married, in 1876, 
to Miss Charlotte L. Morse, a daughter of E. K. Morse, an old settler 
and founder of Morse station m Graham township. This union is blessed 
with three children; two are dead and one living. 

JOHN W. ANDRLE, saddler and harness maker, post-office. North 
Liberty; was born Dec. 6, 1856, in Bohemia, is the son of John and Chris- 
tina Andrle. He came with his parents to America in August, 1867. 
They reside in this county. John W. worked on a farm a few years, 
learned his trade in Cedar Rapids. He then came to North Liberty, 
January, 1881, and started in business. In the summer of the same year 
he bought of H. B. White, a half interest in a grocery store; he continued 
in this business, working at his trade until this last spring, he sold his 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 781 

interest in the store to Mr. White, and bought of Mr. J. F. Price his 
interest in the North Liberty steam saw and sorghum mill, known as the 
George & Price Mill, now George & Andrle, doing sawing and making 
molasses and grinding feed. He still runs his harness and saddle buisness, 
has a good trade, often employs two workmen. He is also of the firm of 
Andrle Bros., inventors and manufacturers of the three horse draft equalizer, 
which was patented 15th of March, 1881; which is said to be the best. 
He was married October 18, 1881, to Miss Katie B. Zak, of Cedar Rapids. 
John is energetic and we predict for him a brilliant future. 

ORVILLE G. B ABCOCK, farmer and postmaster, post-office. Chase ; 
was born on the 16th day of May, 1822, in Springfield, Erie county, 
Pennsylvania. Is the son of Joab and Mary Babcock; he was raised on 
a farm. In 1812 he came to Iowa and settled in Johnson county on section 
32, where he now resides. May 14, 1848, he was married to Miss Julia 
A. Steele of this county. To them have been born thirteen children, 
twelve are living: John S., Mary E., Amanda, Alice V., Milton, Orville 
L., Ellen, Eleanor, William H., Charles W., James G., Daniel W. Mr. 
Babcock owns 600 acres of land where he lives, well improved and well 
stocked, with seventy head of cattle, 17 horses, sixty-five hogs and over 
200 sheep. He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church. He is a 
republican in politics, a member of White Marble Lodge, No. 238, A. F« 
& A. M., holds the office of township trustee, and is the first and present 
postmaster of Chase. 

CHARLES BAKER, a resident of Iowa City, and engaged in the 
practice of law as senior member of the firm of Baker & Ball, office on 
Washington street; was born January 18, 1843, in Saratoga county. New 
Jersey. He was married in 1867, to Miss Caroline Blackwell. He began 
the practice of the law in Marengo, Iowa, in 1866, and came to Iowa City 
that year, at the May term. He was a soldier in Co. I, 4th regiment, Wis- 
consin volunteer infantry, enlisiing April 15, 1861, and was discharged in 
1865. He was in the secret service in command of a company of scouts 
the last year of the war; was taken prisoner and sent to Fort Tyler, Texas, 
where he was when he was discharged. He is a democrat in politics. 

GEORGE T. BAKER, a resident of Iowa City, and the junior mem- 
ber of the firm of Tanner & Baker, hardware merchants, doing busi- 
ness on College street. Was born July 9th 1857, in Iowa county, 
Iowa. He graduated from Cornell College in 1879; came to Iowa City 
that year He was married march 27th, 1879, to Miss Clara J. Poole, of 
Ithica, N. Y. This union is blessed with two children, Ethiel and Geor- 
gia. He is a member of the College Societ}^ called the "Beta Theata 
Phi." This firm is composed of young men of wonderful energy, good 
business qualifications, and very popular with all classes. It is evident 
that their united efforts are being crowned with success. 



782 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

WILLIAM H. BAKER, farmer, Monroe township; post-office, 
Homestead, was born November 26, 1826. Is the son of Sqnire S. 
Baker, one of the early settlers of Iowa, a native of Marion county, Ohio, 
where William was boVn. From there they went to Indiana, thence to 
Michigan, and from there they came to Iowa in 1837, and first settled in 
Muscatine county. Seven 3'ears later he moved to Johnson countv, and 
settled in Monroe township, in section 20, where William now resides. 
On the 24th day of April, 1862, he was married to Miss Olive J. Barnes, 
of Johnson county, Iowa. To them was born six children, four living; 
Bertha J., Charles E., Myrtle E., and Grace M. Mr. Baker owns 188 
acres of land, and follows farming and stock-raising; is a republican in 
politics; voted for the amendment, and is a member of the Evangelical 
Church. 

MARION BAKER, merchant, Lone Tree; was born in Cedar county, 
Iowa, January 10, 1843. Is a son of Nathaniel Baker, who came to Iowa 
from Ohio in 1836. Martin Baker, grandfather to the subject of this 
sketch, was the first preacher in the central and western part of the Black- 
hawk purchase, and held the first meeting in his cabin in July, 1836, near 
where Rochester is now situated. Never before had the sound of prayer 
and praise broken the stillness of the forest, unless it was the songs of the 
birds that was oliered as a tribute to the glory of the Great Architect, 
Marion's father being a druggist, he also learned that business, and has 
since followed it exclusively until the last few years. In 1877 he came to 
Pleasant Valley township and lived on his farm one year, but owned a 
store in Lone Tree in partnership with his brother, and moved here in 
1878, and has since bought out his brother and is now carrying a fine 
stock of dry goods, groceries and drugs, and is also engaged in the sale 
of agricultural implements, and still owns 130 acres of well improved land. 
He was married October 10, 1867, to Sarah E. Harding, of Keokuk, Iowa. 
They have five children : H. Ulysses, Carrie R., Proctor T., Preeda N. and 
Cecil H. Mr. and Mrs. Baker are members of the Reform Church. 

GEORGE W. BALL, attorney-at-law, Iowa City, was born June 17, 
1847, in Jefi'erson county, Iowa. He graduated from the Law Department of 
the State University of Iowa in the class of 1870. He began the practice of 
law in December, 1870, at Des Moines, and came to Iowa City in August, 
1871. He was married January 1, 1880, to Miss Estelle E. Walter of 
Indianola, Iowa. He is a member of the Masonic bodies of Iowa City. 
He is alderman from the fifth ward, chairman of the finance committee, 
and takes a very active part in the welfare of the city. He was the demo- 
cratic candidate for judge in the judicial circuit and district in 1882. 

JAMES W. BANE, farmer, post-office, Iowa City; the son of Robert 
and Sarah Bane; was born on the 11th day of November, 1839, in Mer- 
cer county, Illinois. His parents came to Iowa when he was two years 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 783 

old and settled in Johnson county, four miles below Iowa City, from there 
moved to the city and lived one year and a half; then moved to this town- 
ship, where they have lived to the present time. James W. has followed 
farming all his life, with the exception of three years that he spent in 
defense of his country. On the 5th day of August he enlisted in the 22d 
Iowa, under Capt. Robinson, company I. He was engaged in the follow- 
ing battles: Champion Hill, Black River Bridge, assault on Vicksburg, 
Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek. At Vicksburg he received 
a slight wound on the right shoulder; he also, while charging the enemy, 
in jumping a ditch fell and injured his back, from which he is troubled 
ever since. On the 28th day of January he was married to Miss Nancy 
A.Stewart, daughter of Robert and Anna T.Stewart. They have three 
children living: Mandie M., Burt S. and Earl T. He is a member of the 
A. F. and A. M., also of the Legion of Honor. 

JOSEPH BARBORKA, made a watch 18i pennyweight, m a solid 
gold ring, stem winder and stem setter, plate of silver, full jewel, a perfect 
watch, I of an inch in diameter and a No. 12 ring, the depth of the watch 
from dial plate base of works ^ of an inch, the same number of pieces as 
in any watch ; was made in Bohemia in 1872. He made a clock that ruus one 
year without winding up but once in the year. He made the clock on Dos- 
tal's brewery. Mr. B. is a practical silversmith, and was born Sept. 2, 1839, 
in Bohemia. Came to America in 1874, lived in Chicago two years, 
then settled in Iowa City and opened a jewelry store on Dubuque street. 
No. 21 ; he also keeps organs and pianos. He was married, June 15, 1863, to 
Lydia Dusanek, of Bohemia. They have six children living: Augusta 
v., Thomas, Rosa, Joseph, Minnie, Bertie. He is a member of Kos- 
ciusko I. O. O. F. lodge No. 6; is independent in politics, and voted against 
the prohibitory amendment. Made a town-clock. 

LYMAN BARTLETT, farmer, Cedar township, post-office, Solon; 
was born in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, January 24, 1826, and is a son of 
Seth and Rebecca Bartlett. He spent his early life in his native county 
on a farm, and also worked at the carpenter trade. In May, 1854, he 
came to Iowa and settled on the farm he now owns, paying $2.25 per 
acre for it. His farm consists of 166 acres of fine improved land. He 
enlisted in company D, 24th Iowa, August 6, 1862; was taken prisoner at 
Cedar Creek, Virginia, October 19, 1864, and held a prisoner until the 
following March. He was married, October 23, 1849, to Francis A. E. 
Clark, a native of Massachusetts. They have four children: William, 
Lyman S., Edwin and Frank S. 

JAMES BEECHER, farmer and stock-raiser, section 28, Graham 
township, post-office, Morse; was born in 1832, county Cork, Ireland, 
son of Patrick and Margaret Beecher, of Cork county, Ireland. Came 
to America in 1856, and lived six years in New York; settled in Graham 



784 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

township in 1861. He was married, in 1862, to Miss Mary Riley, of John- 
son county, Iowa, This union is blessed with six children^ three boys 
and three girls. The family are members of the Roman Catholic Church. 
He is a democrat in politics. 

JOHN K. BERANEK, Iowa City; was born May 9, 1842, in Bohe- 
mia, Europe. He came to America in 1856, landed in Baltimore, Mary- 
land, and came to Iowa City in October of the same year. He went to 
Oregon in 1860, and returned to Cedar county, Iowa, in 1866, and farmed 
there until 1869, when he came to Iowa City and engaged in business. 
He was a traveling salesman in 1877 and '78. He was married, March 
22, 1871, to Miss Mary Vyvoda, of Iowa City. This union is blessed 
with three children: Premis O., Bozena B. and Libusa. He is a demo- 
crat in politics. He was elected alderman, March 5, 1877, from the third 
ward, and was trustee of Iowa City township in 1871, '72 and '73. He 
is now first assistant chief of the fire department. He helped organize 
the Protection Fire Company, and has been ten years a member of the 
said company. He is a recognized leader among his Bohemian friends 
as well as enjoying the confidence of a large circle of friends. 

JAMES BERRY, a resident of Iowa City, and engineer of the State 
University ; was born in Ireland in 1 824 ; came to America in 1854 ; settled in 
Johnson county in 1858. He has been engaged at his present occupation 
of engineer since he came to Iowa City, and has been the engineer at 
the State House for seven years. He was married Thanksgiving day, , 
1856, to Miss Sisk, a native of Ireland. The family are members of the 
St. Patrick's Church of Iowa City. They have four children living: 
Daniel, William, Lizzie and Hannah. 

A. W. BEUTER, farmer; postoffice, Solon; was born in Muskinghum 
county, Ohio, May 16, 1836, where he hved until 1848, when he emigrated 
to Iowa with his parents, Joseph and Anastsia Beuter, and settled in Big 
Grove township, where his father died January 24, 1873. Here he has 
spent his life, with the exception of two years he was in Missouri. He 
now owns 132 acres of fine land. Mr. Beuter was married May 3, 1870, 
to Margaret A. Williams, a native of Chester county, Pa. They have 
two children living: R. Wayne and Mary G. 

ISAAC BEEM,the only hotel keeper in Tiffin, was born June 15, 1817, 
in Clinton township, Knox count}^ Ohio. He settled in Johnson county in 
Tiffin, in 1879, and erected the building in which he now resides, and has 
kept a hotel ever since. He was married Nov. 7,1839, to Miss Elizabeth 
Shineberry, of Knox county, Ohio; she died December 10, 1853, of con 
sumption; this union was blessed with three children: William, who died 
at thirteen years of age, Mary R., wife of Rufus Stinger, she died of 
consumption August 21, 1870, leaving four children, Cora E., Elnora, 
Myrtle K., and Isaac N., who have been under the watchful eye of the 



HISTORV OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 785 

^randfiither and mother ever since. The third child of Mr. Beem, Miss 
Jennie M., married Charles Brooks, of Tiffin, Iowa, and she died of con- 
sumption May 27, 1876. Mr. Beem married for his second wife Miss 
Katherine Stinger, December 11, 1856. Is a democrat in politics, and 
voted against the prohibitory constitutional amendment. 

MARTIN BIRRER, a farmer, residing in Liberty township; post- 
office, Bon Accord. Was born November 12, 1842, in Alsace, France, 
[now Germany]; came to America in 18-15, and settled in Liberty town- 
ship the same year. He was married November 12, 1867, to Miss Kris 
tenia Brockman, of Liberty township. They have eight children : Mary 
S., Romaine F., Agnes G., Frank P., Mary M., Pelayia A., Josephine C, 
Mary H . They are members of the Catholic Church at Riverside. Mr. 
Birrer is a democrat in politics; has held the office of justice of the peace 
from 1866 to 1874; was on school board from 1874 to 1881, and is the 
present township clerk. 

T. H. BLACK, farmer, post-office, Oxford; was born in Guernsey 
county, Ohio, June 4, 1830, where he spent his early life on a farm. 
In 1858 he went to Coles county, Illinois, where he lived two years, 
then returned to Ohio, and in 1865 went to Peoria county, Illinois, 
and lived two years, then came to Johnson county, where he now owns 
95 acres of land. He was married March 19, 1862, to Ellen George, 
also of Ohio. They have seven children: Mary R., William S., Milton 
G., Joseph R., Ida E., Alvin G, and Jesse S. 

WILSON BLAINE, the present efficient Superintendent of the Schools 
for Johnson county, whose post-office address is Iowa City; was born 
March 27, 1848, in Jeflerson township, Johnson county, Iowa. He attended 
school and acquired his education in Iowa City. He was elected Super- 
intendent and entered upon his duties as such in January, 1880, and has 
held that position continuously ever since. He held the office of assessor 
of Monroe township for six years; has been clerk of that township a num- 
ber of years; also secretary of the school board. He married the daugh- 
ter of Graham Thorn, an old settler of Monroe township. He is a demo- 
cratic in politics. 

LEON BLOOM, a clothing merchant in Iowa City, doing business on 
Clinton street; was born January 3, 1841, in Westhoffen, France. He 
was a soldier in the French army, by draft, and served two years as a 
non-commissioned officer. He bought the last five years of military duty 
for $500, and came to Iowa City in July, 1864. He was married Oct. 20, 
1874, in Chicago, Illinois. He is a member of the firm of Hon. M. Bloom 
& Co., and is perfectly devoted to his business and helps to regulate and 
control the largest clothing house in Iowa City, and always keeps con- 
stantly in stock the finest line of goods in the market, and is gentlemanly* 
fair and honest in his dealings. 



786 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

HON. M. BLOOM, merchant, South Clinton St., Iowa City; was born 
March 28, 1833, in Alsace, France. He came to America in June, 1849, 
landed in New York, and finally settled in Iowa City, Johnson county, Iowa 
in November, 1857, and engaged in the mercantile business in the same 
block in which he is now doing business. His first ofiice was alderman 
from the second ward of Iowa City, elected April 2, 1860; he was a can- 
didate for Mayor in 1871, and was defeated by fourteen votes; was a 
candidate in 1872 and was defeated by seven votes; he made a visit to his 
native land in 1873, and upon his return from Europe was elected mayor 
of Iowa City the spring of 1874:, by a large majority, and was solicited to 
be a candidate for re-election and declined; he was a candidate for the legisla- 
ture in 1875, and was defeated by C. W. McCune ; in 1877 he was a candidate 
and was elected, and re-elected in 1879. In all the offices of honor, profit 
and trust that he has been called upon to fill he has been faithful and hon- 
est in performing his duties, and was always to be found at his post of 
duty. During his first term in the legislature he took an active part in 
opposing the repeal of the railroad granger tarift bill, and also, with Hon. 
George Paul, was instrumental in securing to the State University a per- 
manent annual endowment of $2U,000, a thing often attempted, but failed. 
He was active in his opposition to the prohibitory constitutional amend- 
ment, and was a member of the committee on temperance, and a member 
of the executive committee of the state anti-prohibition organiza- 
tion. He was nominated for lieutenant-govenor on the democratic 
ticket at the Council Bluff's convention, but promptly declined. 
He was appointed on the committee to investigate charges of fraud 
against the warden of the State Penitentiary at Fort Madison, but declined, 
because it was necessary for him to be present all the time to aid in 
securing necessary legislation for the interest of his constituents. He has 
always taken a lively interest in all public improvements in the city, and 
is one of the leading and substantial financial men of the city. He is a 
member of the Masonic bodies in the city, also a prominent member of 
the I. O. O. F. in the city, being one of the charter members of Lutonia 
Lodge I. O. O. F. He was married in 1860, and his first marriage was 
blessed with four children: Benjamin, born 1861, and died June 21, 1882, 
of consumption, and buried in Cincinnati, Ohio; Laura, Addie, Edward; 
and by his second marriage there are four children: Julia, Blanche, 
Charles and Myra. He is a director in the Johnson County Savings 
Bank and a member of the executive committee. He is president of the 
Iowa Alcohol works of Iowa City; a member of the Board of Trade of 
Iowa City, and is a heavy stockholder in the new organization for loan- 
ing money and receiving funds in trust. Words of praise are unneces- 
sary; Mr. Bloom has worked hard and his efforts have proved a success, 
and he enjoys the confidence of a large circle of social, political and finan- 
cial friends. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 787 

GEORGE T. BORLAND, a resident of Lucas township; post-office 
Iowa City. Was born May 2Tth, 1852, in Evans, Erie county, Penn- 
sylvania. He came with his parents to Iowa City, and attended the 
ward schools in Iowa Citv, and also the State University. He is a son 
of John Borland, and succeeds to the large landed estate and stock business 
so successfully established by his father. He was married April 5th, 1882, 
to Miss Smith of Iowa City. He was president of the Johnson County 
Agricultural Society in 1882. He is a republican in politics. 

GEORGE J. BOAL, a resident of Iowa City, and a member of the 
Johnson county bar; was born Oct. 4, 1835, in Center county, Pa. He 
settled in Iowa City in 1857, and was admitted to practice law, and began 
in that profession in January, 1859, and has continuously resided and prac- 
ticed law in Iowa City since. He was married August 21, 1861, to Miss 
Mattie A., daughter of Judge Buttles, of Iowa City. He is a member of 
the Episcopal Church; a democrat in politics, and takes an active part in 
the aflairs of his party. A man of acknowledged legal ability, faithful in 
his profession, and devoted to the interests of his legal business. 

ABNER BOONE, a merchant in Kalona, Washington county, Iowa, 
but for many years a resident of Washington township, Johnson county, 
was born October 17, 1828, in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania. 
He settled in Johnson county the spring of 1846. He was married Sep- 
tember 1,1853, to Miss Almira A. Simington, near Hollidaysburgh, Penn- 
sylvania. This union is blessed with six children: William, Marcellia, 
Mar}^ J., Alonzo, Alford and Beimia, living; Arissia, Elanora, and Ida, 
dead. He is a Republican in politics. 

JOHN BORLAND: was born November 5, 1806, in Manchester, Ver- 
mont; died January 8, 1878, in Iowa City. He married Miss Catharine 
Tupper, of Troy, New York, who died June 12, 1875. This union was 
blessed with seven children: Hattie E., wife of Dr. Sanford HufI", died 
February 22, 1863; John J., died in Chicago, in September, 1881; Sarah 
M., died December 27, 1856; Charles E., died January 24, 1867; Martha 
J., wife of Ernest Irwin, of Richfield, Minnesota; Catharine A., living in 
Chicago, and George T., living near Iowa City. Mr. B. came to Johnson 
county in November, 1856. His second marriage was with Mrs. Louisa 
Hoyt, January 31, 1877, whose maiden name was Smith; born June 26, 1829, 
at Madison, Indiana; her husband, Walter Hoyt, died in Iowa City, Febru- 
ary 12, 1869. The union with Mr. Hoyt was blessed with six children: 
Francis L., born October 9, 1849, died August 10, 1850; Albert, born May 
8, 1852, died in August, 1853; Charles L., born June 10, 1855, and lives 
at Bismarck, Dakota; Addie B., born October 2, 1857, wife of Edward C. 
Finkbine, of Des Moines, Iowa; Frank W., born November 13, 1860, lives 
at Odebolt, Sac county, Iowa, and Nellie M., born January 31, 1867. Mr. 
B. was a member of the Congregational Church. Mr. Hoyt and wife 



788 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

were members of the M. E. Church. Mr. B. was a Republican in politics. 
Mr. Hoyt was a Republican in politics. Mr. B. and Mr. H. were partners in 
business for many years in New York State. 

JAMES E. BOWERSOX, (deceased); Jefferson township. The sub- 
ject of this sketch was born in Carroll county, Maryland, on the 19th day 
of October, 1817. At the age of nine years his parents died, and James 
was thrown upon the world alone, "so to speak." He worked on a farm 
in the summer, and went to school in the winter. He learned the carpen- 
ter trade, though he never made a speciality of it. In 1839 he attended 
York Academy, then taught school. In 1843 he was licensed to preach for 
the United Brethren Church, by Bishop Erb. On the 9th of February, 
1846, he was ordained elder, by J. J. Blossbrener. Having been received 
in the Virginia Conference in 1841, then in 1856 he was transfered to the 
Iowa Conference. On the 19th day of October, 1843, he was married to 
Miss Margaret M. Shuey, daughter of Jacob Shuey; to them was born 
eight children: Jacob S., EHzabeth, died August 20, 1880; William H., 
Clay, Laura, Markwood, Virginia, and James E. Mr. Bowersox was a 
man of unswerving integrity, loved and respected by all who knew him. 
He came to Iowa in an early day, and through his industry amassed con- 
siderable of property, which his widow and children own now; was school 
treasurer for ten years. 

JOHN J. BOWLES, a resident of Iowa City, engaged in the abstract, 
real estate and loan business, on South Clinton street, over Allin & Wil- 
son's book store: was born May 22, 1846, in Greenbrier county, West Vir- 
ginia. He moved to Ohio in the spring of 1863, and came to Osceola, 
Iowa, October 17, 1866, and entered the State University in 1874, and 
spent five years in the State University. He was married April 22, 1880, 
to Miss Emma A. Morgan, of Iowa City. A member of the Baptist 
Church of Iowa City. A Republican in politics. September 1, 1882, he 
bought J. W. Cone's abstract books, and is successor to his business. 

JACOB BOWMAN, farmer, post-office. North Liberty; was Dorn on 
the 6th day of January, 1814, in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, is the 
son of Abraham and Martha Bowman. He was raised principally on a 
farm, and educated in the common schools. He learned two trades, those 
of carpenter and blacksmith. In 1836 he went to Louisiana, and while 
there followed bridge-building and carpentering, until 1838, when he 
returned to Pennsylvania, and went into the merchandizing business at 
Blosserville. December 22, 1842, he was married to Miss Margaret J. Gitfin 
of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. To them have been born five chil- 
dren, four of whom are living: Martha J., Ciitharine C, John F. and Mary 
E. In 1846, he came to Iowa and settled in this county, where he has 
since resided. He owns 331 acres of land, including timber; his residence 
is on section 19; follows farming and stock-raising. Mr. Bowman was 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 789 

among the early settlers here, and has by industry and economy 
accumulated considerable of this world's goods; is a member of the Luth- 
eran Church, as is also his entire family. 

CHARLES H. BRADLEY, farmer, post-office, Lone Tree; was 
born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, June 11, 1852, and is a son of H. W. 
and Emma Bradley, who came to Johnson county in the spring of 1856. 
Mrs. Bradley dying March 17, 1873, Mr. Bradley is now living with his 
son, the subject ol this sketch, who has followed farming the greater part 
of his life, and now owns 40 acres of land. He was married January 28, 
1880, to Alice Lovejoy, a native of Michigan. They have two children: 
Myrtle and Herbert. 

STEPHEN BRADLEY, the present efficient district and circuit clerk 
of Johnson county, was born December 26, 1850, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He 
came to Iowa City in 1856, and in 1869 settled in Hardin township in John- 
son county, and engaged in farming and teaching school. A democrat in 
pohtics; was elected clerk in the fall of 1880, and was re-elected in 
November, 1882; his majority was 137 in 1880, and 1055 in 1882. 
He was married March 4, 1878 to Miss Mary Cusack. This union is 
blessed with one child, Mary. He was educated at the Iowa City high- 
school. The family are members of the St. Patritk's Roman Catholic 
Church of Iowa City. He has filled the offices of township clerk, assessor, 
secretary of school board, and treasurer of school board of Hardin town- 
ship. He has made many warm friends by his kind and courteous man- 
ner during his first term of office as clerk and the people spoke in his 
favor at the ballot-box by a handsome majority. 

J. C. BRAKEL, blacksmith, post-office, Solon; was born in Crawford 
county, Pennsylvania, October 23, 1845. When he was one 3^ear old his 
parents, John and Margaret Brakel, emigrated to Iowa, and settled in 
Big Grove township, where they still live. Here the subject of our sketch 
spent his early life, and learned the blacksmith trade with his father. In 
1867 he started a shop of his own in Solon, and is now doing a good busi- 
ness of a general shop, and keeps two and three men working for him. 
He was married February 14, 1868, to Miss Catharine Grover, a native of 
Iowa. This union has been blessed with five children: George F., Emma, 
Mary A., Nettie and Clara. 

JAMES BRIDENSTINE, farmer, Madison township, post-office, 
North Liberty; was born March 5, 1829, in Huntingdon county, Pennsyl- 
vania; is a son of Jacob and Sophia Bridenstine. James was principally 
raised on a farm. At the age of fourteen years he learned the trade of 
wagon-maker. March 1, 1851, he was married to Miss Susan Hoover of 
Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. To this union were born six children, 
five living: Sylvester J., who is practicing medicine in Nebraska; Martin 
50 



790 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

C, John W., James S., and Elmer H. His wife died August 4, 1872. 
He was married the second time to Mrs. Mary J. Bane of this county. 
To this union have been born five children: Burton V., Minnie B., Nettie 
S., Walter L. In 1852 Mr. Bridenstine came to Iowa and settled in John- 
son county, on section 14, where he now resides; he owns 170 acres of 
prairie in Penn and Madison townships, 120 acres in Nebraska, besides 
timber land. He is a member of the Church of God; is a republican in 
politics, and voted for the amendment. 

MICHAEL BRIERTON, farmer and merchant, post-office Windham; 
was born in county of Meath, Ireland, May 22, 1824, and followed farm- 
ing until he was twenty-five years of age. He then came to America and 
lived in the State of New York about three years and a half, and then in 
1853, went to California and followed mining and ranching for three years 
and a half. He came to Johnson county in 1857, and bought property in 
Windham, and has since lived there, being engaged in the real estate 
business; also kept a general stock of merchandise. He is one of the most 
influential men of Hardin tpwnship. He was married Aug. 11, 1857, to 
Ellen Dowd, a native of Ireland, and who came to America in 1850, 
They had but one child, Matthew, who died when small. Mr. Brierton 
is at present engaged in stock dealing, and owns 140 acres in this county, 
and 120 in Iowa county. He has served as township clerk for twelve 
years. 

JOHN M. BROWN; the subject of this sketch resides in Cedar town- 
ship, and his post-office address is Solon. He is a farmer and stock raiser; 
was born May 18th, 1848, in Cedar township, Johnson county, Iowa. He 
was married August 16, 1875, to Miss Nellie Brown. They have one 
child, Mattie, born September 9, 1878. A republican in politics, a mem- 
ber of the Masonic lodge at Solon. He is a son of Edwin A. Brown, of 
Cedar township. He has a fine lot of Short-horn cattle; raises the 
Poland China hogs, and the Clydesdale stock of horses. He is one of 
Cedar township's successful farmers. 

J. G. BROWN, stock breeder and proprietor of Cedar Park farm. 
Cedar township, post-office Solon. Was born in Erie county, N. Y., 
April 22d, 1818, and when about ten years of age his parents, John and 
Harriet, removed to Quincy, Illinois, and in 1839 he came to Johnson 
county and staked out a claim, where he now resides. He had^no means 
but a yoke of oxen; he commenced braking prairie at $1.50 per acre, in 
this way paying for his first quarter section of land, and by industry and 
economy added more from time to time until he now owns 1285 acres of 
fine land. His home farm of 900 acres is one of the finest in the State, 
beautifully located, well watered and splendid buildings, and has a beauti- 
ful cedar park of several acres. He is paying special attention to breed- 
ing thoroughbred Short-horns, and is the most extensive breeder in the 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 791 

county. He was married June 15, 1844, to Amaretta Nicholson, a native 
of Ross county, Ohio, but having spent her early life in Montgomery 
county, Indiana. This union has been blessed with nine children, seven 
now living: Jennie H., born January 28, 1840, now Mrs. Craven Stream; 
Annette, born August 23, 1847, now Mrs. W. S. Beebe; Ambrose S., 
born JulylS, 1849; John W., born January 11, 1852; Lauren, born April 
23, 1854; Laura, born September 12, 1856, and Jared, born July 5, 1861. 
Mr. and Mrs. Brown are members of the Baptist Church. Ambrose and 
Jared are in partnership with their father in raising and breeding stock. 

E. A. BROWN, farmer. Cedar twnship, post-office, Solon; was born 
in Troy, N. Y., August 29, 1819, and came to Illinois, near Quincy, in 
1831, that then being a new country. He afterward went to Warren 
county, and came to Johnson county in March 1839 and took a claim in 
what is now Cedar township, where he has since resided. Came here 
poor, and has by his industry made quite a fortune; he now owns 600 
acres of fine land, with good substantial improvements, and raises consid- 
erable stock, making a specialty of good horses. He was married April 
20, 1846, to Martha McClelland, a native of Maryland. This union has 
been blessed with four children: Edna B., now Mrs. Wilson; John M., 
Alonzo, and Cuyler, deceased. Religiously, he holds to the Methodist 
faith. 

HENDERSON BRUNSON, a farmer residing in Liberty township, 
post-office, Bon Accord; was born March 10, 1836. He was married in 
1852, in Ohio, to Miss Mary Jane Wellars. He setded in Johnson county 
in 1862. He is a democrat in politics. He never held any office and is 
liberal in his religious views, not being a member of any church. 

ALEXIS BUSHNAGLE, a resident of Iowa City, and a baker by 
trade. Was born July 18, 1836, in Baden, Germany, came to America in 
June, 1862. Settled in Iowa City, and worked at his trade until 1864 
when he opened a shop of his own on the corner of Linn and Market 
streets. He was married February 7, 1864, to Miss Katharine Moltale, 
of Iowa City. They have six children: Frank, Ellen, Cecellia, Louis, 
Joseph R., and Mara. Mr. Bushnagle is a democrat in politics, and voted 
against the prohibitory amendment. He is the owner of the fine ice 
cream restaurant on Capitol Avenue, near the post-office, which is pre- 
sided over by his wife and daughter. 

W. F. BUCK, a farmer, residing in Union township, post-office address 
Iowa City; was born Aug. 24, 1826, in Germany, came to America in 1S44, 
landed in NewOrleans. Settled in Johnson county, Iowa City, in April, 1844. 
He was a faithful soldier in the Mexican war, served in Captain Morgan's 
Independent Cavalry Compan}^, the first company raised in Iowa, and he 
served three years and six months. He was married in 1851, to Miss Mary J. 
Thomas, of Union township, Johnson county. They are blessed with eight 



« 



• 



792 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

living children: Henry A., WilliamF., Edward 0.,Jane, wife of Mathew 
Howell, Elmer S., Charles S., May and Herbert. He is a republican in poli- 
tics; was ajusticeof the peace six years in Hardin township, Johnson county, 
and for sixteen years a justice of the peace in Union township, and served 
on the school board and as assessor and trustee of Union township, and 
was a member of the board of supervisors of Johnson county, for one 
term, and served on the last board under the law that elected one member 
from each township; he was sent from Union township, and in all of his 
official duties he made a record as an honest and faithful public servant. 

E. W. BURGESS, physician, post-office, Solon; was born in Oakland 
county, Michigan, March 14, 1840, and spent his early life in that State, 
and attended school at Grand Rapids. He enlisted December 2, 1861, in 
Company C, Thirteenth Michigan Infantry; was quartermaster of regi- 
ment, and also ranked first lieutenant; was mustered out in August, 1865. 
He then resumed his study of medicine, which he had commenced before 
he enlisted, and attended the McDowell College at St. Louis, and gradu- 
ated in March, 1869. Practiced three years in Jefferson county, Mis- 
souri, and came to Solon in August, 1875, and now enjoys a large practice 
in Solon and vicinity. 

JOSEPH BURESH, farmer, Jefferson township, post-office, Shuey- 
ville; was born April, 1838, in Bohemia, Austria; came to America July, 
1864; settled in Johnson county, in March, 1874. He lived in Cleveland, 
Ohio, for ten years, during all that time worked for the glass company 
in tha4; city. He was married December 25, 1869, to Miss Mary Kahoun, 
of Cleveland, Ohio. They have been blessed with five children: Emma, 
Mary, Frank, Helena, and Caroline. Mr. B. is a democrat in politics, 
and has held the office of township tVustee for five years. He voted 
against the prohibitory constitutional amendment. Since writing the 
above we leaVn that Mr. Buresh accidentally shot and killed himself 
while hunting. 

MARTIN VAN BUREN BUTLER, a resident of West Branch, 
Cedar county, Iowa; was born February 14, 1837, in Henderson county, 
Illinois. Came to Iowa City in September, 1839; the family has resided 
here ever since. Served three years in Company F, Fifth Iowa Regiment 
Volunteer Infantry. Enlisted in Keokuk, Iowa. His father died in 1844; 
his mother is still living, aged 76. He was married January 30, 1861, to 
Miss Emily P. Brady, of Sigourney, Keokuk county, Iowa. They have 
had ten children: those living are: James, Thomas, Albertus, Henry, New- 
ton C, Cora, Elma, and Elizabeth. Mr. Butler learned the shoe-maker 
trade in Iowa City, with the father of our present postmaster, Thomas 
Ricord. 

ROBERT W. BYINGTON, attorney-at-law, residing in West Lucas 
township, with a law office on the corner of Washington and Dubuque 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 793 

Streets; was born April 3, 1854, in Iowa City. He a^raduated at the State 
University in the class of '76, and of the law class of '77. Opened an 
office and began the practice ui tlie law December 1, 1879. He has been 
a member of the school board in West Lucas township; is a democrat in 
politics, and is the senior member of the law firm of Byington Bros., Otto 
A. Byington being the junior member; was born December 1, 1859, in 
Jowa City, and graduated from the State University in the class of '80, 
and in the law class of '81. He is a democrat in politics; he formed a 
partnership with his brother, Robert, July 1, 1881. 

OWEN T. CALAGY, a farmer, residing in Hardin township; post- 
office, Oxford; was born March 22, 1848, in New York City; left there 
March 19, and arrived in Johnson county and Iowa City March 22, 1866. 
He was married February, 1873, to Miss Sophia J. Bradley. They are 
blessed with a family of five children; Julia A., John D., Owen T., James 
C, and William T. A democrat in politics, and voted against the pro- 
hibitory constitutional amendment. 

W. D. CANNON, farmer; post-office, Solon; was born on the farm 
he now lives on, section 36, Big Grove township, November 6, 1840, and 
was the first white child born in the township. Is a son of William D. and 
Julia A. Cannon, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter a 
native of Maine, her maiden name being Pratt. They came to Johnson 
county February 10, 1840; here the subject of this sketch has since 
resided. He attended Cornell College from September, 1857, to January, 
1860. He now owns 175 acres of fine land, and has a fine brick residence 
and good improvements. He was married March 15, 1863, to Miss 
Delilah A. Eason, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Alexander and 
Mary Eason, she having taught a school for five years in this county. 
They have three children, Carrie A., Willie D., and Ray P. Mr. and 
Mrs. Cannon and daughter are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church at Solon. 

JAMES CARRIGAN, a farmer in Union township; post-office, Iowa 
City; was born February, 1825, in Ireland; came to America in 1849, five 
years in Pennsylvania, and then settled in Johnson county. He was married 
May 15, 1857, to Miss Ann Reynolds; is a member of the Roman Cath- 
olic Church at Windham, Hardin township. He is a democrat in politics, 
and lives on section 2, and owns 120 acres of land, under a good state of 
cultivation, and plenty of good stock of cattle, hogs and horses. 

FRED T. CARL, farmer and stock raiser; post-office, Lone Tree; 
was born in Indiana, April 18, 1837. In the fall of 1838 his^parents, George 
and Cordelia, moved to Cedar county, Iowa, where the subject of this 
sketch spent his early life, and came to Johnson countv the fall of 1875. 
He owns 160 acres of fine land, and gives his attention to farming and 
raising fine blooded horses of Lexington, Regent and Hambletonian stock, 



794 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

all fast animals. He was married November 8, 1855, to Miss Emoline 
Soper, a native of New York, but came to Cedar county when quite 
young. She died October 18, 1880, leaving seven children, Minerva E., 
James R., F. F., Lucina, Addie S., Elard and Eben Davis. Mr. Carl is 
a member of the U. O. H. No. 2, at Lone Tree. 

MATHEW CAVANAGH, a resident of Iowa City, and engaged in 
the practice of law, and real estate, was born May 12, 1832, in Cass county, 
Michigan. His parents came to Iowa in 1839, and settled in Johnson 
•county in 1840. He was married September, 1858, to Miss Mary Fellows, 
of Lee county, Illinois. They have five children. Amy R., Julia M., 
Carrie C, James M. and Lucy M. He graduated from Cornell College, 
Iowa, in 1857, and his wife is a graduate from the same college. His 
daughter, JuHa M., graduated from the State University, class in 1882,and 
is now teaching at LeMars, Iowa. Amy R., Carrie C. and James are 
graduates of the Iowa City High School. He was admitted to practice 
law in Linn county, Iowa, in 1861. He is a democrat in politics, was 
sheriff of Johnson county, was appointed and filled the unexpired term of 
S. P. McCadden, 1872, deceased, and was elected in 1873, and re-elected 
in 1875. He was township trustee of Iowa City township in 1871, a 
member of the city council in 1862, mayor of Iowa City in 1878, and is 
at present a member of the Iowa City school board and its president. 
He is a member of the Unitarian Society; a member of No. 6, I. O. O. F., 
A. O. U. W.,and L. of H., Iowa City. 

JOSEPH CERNY, a resident of Iowa City, a clothing merchant 
doing business on Washington street, was born February 20, 1839, in 
Bohemia, Austria. Came to America, December 25, 1854; landed 
in New York, and came to Iowa City January 6, 1855; a carpenter by 
trade. He clerked for Harrison Eppel prior to going in the clothing bus- 
iness in 1865. He was married June 14, 1864 to Miss Helen Haas of 
Iowa City. This union is blessed with six children: John A., George F., 
Louis F., Rosa, Ida, and Joseph. Member of Tutonia German Lodge, 
No. 129, I. O. O. F.; a member of the A. O. U. W., and also a member 
of the Masonic societies; a democrat in politics; was a member of the city 
council two years from third ward; elected in 1875. 

JOHN J. CERNY, a resident of Iowa City; in the saddlery and har- 
ness business at No. 28 Washington street; was born March 7, 1846, in 
Bohemia, Austria; came to America in 1855; landed in New York City, 
and settled in Iowa City the same year. He was married October 13, 
1875, to Miss Mary Kasper of Iowa City; has three children, John W., 
Clara E., and Ella M. He is a member of Tutonia (German) Lodge No. 
128, I. O. O. F.,and the A. O. U. W. of Iowa City. He is a democrat in 
politics. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 795 

JAMES CHAMBERLAIN, a farmer residing in Madison township, 
post-office, North Liberty ; was born March 3, 1817, in Adams county, Penn- 
sylvania. His parents settled in Lafayette county, Indiana, in 1834, where he 
lived until the fall of 1841, when he settled in Johnson county, Iowa. He was 
married March 8, 1838, to Elizabeth Laman of Lafayette, Indiana. They 
had nine children, only two of them now living. His wife died July 10, 
1856, and on the 24th day of May, 1857, he married Catharine Snavely, 
widow of Michael Snavely. By this union one child was born, Ira J. G., 
born September 10, 1S58. He is a member of the United Brethren Church 
at the Cross Roads Union Church in Madson township. He is a repub- 
lican in politics. He has held the office of member of the board of super- 
visors of Johnson county. He was member of the schobl board for twenty 
years prior to 1871, and has held the office of justice of the peace for 
twenty years last past, and is still justice of the peace for Madison town- 
ship. 

LEWIS E. CHAMBERLAIN, a farmer in Madison township, post- 
office. North Liberty; was born June 2, 1847, in Johnson county, Iowa. 
He was married September 3, 1868, "to Miss Annie J. Moreland of Keo- 
kuk county, Iowa. They have three children: James L., Lela M., and 
L. Glen. He is a republican in politics. He served in the late war for 
the Union in Company G, Forty-seventh Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infan- 
try. He is secretary of the Northwestern Insurance Company, of Madi- 
son township, with principal office at his residence; a good company doing 
a first-class business. 

THOMAS W. CHERRY, farmer, Lincoln township, post-office, Iowa 
City; was born October 8, 1808, in Washington county. New York; came 
to Iowa Cit}' in October, 1856. He was married to Lucinda Robinson, 
of Iowa City, November 3, 1831. They have four children: James A., 
born January 7, 1833, and living in Washington township, Johnson county; 
Lyman, born June 9, 1835, and died February 23, 1838; Thomas, born 
September 22, 1836, and died June 6, 1837; Ames, born August 24, 1840, 
married and living at home with his father. Mr. Ciierry is a republican 
in politics, and voted against the prohibitory constitutional amendment. 
He and his wife are both members of the Presbyterian Church. He was 
elected justice of the peace in 1859, and held the office one year; was 
elected school director in 1859, and held that office four years. 

AMES CHERRY, farmer, Lincoln township, post-office, Iowa City; 
was born August 24, 1840; came to Iowa City with his father, Thos. W. 
Cherry in 1856. He was married January 10, 1867, to Miss Minnie 
McClellan. This union is blessed with two children: Louis, born July 4, 
1868, and Eugene, born May 27, 1870. Mr. C. went into the Union army 
in 1861, in Company B, Fourteenth Iowa Infantry, served one and a half 
years, and was transferred to the Seventh Iowa Cavalry, company L. 



796 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

He is a republican in politics; voted against the prohibitory constitutional 
amendment. Held the office of township clerk five years in Pleasant 
Valle}^ township before the tovvnshjn ^v.is divided, and appointed in 1867 
to fill the vacancy of township clerk caused by the resii^nation of David 
Higby. 

JOHN H. CHRISTEE, blacksmith, post-office, Oxford; was born in 
Richland county, Ohio, June 25, ISii, where he spent his early life until 
twenty-one years of age; he then came to Johnson county, where he fol- 
lowed farming for several years, and then went at his trade in Oxford. 
He was married to Miss Gertrude A. Gould, also a native of Ohio; they 
have four children: Ella, Frank H., Lillie V., and Elmer E. Mr. Christie 
is a member of Canopy Lodge, No. 290, A. F. & A. M. 

AUGUSTUS L. CLARKE, post-office, Iowa City; a direct descendent 
from Abraham Clarke, the signer of [the declaration of independence from 
New Jersey; was born January 17, 1832, in Rahway, Essex county. New 
Jersey; went to Ohio in 1847, to Iowa City, in 1857, and to California in 
the spring of 1859, and returned to Iowa City in December, 1864:. He 
was^married October 7, 1868, to Miss Florence A. Smith, of Iowa City, a 
grand-daughter of Governor Lucas. They have the following chil- 
dren: Caroline L., William L., George Warfield, Robert Sumner and 
Florence A. G. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church. 
He is a member of the Masonic bodies of Iowa City, and is a republican in 
politics; was justice of the peace of Lucas township for two years, and is 
at present United States store-keeper at the Iowa City Alcohol works. 

JOHN NORWOOD CLARK, proprietor of the "old curiosity shop" 
on Clinton street, in Iowa City; was born July 30, 1814, in Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania. He was married July 22, 1836, to Miss Jane Sturtevant, 
of Ellicott's Mills, Maryland. This union is blessed with six children: only 
one living, Amanda, widow of Col. S. F. Webb, of Iowa City. He settled 
in Iowa City, October 21, 1853, and began business (the shoe business, 
1853, and his present business, in 1855), and has continued in the present 
business since. He is a very prominent member of the Masonic and I. O. 

0. F. Lodges, being Past Grand Master and Past Grand Warden of the 

1. O. O. F. of the jurisdiction of Iowa representation. He is a democrat 
in politics. He lias held various offices of honor, profit and trust: Marshal 
of Iowa City in 1855, treasurer of Iowa City in 1873, and assessor of Iowa 
City in 1877-79-80-81, township trustees for many years, township clerk 
ten years in succession. He has served on the election board at the Court 
House voting precinct of Iowa City every year but one, since 1856. 

ZACHARIAH A. CLARK, (deceased); was born in Belmont county, 
Ohio, October 7, 1817, where he spent his early life, and followed the 
occupation of a farmer. He was married March 31, 1842, to Jane Smith, 
a native of Huntington county, Pennsylvania; born June 26, 1821. They 



I 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 797 

lived in Ohio until 1856, when they emigrated to Iowa and settled in Gra- 
ham township, this county, where they lived until his death, February 3, 
1865, leaving Mrs. Clark and six children to mourn his loss. Names of 
children were as follows: Eliza J., born May 25,1843, and died April 19, 
1845; John N., born June 30, 1845, enlisted in company D, Twenty-fourth 
Iowa Infantry, September 18, 1862, and died at Helena, February 11, 1863 ; 
George K., born November 5, 1847, now in California; Nancy E., born 
January 7, 1850, now Mrs. James Poland; Sarah C, born April 18, 1852; 
Jasper N., born December 30, 1854; William H., born June 8, 1857, and 
Martha, born April 6, 1862. In 1880 Mrs. Clark moved to Fremont town- 
ship, where she owns eighty acres of land, and has a pleasant home. 

L. W. CLAPP, a resident of Iowa City, engaged in the practice of the 
law, office over the First National Bank, on Washington street; was born 
September 23, 1857, in Brooklyn, N. Y. Came to Iowa City with his 
parents in 1858. He is a graduate from the State University of Iowa in 
the class of 1877, and from the law department of State University of 
Iowa in 1878, began the practice of law in the spring of 1880. Is a repub- 
lican in poHtics, and alwaye takes a lively interest in all questions affect- 
ing the interest of the party. He enjoys the confidence of a large num- 
ber of clients, and as a reward for his faithful attention to their business 
receives a liberal compensation for his services. 

JOHN H. CLARK, merchant and stock-dealer, son of Ezekiel Clark; 
was born in Richland county, Ohio, October 23, 1841, and emigrated to 
Iowa in 1848, with his parents, and settled in Iowa City; he attended the 
State University, also Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, at Chi- 
cago. When only twelve years of age he commenced dealing in stock 
and made a trip to Philadelphia, when at that age, with stock, and has 
been engaged in that business ever since. At one time he owned 3,200 
acres of land, which he kept well stocked with cattle and hogs; he is the 
oldest shipper in [the county. He now owns a general merchandise store 
at Coralville, where he has lived for the past thirty years, and also owns 
considerable town property. He was married September 20, 1862, to 
Miss Mary McCullough, also of Ohio. This union has been blessed with 
seven children: four now living: Hattie B., Ezekiel, Mary S., and Cora C. 

CHARLES E. CLENCH, a resident of Iowa City, and proprietor of a 
photograph gallery on second floor, over American Express office, on 
south Clinton street, was born February 17th, 1850, in Niagara county, 
New York, began business in Iowa City in July, 1882. Came to the 
State of Iowa in April 1877. He was married in 1870 to Miss Nellie 
Newell, of Racine, Wisconsin; this union is blessed with two children: 
Maude and Mabel. The family are members of the Episcopal Church. 
A member of Eureka Lodge, I. O. O. F., Iowa City, and of the L. of H. 
of Iowa City. He is a republican in politics. 



798 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

M. B. CLINE, post-office Riverside. Was born in Ross county, Ohio, 
September 2d, 1826; came to Des Moines County, Iowa, March 18, 
1839; remained there until June 1841, when he came to Johnson county, 
and settled in Liberty township. In the spring following he moved across 
the line into Washington county, where he resided some seventeen years, 
when he moved back into Liberty township, and has resided in the county 
ever since. Mr. Cline was married in Louisa county, Iowa, December 
25, 1859, to Miss Nancy C. Green of that county. She was born in 
Monroe county, Tennessee, August 7, 1839, and came to Iowa in April of 
1851. Ten children have been born to them, two of whom, Irene and 
Evelyn, are dead. Those living are: Salathiel G., Walter F., George M., 
James K., Olena, Melcina, Ama E., and Michael E. Mr. Cline has 
taught sixteen terms of school in Johnson and adjoining counties. He 
held the office of clerk of elections in Liberty township, from 1860 until 
1877; was for fourteen years successively secretary of school board; 
township assessor two years, and member of board of supervisors three 
years. He also held the offices of justice of the peace, assessor, and town- 
ship clerk, while resident of Washington county. Mr. Cline has been a 
member of the German Baptist Church for fifteen years. In politics he 
is a democrat. 

C. E. CLIFFORD, a resident of Scott township, post-office Iowa City. 
Was born in Oneida county, N. Y., December 6th, 1836; by occupation 
he is a farmer and stock raiser. He owns a farm of 510 acres, and has 
one of the finest farm residences in the county, built of brick in 1877. He 
came to Johnson county in 1858 and settled in Cedar township, and 
remained there about one year. He married Miss A. M. Hartsock of 
Illinois, and moved to New York, and remained there until 1862, when 
he returned to this county, and settled on the farm upon which he now 
resides. They have six children: Lottie E., Belle, Oneida A., Alice M,, 
Edwin C, and Palmyra A. Mr. Cliftbrd is the eldest child of Peter and 
Charlotte L. Cliftbrd, who are still living in New York State. There 
were eight children of his father's family, all living at this writing. 

M. T. CLOSE and C. D. CLOSE, residence in Iowa City, proprietors 
of the oil mill; and M. T. Close is one of the proprietors of the paper 
mill at Coralville. M. T. Close came to Iowa City in May 1851:, and C. 
D. Close came in December, 1854. M. T. Close was born January 3rd, 
1829, and C. D. Close was born in September, 1832. They are recogniz- 
ed as men of enterprise, and as business men they have been a grand suc- 
cess. M. T. Close owned and filled the first ice house in Iowa City. He 
started a candle manufactory in 1856, a soap factory in 1858, an oil mill 
in 1861, and a paper mill in 1866; for a brief history of these enterprises, 
see sketch under their headings. The firm of M. T. Close & Co., of the 
oil mill, and M. T. Close & Son of the paper mill, are recognized as solid 
substantial and successful business institutions. They are republicans in 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 79^ 

politics; C. D. Close represented the fourth ward in the City Council in 
1875; M. T. Close served in the City Council from the fourth ward in 
1865 and 1871, and was a member of the school board of Iowa City. In 
all positions of honor, profit or trust, they have both proved faithful and 
competent representatives of any business entrusted to their care. 

JAMES R. CLOUD, farmer, Monroe township, post-office Danforth. 
Was born in Highland county, Ohio, October 30th, 1827. His parents, 
Nathaniel and Rebecca Cloud, came to Iowa in 1841, and settled twelve 
miles north of Burlington. In 1852 they moved to Johnson county. 
James was on the 14th November, 1855, married to Miss Elizabeth Whit- 
more, daughter of Lovell Whitmore, deceased, and step-daughter of 
Benjamin Swisher. To them were born two children, Elizabeth A., and 
Mamie H. His wife died February 15th, 1880. Mr. Cloud owns a farm 
in section 3, where he resides, and follows farming. He is a member of 
the Baptist Church; a republican in politics, and voted for the amend- 
ment. 

SAMUEL CLOUD, farmer, Monroe township, post-office Danforth. 
Was born October 14th, 1819, in Adams county, Ohio, where he was 
raised on a farm. Is the son of Nathaniel and Rebecca Cloud. January 
13th, 1841, he was married to Miss Eliza A. Case, daughter of Otha and 
Mary A. Case, of Adams county, Ohio. To them have been born twelve 
children, nine of whom are living: Caroline, Mary A., James F., Rebecca 
M., Francis E., Rosan E., Samuel N., John T. W., and William S. Mr. 
Cloud moved to Indiana in January, 1841, and remained there until October 
26, of that year, when he came to Iowa, and first settled in Big Grove town- 
ship; lived there until 1846, then moved to this township where he now 
resides, on section 10, though he first lived in section 6. In 1852 he went 
to California, remained there four years; then came back, and has fol- 
lowed farming and stock raising ever since. He owns a splendid farm of 
200 acres, well improved; and deals in Short-horns and grade cattle, and 
Clydesdale horses. Until 1856, Mr. Cloud was a democrat; since that 
time he has voted the republican ticket. His wife died July 22, 1881. 

REV. OSCAR CLUTE, the minister of the Unitarian Church, was 
born March 11, 1837, in Albany county. New York. He entered the 
ministry in 1866, his first charge Vineland, N. J. He was settled over 
the charge in Iowa City, in 1878. He was married in 1867, to Miss Mary 
M. Teswick, of Shetland, Scotland; they have six children: William M., 
Oscar C, Lucy M., John A., Catharine J. and Edward H. Little Johnnie, 
a bright active child, full of life, at the age of three years met a horrible 
death by being burned. Rev. Clute was professor of mathematics at the 
Michigan State Agricultural College at Lansing, where he graduated in 
November, 1864, and as soon as he graduated they gave him the chair of 
mathematics, which he filled for several years, and then entered the min- 
istry. 



800 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

MATHEW COCHRAN, farmer, Graham township, post-office 
Oasis; born March 6, 1828, in Glasc^ow, Scotland. Came to America in 
1829, and settled in Johnson county, May 9, 1843, in what was then called 
Newport township, now Graham township, on section 28, township 80, 
ran^e 5 west, a splendid farm. He is the oldest settler in Graham town- 
ship. He was married January 22, 1857, to Miss Addina Douglass, 
a dautrhter of James Douglass, of Scott township; they have nine 
children, four boys and five girls: Mary C, Alvin, Laura A., 
Charles D., Agnes E., Jessie E., George B., Grace and Chester R. His 
wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He is a republican in 
politics. His father and mother both died in Graham township. He is 
the eldest brother of J. C. Cochran, the tinner and stove merchant of Iowa 
City, on Clinton street. When Graham township was organized they had 
quite a dispute over the name, and Mr. Cochran settled it by proposing to 
call it after Andrew Graham, the lather of Alex. H. Graham, and it was 
agreed to without a dessenting voice. 

JOHN COLDREN, the present sherifT of Johnson county; was born 
Dec. 4, 1839. Came to Iowa in 1866, and settled on a farm in Union 
township. He was elected sheriff in 1877, and has held that office ever 
since. Mr. Coldren was married March 27, 1868, to Mary O. Stevens, 
of West Lucas township. They have three children: Clymer, Stevens 
and Paul. In pohtics he is a democrat. His election to a third term in 
the face of a powerful opposition is evidence of his great popularity among 
voters of both parties. 

THOMAS COMBE, farmer and stock raiser, post-office Oxford; was 
born in England, Dec. 25, 1816. At the age of fourteen he came to 
America with his parents, and first settled in Knox county, Ohio, where he 
commenced to learn the carpenter trade, then went to Massillon, Ohio, 
where he worked for some years, and in 1838 he came to Jackson county, 
Iowa, and liAed there till April, 1840, when he came to Iowa City, where 
he worked at his trade. In the spring of 1850 he went to California and 
followed mining three years, meeting with good success. He then 
returned and Hved in the city until 1860, then moved on his farm in Oxford 
township, where he now owns 240 acres of fine land, and has a fine resi- 
dence, and enjoys the respect of all his neighbors. He was married Feb. 
1, 1855, to Mary E. Merritt, a native of Vermont, and a lady of fine social 
abilities. They have three children : Robert M., Ella and Charles B. 
Mr. Combe is a member of the Episcopal Church, and during his stay in 
the city, served as alderman, and in other official capacities. 

W. F. CONKLIN, attorney at law and real estate dealer, Washington 
street, Iowa City; was born August 22, 1853, in Cedar county, Iowa. 
He graduated from the State University, law department, class of 1873, 
and began the practice of law in Iowa City in November, 1876. He was 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 801 

married, December 17, 1874, to Miss Annie B. Keen, of Solon, Iowa. 
They have three children: Eddie P., Gertrude C. and Maude I. He is a 
democrat in politics. Was township clerk of Iowa City township for 
two years, 1879-80. 

D. V. CONKLIN, farmer, near Iowa City; was born March 21, 1827, 
in Licking county, Ohio. He came to Iowa in 1838, and finally settled 
in Johnson county, in Big Grove township, in 1850. He was married, 
October 7, 1819, to Miss Sarah Payn, of Solon, Iowa. They have five 
children: William F., A. C. Dodge, Loren J., Jessie A., wife of L. P. Kess- 
ler, of Audubon county, Iowa, and Ernest V. He is a democrat in poli- 
tics, and has held the office of township trustee of Big Grove township. 
He is an American in every sense of the word, and has no use for any 
person that does not belong to America. 

JOHN COOK, deceased; son of Michael Koch (Koch, in German, is 
literally Cook in English, hence the change in name), and grandson of 
Johann Koch, who emigrated from Germany in Revolutionary times; 
was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania^ in 1800, and moved with 
his father's family in 1811 to Columbiana county, Ohio. In 1851 he came 
to Iowa with his family, and settled in section IS, what is now Oxford 
township. He had visited Iowa in 1849-50, and purchased a large tract 
of land of about 1600 acres. His religious ideas were obtained by asso- 
ciation with the Quakers, and inclined to the faith of that sect. In poli- 
tics he was democratic, having began to take an interest in politics in 
1828, during the famous Jackson campaign. Up to that time he was 
only able to read German. Political affairs gave him a desire to read for 
himself, and he learned to read and write English. For several years he 
filled a number of township offices with credit, and was county supervisor 
in 1863-64. He died in 1873, leaving an estate of $20,000. 

CHAS. W. CONOVER, farmer, section 35, Scott township, post-office, 
Downey; was born August 16, 1825, in Monmouth county. New Jersey. 
Came to Johnson county in 1858, and took up a claim on sections 1 and 2 
in Scott township. Was absent ten years in the oil regions, from 1865 to 
1875, in Oil City, Pennsylvania. He was married in 1842. Mr. C. is a 
republican in politics. 

M. W. COOK, post-office, Oxford; son of John Cook; born in Carroll 
county, Ohio, July 16, 1838. Removed with his father's family to Oxford 
in 1851. He was married to Hester Talbott, of Iowa county, in 1859. 
They have four children, three sons and one daughter: John H., Milton 
W., Arthur T. and Ella L. He began teaching in the public schools at 
the age of nineteen and has taught twenty-nine terms in twenty-five years. 
He enlisted in the 28th Iowa Infantry, at Marengo, in August, 1862. 
Served in the southwest and gulf departments till 1864, when the regi- 
ment was called to Virginia, and participated in the Shenandoah Valley cam- 



802 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

paign. He was severely wounded at the battle of Cedar Creek, October 
19, 1864, "with Sheridan twenty miles away;" discharged on account of 
wounds, and returned to his home in Iowa county in 1865. Was nomin- 
ated for representative by his soldier friends and declined, to become the 
regular republican nominee. Removed to Nebraska in 1866, and served 
as county surveyor one year in Johnson county, Nebraska, and taught 
school three years in Hillsdale, Nebraska. Returned to Iowa in 1871, 
and engaged in teaching and farming till 1876; then taught in Davenport 
township, Scott county, three years. Returned to Oxford in 1879, and 
located on the old Cook homestead. He has been for many years a con- 
tributor to the press, giving special attention to educational matters and 
the temperance cause; wrote the " Annals of Oxford" in 1881, for publi- 
cation in the Oxford yoiirnal. His educational advantages consisted of 
the common school training in the public schools of Ohio till twelve years 
of age, and four months in the schools of Iowa subsequently, with a 
course in a normal school for soldiers, at the hospital in Philadelphia, 
while being treated for the wound received at Cedar Creek. The two 
circumstances of his life which he regards as most creditable are his ser- 
vices as a soldier and his advocacy of the cause of temperance in the 
campaign of 1882, which gave to Iowa the prohibitory amendment. 

MARK CORRIG AN, farmer, post-office, Solon; was born in Jefler- 
son county, N. Y., November 11, 181:7. Is a son of Patrick and xAnn 
Corrigan, natives of Ireland. Mr. Corrigan spent the first twenty-one 
years of his life in New York, and came to Iowa and settled in Big Grove 
township, near Solon, in 1869, where he now resides. 

WM. H. COTTER, farmer, post-office, Oxford; was born in Oneida 
count}', N. Y., October 10, 1824, where he spent his early life and fol- 
lowed the manufacture of wooden-ware. In 1852 he went to Massa- 
chusetts, where he lived three years, and then came to Oxford township 
in the spring of 1855, and bought 160 acres of land, which he how owns. 
Since coming here he has been engaged in tilling the soil, and was the 
first assessor in Oxford township, being elected in 1856, and^has since 
filled the offices of township clerk and assessor, and is one of Oxford's best 
citizens. He was married April 25, 1850, to Emmarilda Harrington, of 
Oxford, N. Y.; she dying June 29, 1872, leaving five children: WiUie D., 
now living in Emerson, this state; Ida M., Earl G. and Ernest H., and 
one child deceased, Freddie. It was Freddie who named this township. 
The papers all being filled out but the name, the question came up what 
the new township would be called — this being at Mr. Cotter's house. 
They wrote several names each on a slip of paper and put them in a hat 
and told Freddie, then only three years of age, to take out one piece, and 
he drew the one upon which Oxford was written, it being decided that 
the name he drew should be the name of the township. Mr. Cotter is a 
member of Canopy Lodge No. 290, A. F. and A. M. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 803 

J. COWGILL, a farmer, residing in Graham township, in section 26, 
post-office, Oasis; was born in 1820, in Ohio; came to Iowa and settled in 
Graham township in 1860. He was married in 1848 to Miss Amanda 
Mead, daughter of Samuel Mead. They have seven children; three 
daughters married, one living in Wheeling, Va,, one in Colorado and one 
in Iowa City. 

AARON COX, a farmer and stock raiser, residing in Union township, 
on section 30; was born August ■!, 1860, in that township. His father 
was from Washington county. Pa., and his mother from Ohio; they both 
reside in Union township. He was married January 26, 1882, to Miss 
Mary Omsler, daughter of Phillip Omsler, of Washington township, 
Johnson county. Mr. Cox is a republican in politics. His parents were 
among the first settlers in Union township, where they engaged in farm- 
ing. 

THOMAS J. COX, a resident of Iowa City, engaged in loaning 
money and insurance business, office in Odd Fellows building; was born 
September 15, 1827, in Ashland county, Ohio; came to Iowa City in 1854, 
and was a deputy in the United States land office, under Clark, until 1856, 
when he engaged in the banking business. He was cashier in the Iowa 
State Bank branch at Iowa City until the U. S. National Banking Laws 
were passed, and the Iowa City National Bank was organized, when 
he became the cashier of that bank. He was clerk of the court from 
1862 to 1864, elected by over 700 majority over his opponent, H, E. 
Brown. He was married August 4, 1856, to Miss Cordelia Crogan. 
He is a democrat in politics, and enjoys the confidence of the business 
men of Iowa City. His twenty-six years of business life in Iowa City 
have been marked with success. 

J. R. COZINE, physician and surgeon, post-office, Morse; w^as born 
in Johnson county, in 1856, is the son of Samuel Cozine, who was one of 
the first settlers in Graham township. He entered the Medical College 
in the State University in 1879, and graduated there in 1881. He then 
went to Chicago and practiced pharmac}^ there for one year, and then 
came to Morse station and began the practice of medicine. He now has 
a good practice and also owns and runs a drug store. In 1880 he became 
a member of the Methodist Church. 

ANDREW CRAWFORD, farmer and importer of thoroughbred 
stock; post-office. Lone Tree; was born in Kircubrightshire, Scotland, 
May 11, 1838, and when quite young his parents, Hugh and Jennette 
Crawford, emigrated to Canada, and lived near Toronto some thirteen 
years, and the fall of 1854 came to Iowa City. During early life the sub- 
ject of this sketch followed farm work, and in May, 1866, he purchased a 
half section of land where he now lives, in Fremont township, then being 
wild prairie. He now has one of the best improved farms in the town- 



804 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 



ship, of 385 acres. He pays special attention to importing and raising 
thorougiibred horses, cattle and sheep. He imported the first English 
pure-bred Clydesdale mare in 1877 that ever came to Iowa, at a cost of 
$900, when fifteen months old. In 1865 he imported from Canada the 
first Canada bred horse brought to this county. Since then he has 
imported from Canada six head of Canada bred Clydesdale horses and 
mares. He now has seven head that are recorded in the Clydesdale stock 
book. In January, 1870, he bought a pair of thoroughbred Short-horn 
calves six months old, of A. G. Dunlap, Galesburg, Illinois, and brought 
them home in a wagon, these being the first brought to this county. He 
has now a herd of forty head. He also has some fine Cotswold sheep 
from Canada bred. He was married January 8, 1867, to Jennette Alli- 
son, a native of Canada. This union has been blessed with five children, 
four now living: William, Jessie, Thomas and Walter. 

JERRY CRAY, farmer and stock raiser, post-office. Lone Tree; was 
born in Summerset county, New Jersey, October 1, 1851, and came to 
Johnson county with his parents, Christopher and Precilla, in 1856, and 
has spent his life here on a farm. He now owns 320 acres of land. He 
was married February 19, 1875, to Sarah Hiler, a native of this State. 
They have three children: John H., Rora E. and Albert B. 

JOHN H. CRAY, farmer and stock-raiser, post-office. Lone Tree; 
was born in Summerset county. New Jersey, June 20, 1840, and came to 
Iowa April, 1856, with his parents, Christopher and Precilla Cray, and 
settled in section 5, Fremont township. His father died March 19, 1857. 
Mrs. Cray is still living at the age of seventy-two. There are seven chil- 
dren living, of which the subject of this sketch is next to the oldest. In 
the spring of 1865 he went to Colorado, and returned the summer of 
1866. With that exception he has always lived in this county. In 1866 
he settled in section 32, Pleasant Valley township, where he owns 190 
acres of well improved land, and has erected very fine and commodious 
buildings, and has a fine location, which makes his one of the most pleas- 
ant farm-homes in the county. He gives his attention to farming and 
feeding stock. He was married April 16, 1871, to Sylvia Knapp, a native 
of this State, and a daughter of Stephen A. and Huldah (Cosley) Knapp, 
who came to this State from Pennsylvania about 1849. They have four 
children: Carrie M., born February 19, 1872; Rosa R., born January 24, 
1874; Ethel L., born May 14, 1878, and Lizzie B., born May 4, 1880. 

NATHANIEL CROW, farmer and raiser of fine stock, oost-office, 
Windham; born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, February 14, 1835, and 
is of German descent. Is a son of Michael and Sarah Crow, who are still 
living in Pennsylvania. He spent his early life in his native county on a 
farm, and in 1855 came to Iowa and bought land in Hardin township, 
where he now owns 415 acres of fine land, all well improved, and gives 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 805 

his attention to farming and raising thorouglibred stock. He now has 90 
head of cattle, part of them fine thoroughbred Short-horns. He is one 
of the most enterprising farmers in Johnson county. He was married 
September 1, 1859, to Miss Louisa Schleiter, a native of Ohio, and came 
to Johnson county in the spring of 1854. They have five children, all 
still living: John G., Louisa, Minnie C, Charles S. and Frankie H. 

DAVID CROZIER (deceased), was born in February, 1800, in Fay- 
ette county, Pennsylvania; learned the trade of carpenter; came to Man- 
chester, Ohio, where he followed his trade. There, on the 29th day of 
November, 1821, he was married to Miss Margaret Means. They had 
ten children: John, Nancy, Jane, William M., James, Eliza, Francis M., 
Sarah, Amand, and Thomas, six of this number are living: Thomas and 
Amand are residents of this township. From Manchester Mr. Crozier 
came to Illinois, and helped lay off the town of Paris; from there he went 
to Chicago, and then to Johet, working at his trade. In 1840 he came to 
Iowa, and settled in Johnson county, where he remained up to his death, 
March 19, 1876. His first wife died October 12, 1869. In the fall of 1870 
he was married to Mrs. Roxena Linderman, of Iowa City. Mr. Crozier was 
captain of a company in the Black Hawk war. He was a good citizen, 
loved and respected by all who knew him. 

CAPT. ALFRED B. CREE, a resident of Iowa City, was born Feb- 
ruary 22, 1831, in Perry county, Pennsylvania. He is a cabinet-maker 
by trade. He came to Iowa in 1855, and settled in Iowa City in 1856. 
He enlisted August 7, 1862, and was commissioned captain of Company 
F, Twenty-second Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry, August 10, 1862. 
He was wounded in the right shoulder September 19, 1864, at Winchester, 
Virginia, and wounded in the right leg severely, October 19, 1864, at 
Cedar Creek, Virginia. He was mustered out of the service July 25, 
1865, at Savannah, Georgia, and returned to Iowa City, and entered the 
store of Mr. Nixon, and remained there until 1881, when he became a 
member of the firm of Hohenschub, Cree & Lee, furniture dealers and 
undertakers. He was elected trustee of first ward March, 1869; again, 
in March, 1875, and again in March, 1877, and was chief of the fire 
department four years. He was elected vice-president of the State Fire- 
men's Association in 1880, and re-elected in 1881. He was married 
September 5, 1860, to Miss Hattie Smith of Iowa City. He is a democrat 
in politics, and takes a lively interest in the interests of his party. 

ALONZO B. .CUSTER, a farmer living on section 19, in Union 
township; was born February 11, 1826, in Herkimer county. New York; 
lived in the same house he was born in lor 31 years, and came to Iowa 
City, January 28, 1857, and has resided here ever since. He was married 
June 28, 1849, to Miss Margaret C. Bellinger, of Herkimer county. New 
51 



806 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

York. The}' have seven children: Martha, born in 1851, now Mrs. L. 
Bowton of Mills county, Iowa; Lela, born 1855, now residing in Potta- 
wattamie county; Minnie, born 1857, now Mrs. Wm. Christy, of Mills 
county, Iowa; Grace, born 1859; Earle, born, 1861; Maggie, born 1804; 
and Sophia, born 1870. They have lost two sons, one at eight years, of 
age, and one at four years. His father died in July 1831, and his mother 
in April, 1861. On December 17, 1879, he was driving a threshing 
machine, and got caught in the horse-power, his left hip thrown out of 
joint; abdomen torn open eleven and one half inches; right leg broken 
above the ankle; was bedfast four months, but fully recovered, and is now 
rugged and hearty, with no lameness. His wife was sick during his 
affliction, and died April 28, 1880; age 50 years. He was raised a whig; 
helped to make the republican party in 1856, and been with them ever 
since; does not belong to any church, and voted against the prohibitory 
amendment 

JOHN DANZELL, farmer, post-office, Windham; was born in Cum- 
berland county, Pennsylvania, May 21, 1820. He spent the greater part 
of his early life in Washington county, Pennsylvania; followed wagoning 
for a number of years — this being before the railroads, and all produce 
had to be hauled to market, sometimes hundreds of miles, and goods 
brought back in exchange. In 1840 his parents, George and Mary Dan- 
zell, came to Burlington, but did not like the country,'^and returned to 
Pennsylvania. He was a wagoner in the war of 1812. In 1854 they 
came to Johnson county, and settled on the farm now owned by 
John, the subject of our sketch, and for a number of years kept a hotel 
known as " The Farmers' Home." Mr. Danzell remained a bachelor and 
lived with his parents, until their death, then was married November 1^, 
1868, to Mrs. M. A. D. Armington, her maiden name being Myers, a 
native of Knox county, Ohio, and a daughter of Peter Myers, who came 
to Iowa county November, 1853. She was first married July 5, 1861, to 
Joseph Armington, who was killed by the explosion of gas in an oil-can 
July 29, 1862. Mr. Danzell has a fine farm of 178 acres and a fine farm 
residence, and give his attention to farming and raising stock. 

JOHN DAVIS, farmer. Union township, post-ofhce, Iowa City; was 
born in 1816, at Wells' Park, England; came to America in 1823; landed 
in New York, and moved to Utica, New York; remained there 12 years, 
then came to Johnson county, and settled in Union township. He was 
married in 1852 to Miss Anna Griffith; has five children Hving: Peter D., 
Thomas D., David, Dewey, Ella May, and Elizabeth B., 7 years; Wil- 
liam, 5 years; Eliza H., 6 years; and John, age 9 years, are dead. In poli- 
tics he is a republican. 

THOMAS D. DAVIS, farmer residing in Sharon township, post-office 
Iowa City; was born Nov. 20, 1842, m Cambria county, Pennsylvania. 
Came to Iowa and settled in Sharon township in 1845. He was married 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 807 

March 31, 1869, to Miss Maggie Roberts of Pennsylvania. They have 
six children: Hattie, Emma, Lizzie, Irene, Mattie, Maggie. Member of 
the Congregational (Welch) church in Sharon township. Member of the 
A. O. U. W. of Iowa City. Republican in politics and has held several 
township office, and has been elected the third time for justice of the peace 
for Sharon township. He is president of the stock company that owns 
the Sharon cheese factory, and one of its directors. He has a good farm 
well stocked, and is a successful business man. 

L. DAVIS, a resident of Tiffin, was born Oct. 26, 1823, in Windham 
county, Connecticut. He came to Johnson county, and settled in Clear 
Creek township, in the fall of 1855. He was married June 18, 1843, to 
Miss Elizabeth Ewers, of Knox county, Ohio. She died in June, 1848, 
in Lucas county. His second marriage was Sept. 27, 1848, to Miss Mary 
Smith of Williams county, Ohio. He was a soldier in the Federal army, in 
Co. F., 14th Regiment Iowa Infantry, and was taken prisoner at Shiloh, 
Tennessee. He is a member of the Christian Church in Tiffin. He has 
had charge of Plymesser & Douglass' grain elevator and lumber business 
at Tiffin for four years. Is a republican in politics ; he has held the office 
of township trustee and justice of the peace for two years. 

JOHN DAVIS, Coralville; was born in Franklin county, Massachu- 
setts, Sept. 25, 1834. In 1841, he emigrated with his parents to Putman 
county, Illinois, where he spent his early life and learned the macfhinist 
trade. He was in the Government employ at Cairo, Illinois, during the 
war. He came to Johnson county in 1864 and engaged with Borland & 
Clark, afterwards with the Iowa City Bale Rope Manufacturing Co. In 
1869 he built the planing mill at Coralville and in 1871 the saw mill, which 
he still owns. He was married twice; first Dec. 25, 1856, to Miss Martha 
A. Stilley, a native of IlHnois, and the second time to Mary A. Stilley, 
July 4, 1865. There are three children by the first marriage: John, 
William and Alice; and four by the last: Emma, Leora, Otis and Harry. 
He is a member of No. 44, I. O. O. F. 

ISAAC V. DENNIS, a farmer residing in West Lucas township, post- 
office, Iowa City; was born Nov. 11, 1822, at Batavia, Clermont county, 
Ohio. . He left there and settled in Iowa with his mother and family in 
1838, May the 1st, where he now lives on section six. When they crossed 
the Iowa river they took the wagon apart and shipped it over in a canoe 
and swam the oxen. His residence was for two years the farthest west 
of any building in Johnson county, the very picket outpost of civilization. 
In 1840 William Dunn brought some printing material to Iowa City and 
Mr. Dennis did the first type setting ever done in Johnson county, and got 
out a paper called the Iowa City 'Standard^ of whig politics; this was 
some time early in 1840, and the Iowa City Republican of to-day is the 
continuation of that first paper. Later in the same year Mr. Dennis 



808 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Started the Iowa City Aro-us, a democratic paper. Afterwards worked some 
years at type setting on State work (see chapter on newspapers of the 
county.) He was married Dec. 31, 1843, to Miss Elizabeth Fellows of 
what was then called Iowa City township. They have six children: Emily, 
George, Lucien I., William Delos, Samuel Kirk wood and Grant. He 
built the tirst frame house in Iowa City. 

J. B. DENISON, farmer, post-office, North Liberty; the oldest resi- 
dent of this township; was born Dec. 1, 1815, in Muskingdon county, 
Ohio. His parents, Gerdon and Etherlinda Denison, were natives of Mas- 
sachusetts. They moved to Ohio where J. B. was born and raised on a 
farm. At the age of twenty-three he left Ohio to come to Illinois, where 
he had two brothers. [See History.] He was then a single man. After 
arriving here he entered 32() acres of land in section one, where he still 
resides. He boarded with his brother G. S., and followed braking prairie 
for a number of years, renting his farm. On the 10th day of April, 1853, 
he was married to Miss Elizabeth Diggins of this count}-, formerly from 
Pennsylvania. To them were born five children, four living: Mariah, 
Julia A.\ Matilda P. and David Ely. His wife died Nov. 5, 1875. By 
his industry, he has accumulated considerable property; he owns 540 
acres of land. He has long been a member of the M. E. Church, a 
republican in politics, and temperance man in every sense of the term. 

ISAAC N. DeSELLEM, farmer, Pleasant Valley township, post-office, 
Iowa City; was born in Jefierson county, Ohio, February 7, 1820. Came 
to Johnson county and settled on a farm in Pleasant Valley in 1854. He 
was married Oct. 29, 1846, to Miss Margaret J. Mahan, of JefTerson county, 
Ohio. They are the parents of the following children: Hannah E., 
George B. and John L., who died in 185t>, aged eight years. He is a 
republican in politics, and voted for the prohibitory constitutional amend- 
ment. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Church. He was 
a soldier in the late civil war, in company I, 22d Iowa Infantry; entered 
in the summer of 1862, and was discharged at Vicksburg on account of 
disability in 1863. He died in September, 1882, since this sketch was 
written. 

S.J. DEVOE, farmer. Lone Tree; was born in Cortland county. New 
York, Februar}' 5, 1821. His father moved to Onondaga county when 
he was seven years of age, where the subject of our sketch spent his 
early life and got a common school education. He came to Iowa City 
January 1, 1856, on the first train that came into the city on the C, R. I. 
& P. R. R. The following spring he came to Fremont township, where 
he bought 160 acres of land, where he now lives and at present owns 240 
acres, all well improved, and has a fine home. He was married, June 26, 
1845, to Elvira Williams, a native of New York; she dying September 
14, 1860. He was again married, September 4, 1861, to Mrs. Margaret 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 809 

Lutz (formerly Huskins), daughter of Richard Huskins, of Lone Tree; 
she coming to this county in 1856, from Pennsylvania. There were five 
children by the first marriage, four still living: Allen S., Sarah L., now 
Mrs. Wm. Draubaugh, Ellen E., now Mrs. Z. T. Baker, Flora E. and 
Mosier J., deceased; and by the second marriage they have had eight 
children, five now living: Richard H., Elizabeth E., George A., Charlotte 
H. and Maggie M., and Mary A., Juliette R. and an infant, deceased. 
Mrs. Devoe first married Dr. John Lutz, a native of Pennsylvania, July 
9, 1851; he dying April 22, 1858, leaving four children: James C, now 
deceased; Georgiana, William F. and John. Mr. Devoe and family are 
members of the Reform Church. 

STRAWDER DEVAULT, farmer, post-oftice, Solon; was born in 
Ross county, Ohio, February 4, 1818. When about eight years of age, 
his parents moved to the northern part of Ohio, where they lived eight 
years, then removed to Indiana. In 1839 the subject of our sketch emi- 
grated to Iowa and settled in Johnson county, and bought a claim where 
he now resides, paying seventy dollars therefor. In the spring of 1850 he 
went to California, and returned in 1851; with that exception he has 
always remained in this county. He now owns 750 acres of land, and is 
one of the most wealthy men in the northern part of the county. He was 
married, in July, 1848, to Hannah Stiles, a native of New York State, 
daughter of Warren Stiles, who came to this county in 1837; she dying 
June 12, 1881. They had six children: Jasper N., Stephen A., Ellen, 
LaFayette, Seneth and David. 

JOSEPH DICKENSON, farmer and stock-raiser, Graham township; 
son of loseph and Anna Dickenson, deceased; was born in 1860 in John- 
son county. He was married, July 4, 1881, to Miss Amelia Wentz, 
daughter of Paul Wentz, of Johnson county, Iowa. They have one 
child, a boy, named Joseph. 

JOHN DILATUSH, farmer and stock raiser; post-office, Downey, 
Cedar county; was born November 28, 1828, in Essex county. New Jer- 
sey; went to Ohio in 1838, and lived in Warren county until 1859, and then 
came to Johnson county and settled in Pleasant Valley in the fall of that 
year, now Lincoln township, and has resided there ever since. He was mar- 
ried November 30, 1853, to Miss Rachel Hunt, of Harveysburg, Ohio, 
Warren county. They have but one child, an only daughter, Mary F., 
wife of James S. Watson. He makes a specialty of Jersey cattle and fine 
horses, roadsters; he is the owner of the celebrated stallion Marshal Ney, 
record, 2:35. He is a Republican in politics; has held the office of justice ot 
the peace for sixteen years; was member of the board of supervisors for 
Johnson county for seven years, and was the Republican candidate for 
Representative in 1881, but was defeated by a small majority. Mr. D. is 
one of the Johnson county successful farmers. 



810 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

L. B. DILLE, farmer and stock raiser, Scott township, in section 22; 
post-office, Iowa City; was born February 26, 1821, in Cuyahoga county, 
Ohio. At 21 3^ears of age he began the practice of dentistr}^, which he 
followed twenty-two years. In 1846 he moved to Kent county, Michigan, 
remaining there ten years, and returned to his native state; he came to 
Johnson county in 1868. He was married in Ohio in 1846 to Miss 
Rohannah White, of Erie county. New York. Their family consists of 
four children: Ella, wife of James K. Serney, of Clinton, Iowa, and Eva 
are living, and Hudson and Darwin are dead. Mr. Dille has been a mem- 
ber of the Christain Church for forty-one years; was justice of the peace 
in Michigan for four years, and held the office of trustee in that State. 

D. M. DIXON, farmer, Graham township; residing in section 35, post- 
office, Oasis; was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, August 7, 1829; 
settled in Johnson county, Iowa, October 9, 1852. He was married April 
13, 1854, to Miss Mary Douglass. This union has been blessed by two 
children: Naomi, wife of John T. Stevenson, of Atlantic, Iowa, and Miss 
Belle. He is a republican in politics, and a member of the Presbyterian 
Church at Fairview ; has been superintendent of the Sunday School fifteen 
years; he has been school director nearly ever since he has been in Gra- 
ham township, township trustee and justice of the peace for four years. 
He is one of Graham township's successful farmers, and a highly respected 
citizen. 

J. DONDORE, a resident of Iowa City; was born October 11, 1830, in 
Berks county, Pennsylvania; came to Iowa City in 1856; he is a black- 
smith by trade, and opened a shop when he first settled in Iowa City, and 
now has a wagon, carriage and repair shop in connection, with his black- 
smith shop on the corner of College and Dubuque streets. He was mar- 
ried September 16, 1859, to Miss Dorotha Landry, of Iowa City; she 
died in June, 1874. They had two children: Frank and Clinton. He is a 
member of the M. E. Church of Iowa City; a member of No. 6, I. O. O. 
F. and V. A. S., of Iowa City. He was married in June, 1875, to Miss 
Julia Hetzel, of Windam, Hardin township; he is a republican in politics. 

GEORGE W. DODDER, a resident of Iowa City; was born May 11, 
1815, in Sussex county. New Jersey. He was married March 18, 1837, 
to Miss Effie J. Predmore, of Stillwater, New Jersey. He settled in Iowa 
City, July 14, 1855; and filled the office of justice of the peace for seven- 
teen years, and has been in the insurance business twenty-one years. On 
the 8th day of June, 1869, was duly empaneled on the first jury of colored 
citizens in the United States, and the justice says they did equal and exact 
justice to the plaintiff and defendant, both of whom were "American citi- 
zens of African descent"; he is a democrat in politics, and was elected 
justice of the peace again in 1882. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 811 

MICHAEL DONOHOE, farmer and stock-raiser; residing on section 
one in Graham township, post-office, Morse; was born 1833, in Ireland, a 
son of James and Mary Donohoe; came to America in 1853, landed in 
New Orleans; went to Ohio, and from there to Illinois, and finally in the 
fall of 1854 settled in Clear Creek township, Johnson count}-, Iowa; lived 
there three years and moved to Iowa City, and in 1859 settled in Graham 
township. He was married in 1856 to Miss Ellen Peters, of Iowa City. 
This union is blessed with ten children: two boys, and eight girls. The 
family are members of the St, Mary's Roman Catholic Church. He is a 
democrat in politics. 

PATRICK DONOHOE, a farmer and stock-raiser, residing in Gra- 
ham township, on section 1, post-office address, Morse; was born in March, 
1825, in Ireland: came to America in 1849, and landed in Mobile, Ala- 
bama, and lived a short time in New Orleans; moved to Ohio in 1850; 
remained there nine months, and moved to Warren county Illinois; lived 
there until 1852, and that year settled in Iowa City, and made that his 
home until 1855, and finally settled in Graham township. He was mar- 
ried in 1855 to Miss Catharine Peters of Johnson county, Iowa. They 
have four children, three boys and one girl. The family are members of 
the St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in the Nolans settlement in Cedar 
county. A democrat in politics. 

PATRICK O. DON A VAN, a farmer and stock-raiser residing in 
Graham township, post-office address Morse; was born in 1827, in 
County Cork, Ireland; came to America in 1852, and lived in New York 
two years and finally, in 1856, settled in Graham township, Johnson 
county, Iowa. He was married in 1853 to Miss Ellen Maher of Iowa 
City, They have eight children, five boys and three girls. The family 
are members of the Roman Catholic Church. A democrat in politics. 

PATRICK DONAVAN, a resident of Graham township, post-office, 
Morse, a farmer and stock-raiser; was born in County Cork, Ireland, in 
1827, and came to New York in 1852; Hved there two years, and came 
to Iowa City; lived there ten years, and then came to Graham township. 
He was married in Iowa City in 1853 to Miss Ellen Maher, They 
have eight children. Mr, and Mrs. Donavan are members of the Cath- 
olic Church. 

J. M. DOUGLASS, a farmer residing near Tiffin, and the senior mem- 
ber of the firm of Douglass & Plymesser, grain merchants and agricul- 
tural dealers at Tiffin; was born November 12, 1834, in Richland county, 
Ohio; came to Iowa in 1839. He was married March 18, 1850, to Miss 
Susan B. Frazee of Johnson county, Iowa. They have eight children: 
Rosie, wife of L. T. Nipher; Edward E., J. William, Jesse B,, Myra, Bur- 
ton, Clinton A., and Addie. A greenbacker in poHtics; was formerly a 
republican, and was elected assessor on the greenback ticket; has been 



812 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

justice of the peace, and trustee of Clear Creek township. He is one of 
the enterprising men of Clear Creek township. 

WILLIAM A. DOUGLASS, farmer, post-office, Oxford; was born 
in this township August 10, 1847; is a son of James and Fannie Douglass. 
He has followed farming and the carpenter trade. He was married 
December 25, 1866, to Mary E. Brenneman. They had two children: 
Mary E. and Fannie. He was again married to Margaret House Janu- 
ary 7, 1878. They have one child, Mary, born October 7, 1881. He is 
now hving on the old Douglass homestead, the first settled farm in the 
township. 

JAMES H. DOUGLASS, farmer, section 26, post-office, Oxford; was 
born in this township February 5, 1841, and is a son of James Douglass, 
the first settler in what is now Oxford township. His father died in 1854. 
He staid at home and assisted his mother in the hotel, as his father had 
kept public house for several years in section 24. In January, 1856, he 
enlisted in company F, Twenty-second Iowa, and since the war has been 
engaged in the carpenter trade, furniture business and farming, and owns 
100 acres of land. He was married October 15, 1866, to Mary Rose, a 
native of New York city, and a daughter of Bernard Rose, a German, 
who was bandmaster of the fifth New York regiment in the Mexican 
war, and took his family, which consisted of wife and daughter Mary, 
with him, Mar}^ then being only two years of age. She was with her father 
five years in the army. After the war they went back to New York, and 
came to Johnson county in 1857. Mr. Rose died in 1869. Mr. and Mrs. 
Douglass have six children: Charlie L., Rosa A., Albert B., Mary A., 
John S., and William M. 

DAVID DRAUBAUGH, farmer, post-office. Lone Tree; was born 
in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, May 30, 1818, where he spent his 
early life and worked on a farm, and in his father's distiller}' until 1852, 
when he came to Johnson county, and settled where he now lives and 
owns 195 acres of land. He has been twice married; first to Eliza Steel, 
May 15, 1840, she dying March 1, 1871, leaving six children: Arm- 
strong, Theophilas, Melinda, Emahne, Albert T. and Ellsworth. He 
was again married, November 20, 1873, to Sarah A Michael, a native of 
Mifflin county, Pennsylvania. They have two children: Minne M. and 
Annie J. V. 

MICHAEL DUFFY, the subject of this sketch, was born in Ireland 
in 1810; came to America and to Iowa City in March, 1840. He was 
married June 14, 1841, to Miss Helen Burns. They raised a large family 
of children, and he lived to see them all matured and well settled in life 
and able to take care of themselves. He died in March, 1882, on his old 
homestead in section 35, township 79, universally respected by all who 
came in contact with the influence of his good natured ways. He made 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 813 

his claim on Old Man's creek, in the Ricord settlement in 18i3. He often 
spoke of possessing the honor of having- worked on the foundation of the 
old capitol building, and the great pride he felt in being the man selected 
to throw the first shovel of dirt in breaking ground for the foundation. 

FRANK DUNKEL, a resident of Iowa City; born August 8, 1854, 
in Iowa City. He was married April 11, 18T6; has two children: Charlie, 
born October 8, 1877; Frankie, born April 11, 1878. His father is still 
hving at the ripe old age of seventy-three; his mother died in Iowa City 
in 1855. 

KASPER DUNKEL, a resident of Iowa City; was born Sept. 15, 
1809, in Bavaria, Germany. Came to America in July, 1836, landed in 
New York; finally settled in Iowa City in July, 1840. He was married 
in September, 1837, in Boston, to Miss Mary A. Alnier. She died of 
cholera in Iowa City, in August, 1855. They had three children: Wil- 
liam J., Henry and Frank. The family are members of the St. Mary's 
Roman Catholic Church of Iowa Cit}-. He was one of the original mem- 
bers of this church, and is the oldest member living of the original mem- 
bers. 

WILLIAM J. DUNKEL, a resident of Iowa City, and a merchant, 
doing business on Linn street near the St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church; 
was born Oct. 9, 1840, in Iowa City, and was the first male child born in 
Iowa City. He was married April 6, 1875, to Miss Rosa Lutter, of 
Richmond, Iowa. They have three children living: Eugene W., George, 
K., and Willie B. The family are members of the St. Mary's Roman 
Catholic Church of Iowa City. He was the first child baptized in Iowa 
City by this church. He is a democrat in politics. 

R. L. DUNLAP, a resident of Iowa City, and dealer in all kinds of heavy 
farm machinery, threshing machines and agricultural implements; was 
born June 6, 1823, in Cherry Valley, New York; came to Iowa City in 
1858; bought grain a short time, and then engaged in his present business 
in 1863; office on Washington street, near the new city hall. He was 
married June 15, 1847, to Miss Alma L. Willey. She died December 5, 
1358. They had two children, Fannv H., wife of M. A. Lumbard, of 
Des Moines, Iowa; Meracus F., married and lives at O'Falan, Mo. He 
was married April 23, 1866, to Mrs. Orlando S. Cole of Iowa City. They 
have two children: Robert O. and Ralph L. He is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, of Iowa City. A republican in politics. He 
has the agency of many valuable inventions, and his ware-rooms contain 
a large assortment of agricultural implements and farm machinery. He 
is recognized as one of the substantial business men of Iowa City. 

EDWARD DUPONT, son of Henry F. Dupont, one of the early set- 
tlers of Monroe township, was born Jul}^ 8, 1861, at the old homestead in 
Monroe township. His father received injuries from his team running 



814 HISTORV OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

away about a year before he died. His system received a severe shock, 
and he died July 2, 1874. His mother is still living in Kansas. This 
young man is a student in Iowa City. His father had accumulated a fine 
fortune, and left it unimpared to his children. Mr. Dupont is a democrat 
in politics, and an industrious young man of good habits. 

JACOB DURST, a farmer, residing in Sharon township; was born 
May 20, 1827, in Bavaria; came to America in 1855; landed in New 
York City, and came to Johnson county and settled in Sharon township 
in May of the same year. He was married Jan. 19, 1853, to Miss Cath- 
arine Stahl, of Bavaria. They have five children: Barbara, wife of 
Abraham Deckendar; Lena, Charlie, Jacob C. and Henry. He is a demo- 
crat in politics, and is one of the trustees of Sharon township at present, 
and has been for five years. He has made a specialty of raising amber 
cane and making syrup; made 500 gallons from his own raising, and 
cooked for others 1,200 gallons in 1882; he has been in the business twelve 
years, and has made a success of it; he has a fine farm and plenty of good 
stock; has an orchard of about three acres, and for seventeen years has 
never failed to raise all the apples he needed and more every year. The 
large orchard is of young trees, part beginning to bear. 

HENRY EAR HART, a farmer, and resident of Liberty township; 
post-office, Iowa City. Was born June 10, 1814, in Virginia; left there in 
1828 and settled near Dayton, Ohio, and resided there until 1837, and in 
the spring of that year came to Johnson county, and with his brother took 
up a piece of land of 120 acres upon which is now situated Coralville. He 
was married in 1843 to Miss Mary Oberholster, of Johnson county. She 
died in 1858, September 28, ot dropsy. He then married the widow of 
William Morford. By this union they had four children: William H. and 
Samuel, still living, and Nevada and Mary E., deceased. Has lived 
in Liberty township where he now resides, thirty-one years. He is 
a democrat in politics and voted against the prohibitory constitutional 
amendment. 

W. M. EDDY, farmer and stock raiser, Oxford; was born in Lake 
county, Ohio, Jul}' 2, 1836, where he spent his boyhood days until he was 
sixteen, and in 1852 went to Illinois with his parents, Benjamin and Louisa 
Eddy. They lived in Bureau county one year, then came to Oxford town- 
ship in 1853, and settled on the farm now owned by William. Here they 
entered eighty acres and bought more, and tented out in a hay shanty 
until they could build a log one. Benjamin died July 27, 1870, and his 
wife, Louisa, April 16, 1878, leaving five children. The subject of our 
sketch enlisted in August, 1861, in Co. G, 8th Iowa Infantry, and was 
wounded at Vicksburg. Since the war he has given his attention to farm- 
ing and raising stock, and now owns 304 acres of fine land and has fine 
buildings and improvements. He was married January 27, 1868, to Erne- 



HISTORV OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 815 

line Brant, a native of Pennsylvania, but who came here with her father, 
Samuel Brant, in 1856. They have five children: Allen J., horn April 8, 
1870; Rosetta, born November 13, 1872; Benjamin F., born October 26, 
1874; Orville W., born October 25, 1877, and an infant, born May 1, 1882. 

GILES EDMONDS, farmer, post-office. River Junction; was born in 
New York State, March 19, 1831. When about nine years of age his 
parents, James and Harriett, moved to Hamilton county, Ohio, where they 
lived a few years, and in 1850 emigrated to Iowa and settled in this town- 
ship, where the subject of this sketch has since resided, and owns 150 
acres of land, and has a fine residence. He was married in 1852 to Eliza- 
beth Hendricks; she dying in 1853, he was again married in 1854, to 
Cynthia A. Evans, she dying February 2, 1875, leaving six children: 
Emma, Agnes, Luther, Eva, Addie and Albert. He was again married 
to Mrs. Mary Lewis, formerly Miss Pullen, August 11, 1881. 

JOSEPH A. EDWARDS, attorney at law, Iowa City; was born Sep- 
tember 1, 1845, in Putnam county. Ills. He was married June 14, 1877, 
to Miss Emma Hems worth. He was a soldier in Co. B, 139th Illinois 
Infantry from June, 1864, till the close of the war. He graduated from 
the Law Department of the State University in 1873, and entered the law 
practice in this city the same year; is a republican in politics; was city 
solicitor in 1880, and was one of a committee to compile and revise the 
city ordinances. He was chairman of the republican central committee in 
1881. 

JOHN EGERM AN, a resident of Solon, Big Grove township; was 
born November 1, 1852, in Bohemia; came to America and settled in 
Iowa City, the spring of 1854. He was married September 16, 1873, to 
Miss Elizabeth Elick, of Linn county, Iowa. He is a blacksmith by trade, 
but met with an accident, a horse falling on him while he was shoeing the 
animal; having received such injuries as disabled him from working at his 
trade, he began butchering and opened a shop in Solon in 1874. He is a 
democrat in politics and voted against the prohibitory amendment. 

MICHAEL EIUIG, a resident of Iowa City, doing business and liv- 
ing on Iowa Avenue; was born December 25, 1836, in Prussia; came to 
America in 1854, landed in Quebec and settled in Iowa City, October 31, 
1854. He was married April 24, 1864, to Miss Mary Pohler, of New- 
port township. They have four children : George, Thomas, Theresa and 
Jennevie. The family are members of the St. Mary's Roman Catholic 
Church of Iowa City. He is a democrat in politics. His son Thomas is 
a child of remarkable size for his age, was born November 23, 1874, in 
Iowa City, weighs 120 pounds, 4 feet and 3| inches high. He cannot 
speak, but is rather intelligent, and able to make alljhis wants known by 
certam signs and sounds. 



816 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

WILLIAM EMONDS, the present Catholic Priest of St. Mary's 
Church of Iowa City. Was born June 13, 1830, in Bielefield, Prussia; is 
of French ancestry. He graduated a minister in 1849, and immigrated 
to America the same year and settled in Dubuque. In 1852 he was 
ordained a Catholic priest, and was the pastor for three years of the 
German congregation of Dubuque. Under the direction of the bishop he 
traveled in Iowa from 1855 until the fall of 1856, searching for Catholics 
and in the work of establishing new missions. Near the close of 1856 he 
took charge of St. Peter's Church in Keokuk. In 1857 he traveled 
extensively in Europe, and after he regained his health, he returned to 
America and settled in Iowa City, and took charge of the St. Mary's 
congregation. Under the head of churches, in this history, will be found 
a complete sketch of his life and service in connection with a church 
where vast accumulation of church property is the result of commendable 
zeal and sacrifice on the part of a faithful and devoted people. 

LOUIS ENGLERT, a farmer and brewer, residing in East Lucas 
township, north of Iowa City about two miles, post-office, Iowa City; was 
born December 28, 1 810, in Bavaria, on the Rhine; came to America in 
1840; landed in New Orleans, and then went to Cincinnati, Ohio; lived there 
two years, and settled in Iowa City in May, 1842. He was married 
October, 1843, to Miss Clara Kempfar, of Iowa City; they have seven liv- 
ing children: Henry J., John J., Mary, wife of Frank Rittenmyer, Francis, 
George, Louis, and Frank. The family are members of the St. Mary's 
Roman CathoHc Church of Iowa City. Mr. Englert is a democrat in 
politics. He was a soldier in the Union army, a private in Company D, 
37th Regiment Iowa Infantry from Johnson county. He built the first 
brewery in Iowa City, now owned and occupied by his son John and 
son-in-law, Frank Rittenmyer, the size of the first building, of stone, was 
20x36 feet, the old frame building was 30x40, a cellar under the entire 
stone building. He used a brass kettle and made from six to ten barrels 
per day, and ran this brewery until 1877, when he sold to his son and son- 
in-law for half price, $6,000, it was then worth $1'J,000. He gave $75 
for the lot in 1842 and put up a building worth about $250. 

GEORGE ENGLERT, a resident of Iowa City, son of Louis Englert; 
was born November 17, 1861, in Iowa City, in the room in the Englert 
& Rittenmyer brewery where the beer is "jei"ked" for the thirsty traveler, 
and George takes pleasure in "jerking it," and often sa3'S, "the bed 1 was 
born on stood right in this place where I am now drawmg beer." lie 
was accidentally shot April 13, 1879, while in a boat hunting ducks on the 
Iowa river above the Terrill dam. He was shot in the right hand and 
in the arm above the elbow. He is not a cripple in any way, but a bad 
scar is visible in the front of his arm above the elbow. He is a democrat 
in politics. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 817 

HENRY J. ENGLERT, a resident of Iowa City, doinor business and 
livincj on Iowa Avenue, No. 113 and 115; was born April 8, 1840, in Iowa 
City. He was married February 7, 1872, to Miss Mary A. Riley. This 
union was blessed with two children: Joseph P. and Clara. His wife died 
March 23, 1882, and September 19, 1882, he was married to Lena Rink, 
of Coralville, Iowa. The family are members of the St. Mary's Roman 
Catholic Church of Iowa City. A democrat in politics; he has been a 
member of the fire department for many years, serving as assistant chief 
and other offices of company No. 1. 

JOHN J. ENGLERT, a resident of Iowa City, and senior member of 
the firm of Englert & Rittenmyer, proprietors of the city brewery, on 
Market street; was born October 25, 1849, in Iowa City. He was married 
October 4, 1875, to Miss Mary Larsheck, of Iowa City. They have 
three children: Willie, Frank and Mary; his wife died in June, 1879. 
He is a member of the St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church of Iowa 
City. He is a democrat in politics. He is one of the young enter- 
prising business men of Iowa City. The " city brewery " is well 
known for the excellence of its products, and the integrity and enterprise 
of its proprietors. Mr. Englert comes from an industrious and prosperous 
family, and is thoroughly posted in his business, and John and Frank are 
both affable and generally popular with their costumers; they have an 
excellent brewery and enjoy an extensive trade that is constantly increas- 
ing. 

JACOB H. ERB, deceased; was born in Lancaster county, Pennsyl- 
vania, October 24, 1824, where he spent his early life and learned the 
miller's trade. In 1850 he moved to Virginia, where he lived until 1855, 
when he emigrated to Iowa and lived in Linn county one year, then 
moved to North Bend, Johnson county, where he lived until 1860, when 
he moved to Fremont township, section 3, where he followed farming, 
owning 338 acres of fine improved land and good buildings at the time ot 
his death, May 26, 1881. He was a speaker in the Dunkard Church for 
fifteen years. He was an upright, honest man in all his dealings and well 
beloved by all his neighbors. Mr. Erb was married, October ^8, 1849, 
to Susannah Zug, a native of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania; she is 
now living on the farm with her five children: Charles H., Mary A., 
John I., Joseph W. and Elizabeth E. The boys carry on the farm work 
under the charge of Charles, the oldest; they also pay considerable atten- 
tion to stock-raising. 

C. T. ESTABROOK, express and telegraph agent, Oxford; was born 
in Wayne county, Pennsylvania, May 31, 1849, where he lived until his 
sixteenth year; he then went to Delaware, where he followed railroading 
and telegraphing, and in December, 1869, he came to Oxford and took 
charge of the railroad office, a position he has smce held, and has the con- 



818 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

fidence of his employers and their many patrons. He was married, Sep- 
tember 21, 1875, to Miss Annie M. Watson, of this place, but a native of 
New York. The}' have three children: Virginia, Lillie C. and William 
T. Mr. and Mrs. Estabrook are members of the Presbyterian Church, 
and Mr. E. is a member of Canopy Lodge, No. 290, A. F. and A. M., 
and of Iowa City Chapter, No. 2, and of Palestine Commandery, No. 2; 
also of the A. O. U. W. and U. O. IL, of Oxford. 

W. B. FACKLER, farmer, post-office, Ely, Linn county; was born in 
Pennsylvania, November 23, 1830. When three years of age his parents, 
Samuel and Eliza, moved to Richland county, Ohio, where they lived 
seven years, then moved to Wisconsin, where the subject of this sketch 
resided until 1863, when he came to Johnson county, and now owns 84 
acres of land in Big Grove township. He was married, July 10, 1855, to 
Elizabeth TurnbuU, a native of New York State. They have five sons: 
William H., Charles F., James T., Jerome U. and Elmer C. William H. 
was born June 12, 1856, and married December 25, 1877, to Florence S. 
Hahn, a native of Linn county. They have one son, Edgar C. He is 
the owner of 78 acres of land. 

HON. SAMUEL H. FAIRaLL, lawyer and politician, Iowa City; 
was born June 21, 1835, at Little Meadows, Alleghany county, Maryland. 
He graduated at Washington College, Pennsylvania, June 20, 1855, and 
October 1, of the same year, came to Iowa City and began the study of 
law, and was admitted to the bar July 22, 1856. He was married, in 
1857, to Miss Ellen J. Workman. In 1861 he was elected to the house of 
representatives; in 1863 he was elected to the board of supervisors and 
served two vears; was city and county attorney during this time; in 1867 
he was elected to the State senate over E. Clark; in 1871 he was re-elected 
to the State senate over S. J. Kirkwood. He is a democrat in poHtics. 
In 1868 he was a delegate to the democratic national convention. He is 
the present county attorney, and one of Johnson county's pioneers, and 
takes an active part in public aflairs. 

ISAAC FAIRCHILD, farmer, post-office Shoo Fly; was born in 
Grant county, Dominion of Canada, July 24, 1833, where he spent his 
early life and attended the academy at Mt. Pleasant. At the age of nine- 
teen he came to the United States, and to Johnson county in 1854, and 
has since made this his home. He now owns 160 acres of land, and has 
a pleasant home. He was married Sept. 30, 1862, to Martha A. Baker, 
a native of Virginia. They have four children: Clement W., Charles 
A., Lewella E. and Bertie H. 

HON. HENRY FELKNER, a farmer, residing in Muscatine county, 
Iowa, post-office Downey; was born April 18, 1810, in Fairfield county, 
Ohio. He settled in Indiana in 1835, and in the spring of 1837, moved to 
and settled in Johnson county, Iowa, where he took up a claim of 960 acres 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 819 

of land and built two saw mills, and was a member of '34 and '35 legisla- 
tures from Johnson county. He has held man}^ offices of honor, profit 
and trust in Johnson county, and he says he still feels a deep interest in the 
history and welfare oi the county. He was married Dec. 31, 1842, to 
Miss Elizabeth Lewis, of Muscatine county. Her parents settled in that 
county, near West Liberty, in 1841. They had thirteen children; five 
sons and five daughters survive the mother. Mr. F. is a democrat in 
politics. He has retired from an active life, and in his old days is greatly 
afflicted. 

THOMAS FERN, a contractor in Iowa City; was born April 4, 1844, in 
Kings county, N. Y. Settled in Iowa City in September, 1859. He was mar- 
ried January 21, 1865, to Miss Julia Sanders, of Iowa City. They have 
three children: Cay, May and John. They are members of the St. 
Mary's Roman Catholic Church of Iowa City. Mr. F. is independent in 
politics. 

CHARLES FERNSTROM, farmer and stock raiser, post-ofl^ce 
Lone Tree; was born in Sweden, City of Skara, August 22, 1833, where 
he spent his early life and attended the university of his native city; also 
engaged in clerking in a book store for some time. He came to America 
alone in 1850, and lived in Minnesota three years; then went to California, 
where he followed mining and farming eleven year^. He then returned 
to Johnson county, Iowa, and bought the farm he now lives on in 1865. 
He owns 310 acres of well improved land, and has a fine residence, good 
barn, etc., and pays special attention to raising stock. He was married 
January 4, 1870, to Miss Mabel Evans, a native of Madiscn county. New 
York, coming to this county in 1866. They have four children: Alice 
R., Charles J., Helen M. and George A. He is a member of the Masonic 
lodge at Oxford, also of M. E. Church. 

JOSEPH FI ALA, grain buyer, post-office Solon ; was born in Bohemia, 
January 19, 1833, and spent his early life in his native sountry until 1852, 
when he came to America with his father, and lived in Cleveland, Ohio, 
two years, then came to Solon and bought government land. He has 
since lived here, and in 1876, he commenced buying grain at the station 
and also buys some stock. He owns 160 acres of land in Cedar town- 
ship, which is well improved. He was married in November, 1856, to 
Catherine Kolda, also a native of Bohemia. They have six children: 
Joseph, Annie, John, Josephine, Wesley and Stephen. He is a member 
of the Catholic Church, and one of the original members of the church 
three miles northeast of town. 

SILAS M. FINCH, attorney at law, Iowa City; was born August 22, 
1840, in McHenr}^ county, Illinois. He was married June 17, 1868, to 
Miss Maria W. Stark, of Woodstock, Illinois; she died of consumption in 
December, 10 1881. Mr. F. was a faithful soldier during the late war; 



820 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

enlisted in the Eitjhth Illinois Cavalry in 1861. He served under McClel- 
lan, Burnsides, Meade and Hooker, in all the important battles fought by 
them; was with Butler up the James river in 1864, and was discharged as 
a lieutenant in Texas, in 1866. He settled in Iowa City in 1869, and was 
admitted to the bar in Iowa City in 1870, and has practiced here ever since; 
is a republican in politics, and has always taken quite an active part in the 
actions of his party. 

W. R.FISHER, telegraph operator, ticket, freight and express agent 
at Morse, for the B., C.R. & N. R. R.; was born in Vermont, in 1856; 
came to Iowa in 1861, and was married to Miss Artie Williams, of Indepen- 
dence, Iowa; came to Morse in June, 1877, and has been there since. He 
is a member of the Masonic lodge, chapter and commandery. 

JOHN FISHER, harness maker, post-office, Oxford; wasborn'in Bohe- 
mia, January 1, 1848, and at the age of fourteen came to America alone, 
and settled in Iowa City, where he learned his trade with Frank Quber, 
working three years; then he worked for different parties, and went to St. 
Joseph and Kansas City, Missouri, and worked in both places; then 
returned and worked in Iowa City several years, and in June, 1879, came 
to Oxford and started a shop, and now has the (mly shop in the town. He 
was married October 16, 1872, to Lizzie Chap, also a native of Bohemia. 
They have three children: John, Mary, and Charlie. 

JACOB H, FISHER, merchant, post-office, Solon; was born in Rock 
Island county, Illinois, March 13, 1853. In 1856 his parents, James and 
Soloma Fisher, moved to Solon, where Mr. F. engaged in the dry goods 
trade, and afterwards in the drug business, and died November 
31, 1871, leaving ten children: five boys and five girls. During early life 
the subject of this sketch was engaged as clerk in his father's store, and 
in 1878 he formed a partnership with C. H. Shirclift, who are still engaged 
in the dry goods and grocery business. In October, 1880, he formed a 
partnership with Jacob G. Beck and built a creamery, and are actively 
engaged in butter making, and doing a flourishing business. He was 
married December 24, 1878, to Miss Helena Beck, a native of Philadel- 
phia, Pennsylvania. This union has been blessed with one son, James 
Mott. 

MORRIS FITZGERALD, farmer and stock raiser, residing on sec- 
tion five, Graham township, post-office, Morse; was born 1809, at county 
Kerry, Ireland. Came to Quebec, Canada, in 1835 — May 4th — and lived 
in various places in Canada and the United States, traveled considerable 
in the Western States, and finally settled in Graham township, Johnson 
county, in the fall 1855, and there he has made his home since. He was 
married in 1854 to Miss Mary Martin, of Illinois. This union is blessed 
with five children: three boys and two girls. The family are members of 
the Roman Catholic Church. A democrat in politics. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 821 

MICHAEL FITZSIMMONS, a resident of Iowa City, doing business 
on Gilbert street, near the city mills, where he has recently erected a new 
cooper shop; was born in September, 1826, in Cavan county, Ireland. 
Came to America in 1848 and settled in Iowa City, in 1856; he is a cooper 
by trade, and has worked at that business since his residence in Iowa City. 
He was married in April, 1851, to Miss Catharine Morecroft, of Iowa City. 
This union is blessed with four children : Francis, wife of Martin Free- 
man, of Morse station; Henry A., Frederick and Charles. The family 
are member of the St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church. He is a demo- 
crat in politics. 

OILMAN F. FLETCHER, the present efficient deputy sheriff of 
Johnson county; was born May 6, 1848, in Dorchester, New Hampshire. 
Came to Johnson county, Iowa, in April, 1857. He was married March 
29, 1868, to Miss Martha S. Robinson, daughter of James T. Robinson, 
the present deputy auditor. They have four children: Edna G., Mary 
A., Paul and Susan. He ^is a democrat in politics, a member of the 
Legion of Honor, and of the V. A. S. societies of Iowa Cit}-. He has 
been deputy sheriff under John Coldren for five years, began January, 
1878. And is a prominent candidate for sheriff in 1883. His large 
experience qualifies him for the duties of the office. 

JACOB FLOERCHINGER, retired farmer, post-oflice, Oxford; was 
born in Bavaria, German}^, April 10, 1817, and spent his early life in his 
native country. He came to America in November, 1839, and went to 
Pennsylvania and worked on railroads, canals, and coal mines until the 
spring of 1842, when he returned to Germany and was put in the army 
and served two years and a half, when he bought a substitute, costing 
him 330 goulding. He came back to America in 1845, and lived in 
Wilkesbarre, Pa., and worked at the coal mines until September, 1855, 
he started west and landed in Iowa City, Oct. 4. He bought 160 acres 
of land in Oxford township, of John Cook, and has since been engaged in 
farming, and has by industry and economy added to his estate and now 
owns 360 acres of fine land, besides town property. He was married Feb. 
12, 1846, in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, to Miss Margaret Scherrer, 
a native of Hamburg. They have four children: Frank J., John, 
Helena Agnes and Ann Elizabeth, and one, Mary Ann, deceased. All 
except Mrs. Floerchinger are Catholic in faith, she being a Presbyterian 

GEORGE FLOERCHINGER, proprietor Oxford House. Was born 
in Germany, December, 1834, and came to America, January, 1869, to 
Johnson county, and followed farming until the fall of 1881, when he 
bought the Oxford House, the first building erected in the town, having 
been built by his brother F. A., in 1869. He also owns a farm of eighty 
acres. He was married January 4th, 1860, to Jennie Worf; she died in 
August, 1868. He was again married, December 13th, 1868, to Katie 
51 



822 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Worf, There are four children by the first marriage, and five by the 
second. In 1879, he went back to Germany, but only remained about 
three months, not liking that country as well as this. 

HON. OILMAN FOLSOM. The subject of this sketch, departed this 
life, and his noble soul winged its everlasting flight to the God who gave 
it at three o'clock, July 15th, 1872, at his residence near Iowa City. He 
was born at Dorchester, New Hampshire, April 7th, 1818. He read law 
in the office of the Hon. Josiah Quincy, a noted jurist of New Hampshire, 
and was admitted to practice law at Haverhill, IS-ll, at the early age of 
twenty-three years. He settled in the practice of law in Iowa City in 
1841, and was recognized as a young man of great promise. He was 
married in 1843 to Miss Arthur. His widow and three children, Mary 
A., Arthur and George J., survived him and are still living at the family 
residence, a fine brick mansion on the Iowa river, situated on a bluft'at 
the narrowest place on the river, commanding a beautiful view of Iowa 
City that lies on the opposite side of the river. Mr. Folsom was for two 
•successive terms a member of the House of Representatives of Iowa. On 
the election of Frank Pierce to the Presidency in 1852, Mr. Folsom was 
appointed receiver of the land office in Iowa City; this service termin- 
ated his public career, and thenceforth he devoted himself to looking 
after and caring for his large estate. As a legislator he rose to the full 
height of statesmanship. 

MICHAEL FORD, a farmer residing in Hardin township, post-office 
Windham. Was born in Connaught, Ireland, in 1844; came to America 
and landed at New York, April 18th, 1873, and settled in Iowa City the 
same spring. He was married in 1872 to Miss Mary Drunomy, of county 
SHge. This union was blessed with five children: Bridget, John, Ann, 
Katie and Michael. 

THORNTON FORD, farmer, post-ofiice, Oxford; was born in 
Taylor county, Virginia, October 22, 1830, where he spent his early life, 
and got a common school education. In the fall of 1849 became to John- 
son county, and settled in Big Grove township with his parents, Elisha 
and Nancy Ford. Here he followed farming, and August 26, 1860, was 
married to Miss Jena O'Brien, a native of Monroe county, Indiana, who 
came to this county in 1851. For several years Mr. Ford lived near Iowa 
City, in Newport township. He came to Oxford in 18Y4, and now has a 
nice house and owns CA) acres of land and keeps a dairy. They have 
three children: Alta M., now the wife of I. N. Devault, of Big Grove 
tow^nship; Zelena N., now teaching school, and Thornton P., and one 
deceased, Susan. Mr. Ford is a member of the A. O. U. W., and all the 
family are members of the Methodist Church. 

W.E. C. FOSTER, was born May 15, 1851, in Iowa City; he is the 
senior member of the firm of Foster & Hess, liverv, feed and sale stable. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 823 

on Washington street. He was married September 12, 1ST7, to Miss 
Libbie Miller, of Iowa City; they have two children: Mabel M., and 
Charles C. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., No. 6, of Iowa City; is a 
republican in politics. The firm of Foster & Hess is recognized as the 
headquarters of the driving, feed and sale business of Iowa City. They 
have fine stock, good vehicles; their stalls are filled with the very best 
of driving and saddle horses. They do business in a two story frame 
building 40x150 feet. They have good, trusty "goers;" they own a 
fine bred stock horse, a noble animal, bearing marks of his Scotch 
ancestry, and they call him "Young Clyde," and he is neat and clean 
and appears and acts like a thoroughbred, and weighs 1500 pounds, the 
finest large horse in the count}^ 

WILLIAM L. FOUNTAIN, farmer, post-oflice. Lone Tree; was 
born in Guilford county, North Carolina, and came to Johnson county in 
181:7, and settled in Pleasant Valley township, and has followed farming 
all his life. He now owns 96 acres of land. He was married in 1855 to 
Sarah Fountain, also of North Carolina. They have seven children: 
Alda, Luther, Emma, Hannah E., Henry, Samuel, acd Khoda. 

JOHN FOUNTAIN, farmer, post-office, River Junction; was born in 
North Carolina, June 13, 1841. At the age of six years he came to Iowa 
with his parents, John and Hannah, and settled in Pleasant Valley town- 
ship, where the subject of this sketch has spent his life and followed the 
occupation of a farmer. He now owns 152 acres of land. He was 
married September 21, 1868, to Miss Addie J. Douley. They have six 
children; Marvin J. Walter, Minnie Nellie May, Bertha Elnora, Manley 
Raymond and Abbie. 

ELI FOUNTAIN, grocer and justice of the peace, post-office. River 
Junction; was born in North Carolina, August 17, 1842, and came to 
Johnson county, Iowa, in 1854, and remained three years. He then 
returned to North Carolina, and in May, 1862, he enlisted in company K, 
45th North Carolina Infantry, C. S. A. Was wounded three times; first 
at Gettysburg, and twice at Spottsylvania, quite severely, being shot in 
the shoulder. He served until July, '64. He then came back to this 
county, where he has since resided and followed farming most of the 
time. In October, 1881, he started in the grocery business at River Junc- 
tion, and is now serving as justice of the peace. He was married, in 1872, 
to Miss Elizabeth Trout, a native of this county. They have four child- 
ren: Harry L., Lawrence, Mary and an infant. 

EDWARD G. FRACKER, secretary and manager of the New 
Method Heater Company of Iowa City; was born May 5, 1838, in 
Zanesville, Ohio. He was married, September 4, 1866, to Miss Mollie 
Cutler, of Iowa City; she died in April, 1871. Of this marriage there is 
one child living, George A. He married again, August 19, 1874, Miss Cora 



824 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

V. Robbins, of Iowa City. They have one child, Howard R. He was 
a faithful soldier in the late civil war; he enlisted July 18, 1861, as musi- 
cian; promoted to first sergeant July 18, 1862, and promoted to second 
lieutenant September -1, 1862, and was adjutant of the regiment. He 
resigned in 186-1, on account of disability. He is a republican in politics; 
was a member of the city council in 1880, and city assessor in 1882. He 
is a member of the A. O. U. W., L. of H. and V. A. S. societies of Iowa 
City. 

GEORGE FRACKER, was born in 1795, in Boston, Massachusetts, 
died in Iowa City, October 12, 1880. He was reared in the atmosphere of 
industry, frugality, and intelligence that characterized so man}'- of the 
New England homes of nearly a hundred years ago. His father was a 
boat builder living at the "North End." The father's occupation brought 
the sons in contact with a sea-faring life, and George naturally determined 
to try the sea, at least long enough to enable him to see something of the 
world. When about twenty-one years old he sailed on board a vessel 
bound for a South American port. At Buenos Ayres, the vessel having 
changed her destination, he obtained his release, and shipped as second 
officer on the English ship Jane, bound for the Brazils. This vessel was 
wrecked a few weeks later at the mouth of the Rio de la Plata, and all 
on board except Mr. Fracker perished. He, with a broken leg and many 
severe bruises and cuts, escaped to a desert shore to suffer for several days 
pains worse than death. His published account of his experiences and 
sufferings is one of absorbing interest. He recieved the kindest treatment 
from a Creole family, who discovered him wounded, naked, and helpless 
amid the debris of the wreck, ministered to him, protected him from the 
savages, and enabled him to communicate with Monteveido, whence 
assistance was sent. The very night after he left the ranche of his faith- 
ful friends, the Guachos, who are merciless savages of that section, 
attacked it, robbed him of everything, and killed the son who had first 
found him in his distress. After reaching Monteveido he was most 
kindly cared for by humane people of all nationalities. He reached Bos- 
ton again in 1818, where he was soon offered a position as teacher in the 
public schools, which he accepted and held for eleven years. Soon after 
beginning teaching he was married, but his wife lived but a few years. 
By this marriage three children were born, one of them dying in infancy, 
and one of them in New Orleans at the age of twenty-two; another, Dud- 
ley S. Fracker, died in Ohio nine years ago. In 1828 he w^as married at 
Roxbury, Massachusetts, to Fanny L. Richardson, whom for years all 
our citizens have known. By this marriage there were eleven children, 
nine of whom still live. Mr. Fracker removed from Boston to Zanesville, 
Ohio, where he continued for a time to teach, and afterwards engaged in 
banking. He lived in Zanesville for nineteen years, and then removed to 
Washington in the same State, where he continued in a bank. In 1856 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 825 

he moved to Iowa City, where, in active life or in the decrepitude of 
advancing age, he continued to live until his death. 

JOSEPH FRAZEE, minister of the Gospel; was born in Herkimer 
county, New York, Jan. 10, 1816; is the son of William and Hannah 
Frazee. Was raised on a farm and educated in the common schools. In 
1836 he was married to Miss Catharine Coleman of Chenango county. 
New York. To this union were born eight children, five living: Susan 
v., Joseph M., Louisa, Almond and Clarissa; this wife died in 1849, and 
he was again married in 1853, to Rosanna Campbell of this county. To 
this union was born five children, four living: Elroy, Frank, Bertha and 
Ward. His second wife died in May, 1862, and he was again married to 
Mrs. Sarah J. Largent on the 20th day of October, 1863. She was 
formerly from Ohio. In 1845, Mr. Frazee came to Iowa, and has lived in 
this county every since. Has followed farming and preaching, he being 
a local preacher of the U. B. Church for a number of years. Has also 
been engaged in the manufacture and sale of what is well and favorably 
known as the Frazee medicine. His health having failed, he is now 
unable to do any work, and lives in Shueyville. 

REV. GEORGE R FULSOM, the resident minister of the Presby- 
terian Church of Iowa City; was born Dec. 16, 1826, in BuiTalo, New 
York. He graduated from Williams College, Massachusetts, in 1847, 
and received the degree of D. D. from the college in 3880. He graduated 
from the Theological Seminary at Auburn, New York, in 1852. His first 
charge was Attica, New York. He was married October 28, 1852, to 
Miss Lillie G. Eraser. By this union there is one son, a physician 
practicing medicine at Minneapolis, Minnesota. He took charge of the 
church in Iowa City in 1880. His church membership is 263; Sabbath 
school attendance, 200. The officers of his church are : Elders, D. F. Stone, 
S. Sharpless, Prof. T. PI. McBride, Prof. N. R. Leonard, J. M. Smith, 
Virgil Hartsock, J. W. Lee and A. O. Price. Trustees are: L. H.Jack- 
son, N. R. Leonard, S. I. Sanders, E. Shapard, W. H. Shipman. The 
services of this church are; preaching, 10:30 a. m. and 7:00 p. m. J. W. 
Lee, Sundayschool superintendent. The Rev. F. enjoys the confidence of 
his congregation. 

T. M. GARVIN, a farmer, residing in section 36, Graham township, 
post-office. Oasis; was born in 1809, in Virginia, came to Johnson county, 
Iowa, in the spring of 1857. He lived in Ohio from 1831 to 1857. He 
was married in 1834 to Miss Elizabeth McCutchen, in Ohio. She died in 
1878. They have four children living; his daughter Sarah graduated at 
the Iowa City Commercial College. He was elected justice of the peace 
in 1860, and served in that capacity for twenty years, 

WILLIAM GAUNT, was born June 4, 1823, in Yorkshire, England, 
came to America in 1848, and settled finally in Iowa City in 1854, where 



826 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

he lived twelve years, and then moved on a farm in Pleasant Valley- 
township, where he has resided ever since. He was married in 1849, to 
Miss Anna Keckner, of Center county, Pennsylvania. They have three 
children: Samuel, Mary and Clara. A republican in politics, but growing 
more independent in his political views, and favors voting for the best 
men and measures. He was a freighter on the plains four years, from 
Ft. Dodge to Council Bluffs. Mr. Gaunt has a fine farm of 120 acres and 
one of 180 in sections 26 and 80, in Pleasant Valley township, under good 
cultivation, plenty of fruit of all kinds. He was unfortunate in 1867, he 
lost his right eye by an accident occassioned by cutting a limb from an 
apple tree in his orchard, the limb striking him in the right eye, from the 
effects of which he lost the sight of that eye. He was a faithful soldier, 
serving in Company I, 22d Regiment Iowa Vol. Infantry, until he was 
discharged for disability, 

JAMES GEARY, farmer, Newport township, post-office, Iowa City; 
was born October 16, 1831, in Dearborn county, Indiana. Came to Iowa 
and settled in Johnson county in 1851. He was married, October 2, 1849, 
to Miss Nancy J. Chessman, of Dearborn county, Indiana. They have 
ten children, all living: Laura B., wife of James T. Woodling, Mary E., 
wife of George W. Hughes, Sarah T., Emma J., Elma Iowa, William R., 
Larkin H., Mattie T., Evaline, and Joseph H. They are members of the 
Christian Church. He is a democrat in politics; has filled several town- 
ship offices. He is one of the successful farmers of Newport township, 
and makes a specialty of raising fine horses. 

R. J. GEDDES, a resident of Penn township, post-office, North Liberty. 
Was born December 18, 1853, in Ashland county, Ohio, and came to 
Johnson county in the fall of 1855; went back in 1857, and finally settled in 
Penn township in 1868. He acquired his education in Iowa City, having 
completed a full course at the Iowa City Commercial College. Mr. 
Geddes is a republican in poHtics, and is the clerk of Penn township. He 
has been engaged in teaching shook He is a member of the Evangelical 
Lutheran Church in Penn township. 

JACOB A. GEORGE, farmer and surveyor, post-office, North Lib - 
erty; was born Oct. 2, 1848, in Johnson county. Was raised on a farm 
and educated in the common schools. His father, Martin George, died 
June 17, 1872. After which Jacob rented the farm for a number of years 
when he purchased it, and where he how resides. Dec. 25, 1877, he was 
married to Miss Martha Zeller, daughter of N. Zeller, Sen. To them 
have been born two children: Cadence O. and Martha E. Mr. George 
and J. F. Price bought the steam saw mill of L. E. Chamberlin, (now 
known as the George & Andrle mill), moved it to North Liberty, where 
they run with the engine a saw mill, a cane mill and feed grinder. Mr. 
George owns 194 acres of well improved land, part of which he rents, the 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 827 

remainder he farms himself; he is a democrat in politics, is not a member 
of any church, though his wife is a member of the Church of God. 

MARTIN GEORGE, deceased; was born in Cumberland county, 
Pennsylvania, on the 1st day of January, 1811, and was raised and edu- 
cated, and married there to Miss Nancy V. Bowman. They had eight 
children, four of them now dead, and four living: Jacob A., Nancy V., 
Martha E., and Emma M. In 1846 he came to Iowa, and first settled in 
Iowa City; afterwards purchased land in Penn township, section twenty. 
Went back, to his native State, after six months he returned to Iowa, sold 
his land in section twenty to Samuel Miller, and purchased land in East 
Lucas, also the stone mill in Iowa City, which he operated for a time. 
He then sold out there, and purchased property in North Liberty, where 
he kept store. He then sold out there and purchased a farm in section 
seven, where he resided and followed farming to within a short time of 
his death which occurred June 17, 1872. Mr. George learned the trade 
of blacksmithing when a young man. His wife survived him until March 
26, 1882, when she was laid by his side to wait the resurrection of the 
Just. The}^ were both consistent members of the Lutheran church. 

B. GETSBERG, a resident of Iowa City, one of the firm of Sheets, 
Getsberg & Co!, contractors; was born July 27, 1827, in Germany. Came 
to Johnson county in the fall of 185-1:. He was married in 1853, to Miss 
Henrietta Bloom. They have six children: Annie, Mary, John B., 
Emma E., Lucy C, and Hattie. The family are members of the German 
Methodist Church of Iowa City. He is a republican in politics. 

OMER T. GILLETTE, assistant to the chair of surgery and secre- 
tary of the medical faculty, a resident of Iowa City ; was born June 28, 1 845, 
at Terre Haute, Indiana. He was a soldier in the late civil war, serving 
in company D, 132d Regiment Indiana Volunter Infantry. He graduated 
from the State Universit}- of Indiana, in 1866; he received the honor of his 
class; he attended lectures at the Medical College at Ann Arbor, Michigan, 
in the winter of 1867 and ^6S, and graduated from the College of Physicians 
and Surgeons ot New York city, March 1, 1869; he practiced his profession 
three years in Chicago, six years in La Salle, IlHnois, and then settled in 
Iowa City in 1878, and was elected to his present position in the State Uni- 
versity, in 1879, as secretary of the medical faculty. He was married 
September 26, 1871, to Miss Mary A. Brokenshire, of Boston, Massachu- 
sett. A republican in politics. He is a members of the M. E. Church, 
Beta Theta Pi, A. O. U. W. of Iowa City, and L. of H. 

JULES E. GUILLETON, a resident of Iowa City, and the owner and 
proprietor of the barber shop and bath rooms, under the Iowa Citv National 
Bank in the Opera House; was born December 24, 1852, in Marseilles, 
France; came to America in 1874, landed in New York. He was married 
January 21, 1880, to Miss Jennie E. Smith, of Warren, Lee county, Iowa. 



828 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

He came to Iowa City, November 2, 1880, and his shop is the only one 
keeping hot and cold water baths in Iowa City. A republican in politics. 

T. G. GLOVER, a resident of Iowa City, and superintendent of the 
pork packing house; was born March 10, 1842, in Providence, Rhode 
Island. He came to Johnson county, Iowa, in 1881, and engaged in the 
pork pack business, and has been engaged in that business since he was 
thirteen years of age. He was four years in the Union army, three mondis 
in the Sprague battery, and he was three years in company C, Second Rhode 
Island cavalry, and then transferred to the Third Rhode Island cavalry; 
he was first lieutenant and was officer of the day about the closing of 
the war, and had a few men with him, and met some rebel cavalry and 
had a fight, and was thrown from his horse and had two ribs broken. He 
was married August 5, 1862, to Miss Emma A. Livingston, of the old 
Livingston family in New York State. They have one child: John S. 
Mr. G. is a republican in politics. 

WENDEL GOETZ, farmer, post-office, Ely, Linn county; was born 
on the river Rhine, Germany, December 16, 1820; when about eighteen 
years of age, emigrated to America and landed in New Orleans; then 
went to Florida where he lived three years. He then came to Illinois, after 
remaining there six months, came to Iowa and settled in Johnson county 
in 1839, and took up 300 acres of land, and now owns 300 acres of well 
improved land and fine brick residence. He was married September 27, 
181:2, to Catharine Enzinzer, also a native of Germany; she dying Febru- 
ar}^ 27, 1864, leaving seven children, viz. : Mary, Joseph, Daniel, Emma, 
Matilda, Wendel and John, and eight deceased. He was again married 
June 12, 1868, to Mary Donahue, who is still living. 

MAJOR WILLIAM H. GOODRELL, the present assistant post- 
master of Iowa City; was born July 19, 1841, in Guernsey county, Ohio. 
He came to Iowa City, November 1, 1856. He enHsted as private in com- 
pany B, 15th Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry, January 31,fl862; he 
was promoted to lieutenant and served on the staft^ of Major-General W. 
W. Belknap, with the rank of major; he bears the honor of having taken 
the first rebel flag of South Carolina that ever floated as such in that State. 
February 17, 1865, Major G. with Lieutenat McArthur of the 15th Iowa 
infantry, both serving on General Belknap's staft, with a detachment of 
the 13th Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry, 4th division, 17th army corps, 
under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Kennedy, crossed the river 
and entered Columbia, South Carolina, while a portion of the enemy were 
in the city marching through, and planted in advance of all others the 
regimental colors of the 13th Iowa, on both the old and new capitol build- 
ings, and at the same time and from the old capitol building Major Good- 
rell captured the flag mentioned, and the same was sent to the State His- 
torical Society of Iowa, and now on exhibition in the State Historical 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 829 

rooms on Washington streets, Iowa City, with a certificate that it is the 
first secession flag of South CaroHna that floated over Fort Sumter. He 
was wounded at the battle of Wilson Creek, August 10, 1861. Major G. 
is a republican in politics, and was chairman of the Johnson County 
Republican Central Committee in 1862. He was married July 5, 1865, to 
Miss Addie S. Way, ol Iowa City. They have six children : Harry B ., Lou., 
Clara W., Mary, George B., Adelaide. He was postal clerk on the C, 
R. I. & P. R. R. for five years, and member of the capitol police force for 
two years, 1878 to '80. 

HUGH McGOVERN, the present efficient county treasurer; was born 
in Ireland, May 8, 1824. He came to America in 1819, and settled in Iowa 
City in 1856. He was married in August, 1855, to Miss Julia Deheney. 
They have four children: James, Hugh, Mary, and Margaret. He is a 
member of the St. Patrick Catholic Church of Iowa City. He is a demo- 
crat in politics, and was elected treasurer of Johnson county in 1881. 

JAMES H. GOWER, was born October 22, 1806, in Abbott, Maine, 
died November 12, 1879, He came to Iowa and settled at Gower's Ferry 
on the Cedar river, November 5, 1840, and came to Iowa City in 1845. 
He was married in 1831 to Miss Borredell Greenwood, of Hebron, 
Maine. He represented Cedar county in the first constitutional conven- 
tion of Iowa. He was a successful business man. 

JACOB GRABER, a broom maker of Iowa City, a native of Germany. 
Was born January 8, 1811; came to America in 1844 and settled in 
Iowa Cit}?- in 1845. First five years he farmed, and then sold his claim 
to Jacob Rizer for $30.00 and moved to the city, and began gardening 
and basket making; and by patient toil, economy and industry, he has 
amassed a neat little fortune. He was married in Germany in 1837, to 
Miss Katie Dozer; she died in Februar}^ 1864. By this marriage they 
had nine children: Lizzie, Nicholas,',Katie, George, Andrew, John, Mary, 
Rosa and Peter. His second marriage was August 4, 1871, to Miss 
Barbara Emamon. He is a democrat in politics, and voted against the 
prohibitory constitutional amendment. He is a member of the St. Marys 
Roman Catholic Church. 

COL. HARVEY GRAHAM, a resident of Iowa City; was born 
February 18, 1828, in Elizabethtown, Alleghany county, Pennsylvania; 
came to Iowa City in 1856. He was married January 31, 1850, to Miss 
Caroline Funkhouser; they have eight children: Clara, wife of William 
F. Freeman, Henry P.,'Louis, Mollie E., Eva M., Harvey, Alfred L., and 
Katie. He is a member of the Masonic bodies of Iowa City. A republi- 
can in politics; he was U. S. storekeeper at the Iowa City alcohol works 
three years. He was a faithful soldier m the late civil war; was taken 
prisoner at Vicksburg, Miss., May 22, 1863, and was paroled and had 
command of the paroled prisoners at Young's Point, from May 25, 1863, 



830 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

to November, 1863. He entered the service early in the war, was first 
lieutenant company B, first regiment Iowa volunteer infantry; was 
wounded at the battle of Wilson Creek, August 10, 1861, in the left arm 
near the elbow. He was commissioned major of the Twenty-second regi- 
ment Iowa volunteer infantry, August 2, 1862, and promoted to lieutenent 
colonel, September 17, 1862, and to colonel, upon the resignation of 
Colonel Stone, May 6, 1864, and July 15, 1865, he was made brevet brig- 
adier general by act of congress. 

J. K. GRAHAM, a farmer, residing in Scott township, post-office 
Iowa City. Was born in Johnson county, March 16, 1859. He was 
married December 22, 1874, to Miss Hattie Wescott, daughter of Moses 
A. Wescott. This union was blessed with three children, Edith, Benja- 
min and Effie. He is a republican in politics. His father was one of the 
old settlers of Scott township; he died in 1882. 

ALEXANDER H. GRAHAM, larmer and stock raiser, Graham 
township, section 25, post-office Oasis. Born in Muskinghum county, Ohio, 
in 1384; came to Iowa with his father, Andrew Graham (now deceased), 
in 1850, and settled in Graham township. Purchased of the Government 
900 acres of land for $1.25 per acre. Was the first to settle in the prairie, 
there being a few settlers at that time in the timber along the creeks. 
There was only two settlements in the township at that time. Mr. Gra- 
ham was married in 1854 to Miss Mary Dyarnett of Zanesville, Ohio, 
and has four children living: Hattie, who attended Mt. Vernon College 
for four years, was married soon after she finished her college course, and 
is now living with her husband, Mr. E. C. Shankland,in Lexington county, 
Missouri; oldest son, Andrew, who also attended Mt. Vernon College, 
now living at home with his parents; Miss Cora I., ^^oungest daughter, 
graduated at Iowa City Academy, June, 1881, now attending State 
University at Iowa City; Eddie, youngest son, living with his parents. 
Mr. Graham owns 400 acres of the original 900 acres; has it well 
improved, and has a fine lot of stock. 

CHRISTOPHER GREBIN, a farmer, residing in Madison township, 
post-office. Chase; was born May 15, 1833, in Hanover, German}-; came 
to America in October, 1857, landed in New York city and came direct 
to Iowa City and began farming. He has a fine farm of 155 acres and 
45 acres of good timber. He was married in November, 1864, to Mrs. 
Susan Lemon, of Madison township. They have two little girls, Maude and 
Flora. His wife is a member of the United Brethren Church at the 
Cross Roads, in Madison township. He was a member of the Presby- 
terian Church in Hanover, Germrny, but has never united with a church 
since he came to America. He is a democrat in politics. He served in 
the German army in the fifth regiment, second company, in 1854; he was 
drafted when he was in his twenty-first year. He served two years in 
that regiment and hired a substitute. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 831 

BENJAMIN GRAHAM, was born March 4, 1816, in County Tyrone, 
Ireland, and died April 18, 1882. He came to Johnson county in 18 — . 
He was married Nov. 14, 1844, to Miss Jane Love, of Coshocton county, 
Ohio. They had six children, two sons and four daughters: Robert 
B., Caroline S., wife of Abner Bradley; James K., Elizabeth, wife of 
Edward Long; Jennie, wife of Forman Hill; and Mollie, wife of Frank 
Long, of Iowa City. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and 
a republican in politics. 

THOMAS GRAHAM, a farmer, notary public and justice of the 
peace, resides in Jefierson township; was born Aug. 13, 1817, in Wash- 
ington county, Maryland. Came to Johnson county in October, 1855, 
and settled in Jefferson township. He was married Oct. 10, 1844, to Miss 
Mary Troup, of Washington county, Maryland. They have seven chil- 
dren: James W., Mary 1., wife of Chas. B. Kennedy of Cedar Rapids; 
Sarah E., wife of Thos. H. Smith of Albia, Iowa; Virginia, wife of Alvin 
W. Scott of Webster county, Iowa; EUzabeth F., wife of Martin Custer, 
of Republic county, Kansas; Charles C. and George. He was a member 
of the Board of Supervisors in 1861, resigned that office and went into the 
army as a private in company F, Fourteenth Iowa Infantry; was taken 
prisoner at Shiloh; was paroled, and was sent to Huntsville, Alabama, and 
from there to St. Louis ; was discharged for disability. Mr. G. is a republican 
in politics, was justice of the peace for fourteen years from 1864; secretary of 
the school board for fourteen years, which position he holds at present. 
He is the only notary public in Jefferson township. He has filled the office 
of township trustee several terms. 

J. WARD GRAHAM, a farmer, residing in Jefferson township, post- 
office ShueyviUe; was born October 3, 1845, in Washington county, 
Maryland. He came to Johnson county in October, 1855, with his fath- 
er's family. He was a soldier in the federal army, and served m the ninth 
cavalry, company B, in the seventh army corps, west of the Mississippi, 
and was in the battles of Clarinden and Arkansas Post. He was married 
March 2, 1871, to Miss Sarah E. Hall, of Jefferson township. They have 
five children: Laura R., Blanche V., Edith R., Jessie I., and Lillie G. He 
is a republican in politics, and is the present township clerk; has been 
trustee and assessor of Jefferson township. He was nominated in Octo- 
ber, 1882, for recorder on the repubhcan ticket. 

VINCENT GRESSEL, a farmer and hotel keeper, residing in Iowa 
City; was born November 11, 1830, in Austria; settled in Johnson county, 
September 10, 1860. He was married January 2, 1850, to Miss Annie 
Kacerovsky, of Austria. They have eight children: John, Rudolph, 
Charlie, Joseph, Annie, Mary, Vincent, and George. Mr. Gressel is inde- 
pendent in politics; voted against the prohibitory amendment. He lives 
in block 14, on Dodge street; he keeps the Farmers' Home, and has a 
farm in the country. 



832 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

CONRAD GRAF, a resident of Iowa City, and proprietor of the 
Union brewery on the corner of Linn and Market streets. This brewery 
was built by his father-in-law, S. Hotz, in 1868; main building 160 feet 
long by 50 feet wide, and a three story brick building with a celler under 
the entire building, with a brewing capacity of 50 barrels a day; property 
worth $50,000. Building heated by steam. He employs on an average 
ten men. Mr. Graf was born Oct. 9, 1849, in Bavaria, came to America 
in 1S67, landed in New York City, came to Iowa City in 1874; being a 
brewer by trade began work at his trade. June 7, 1875, was married 
to Annie Hotz, a daughter of S. Hotz. They have three children: Simeon, 
Otto and Willie. The family are members of the St. Mary's Catholic 
Church of Iowa City. A democrat in politics. The brewer's business is 
in better shape since the amendment has been declared unconstitutional, 
and Mr. G. says his business is increasing. 

GEORGE W. GREEN, farmer and proprietor of the Washington 
House in Iowa City; was born in Jefferson county. New York, October 
27, 1833; settled in Iowa City, June 3, 1852: in 1853 he entered 200 acres 
of land in Iowa county, and is still the owner of the same and enough 
more to make 3-10 acres. He was married in Iowa county January 24, 
1855, to Miss Amanda V. Roup. They have five children: Ellen M., 
wife of Mr. McKay ; Emma V., now Mrs. Rhul ; James H., George F., and 
Esta M. Mr. Green was a soldier in the late war, in company K, Twenty- 
second Iowa infantry; enlisted August 14, 1862. 

HUMPHRY GRIFFITH, a farmer in Union township, post-office, 
Iowa City; was born April 31, 1815, in Wales. He was married in 
Wales, in 1843, to Miss Susan Jones. They have been blessed by the 
following children: Grace, born 1845, Joe H., born 1847, Willie, born 1849, 
Richard, born 1851; twins were born February, 1857, both girls, named 
Maggie and Annie; Jane, born 1861. They came to America in 1851, 
landed in New York and went from there to Vermont, lived there seven 
3^ears, then to Wisconsin, lived there five years, then came to Iowa City 
and have lived in Johnson county ever since. 

ABRAHAM GOSS, deceased, was born in Clearfield county, Penn- 
sylvania, on the 13th day of January, 1824; was the son of G. W. Goss; 
was raised on a farm, and educated in the common schools. June 20, lb50> 
he was married to Miss Elizabeth Crowell, of the same county and state 
he was from, daughter of Daniel Crowell. They have had five children, 
four of whom are living: Moses, born September 14, 1854; Carrie, born 
July 12, 1856; Elizabeth, born February 8, 18.58; Aaron, born May 20, 
1860. In 1857 he came with his family to Iowa, and first settled in section 16, 
where Mrs. Goss now resides with her two sons, Moses and Aaron, who 
are managing the farm. Mr. Goss was an industrious and prosperous 
man, dealt largely in cattle and hogs, and would feed from fifty to seventy- 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 883 

five cattle a year, and often two hundred hogs. He died November 3, 
1880, and was buried in the Potter cemetery, west of Shueyville. He 
was a member of A. F. and A. M. Moses, the eldest of his sons, followed 
railroading for some time, but since his father's death has been farming. 
They now own 200 acres of splendid land, with improvements second to 
none. Moses holds the office of school director in district No. 2. 

ROBERT GRIMES, the subject of this sketch was born March 12, 
1816, and his wife, Mary P. Butler, was born Aug. 31, 1817, in Knox 
county, Ohio. She was the daughter of Benjamin Butler, an early settler 
in Mt. Vernon, and a prominent citizen in political affairs in the demo- 
cratic party in Knox county. He visited his relatives in Iowa, and made 
arrangements to settle in Johnson county, but the death of his daughter, 
Mrs. Grimes, caused him to change his mind and he returned to his old 
home in Knox county, Ohio, where he died in 1872. He was born April 
18, 1779, of Irish parents. He was full ©f schemes and practical ideas 
as the early history of Knox county, Ohio, is full of his management of pub- 
lic affairs. He was a man of no ordinary ability. His grand-daughter 
Hattie, married Capt. Phillip E. Shaver, and the only son living by this 
union is Lincolin, residing in Washington township. 

VINCENT GROSS, a farmer in Liberty township, post-office, Bon 
Accord; was born January 8, 1822, twelve miles from Belford, France. 
His father fought twelve years under Napoleon. He came to America 
in 1840, and settled in Ohio, and learned his trade with Henry Cook of 
Harrisburg, Stark county, and moved to Iowa City, Iowa, in 1842, and 
helped make the first plows made in that city. He laid out the village of 
South Liberty, called Bon Accord post-office. He was married March 4, 
1846, to Miss Phcebe Marks of Liberty township. They have eight 
children, five boys and three girls: Mary C, wife of Jacob Hirt of Sharon 
township; Sarah E., wife of August Weide of Butler county, Nebraska; 
John W., is married and lives in Davis City, Butler county, Nebraska; 
Frank S., lives in Susanville, Honey Valley, California; Charles A., 
Frances C, Eva E., and Ida L. are at their home in South Liberty, on a 
fine farm of 240 acres, with one of the finest springs in the county. His 
family are members of the Catholic Church. He is a democrat in poli- 
tics, and has held several township offices, trustee, member of the school 
board, president of the same, etc. He is one of Liberty township's well- 
to-do and influential farmers; he has a fine orchard of 140 trees and all 
kinds of small fruits in abundance; he has good, substantial farm build- 
ings. 

GREGORY GROSS, a farmer, residing in Liberty township, post- 
office, Bon Accord; was born February 7, 1819, within twelve miles of 
Belford, France; came to America in 1837, settled in Stark county, Ohio, 
and in October, 1844, came to Johnson county, Iowa, purchased 



834 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

from Mr. Fowler the claim of 160 acres of land upon which he has 
resided ever since. Mr. Gross was married March, 1841, to Miss 
Elizabeth Shcunblin, of Stark county, Ohio; they had two child- 
ren: Gregory and Vincent. His wife died in Iowa, March, 1846, 
and in February, 3 852, he married Miss Katharine Rummelhart, of 
Liberty township; they have by this marriage two gii"ls, Matilda, wife 
of Dr. Isaac W. Wright, who practices his profession in Liberty township, 
a graduate of the medical college of Iowa City, of the class of March, '82; 
and Levina, wife of N. Gross, of Chippeway Falls, Wisconsin. He is a 
member of the Catholic church of Liberty township. He was the first 
justice of the peace of Liberty township and has held that office continu- 
ously ever since. The people of Liberty township are peaceable and law- 
abiding, and Mr. Gross has always advised compromises and settlements 
among his neighbors when difficulties have arisen among them. His 
advice is most always respected and acted upon. 

PROF. ALFRED A. GUTHRIE, A. M.,B. D., the superintendent of 
the public schools in Iowa City, and secretary of the school board ; was born 
at Troy, Davis county, Iowa, Sept. 20, 1850. He attended school at 
Grinnell in 1869-70. The years 1871-72 he taught school in Missouri; in 
1873 he came to Iowa City and attended the State University of Iowa, 
and graduated from the classical course in June, 1875. In June, 1877, he 
received the degree of B. D., and in June, 1881, the degree of A. M. 
After he graduated in 1875, he was elected by the Iowa City board of 
education, superintendent of the city schools, which position he has filled 
with great credit to himself ever since. He was married Dec. 25, 1877, 
to Miss Ella Osmond, and after tour months' suffering, on March 2, 1879, 
she passed from this life to her reward in the other world, on whose shore 
the weary and suffering kiss with joy the spirit that gives them rest eternal. 
Prof. Guthrie has placed the public schools in Iowa City on a solid basis 
by completely rearranging them; he has brought excellent order out of 
confusion. The school board have most certainly shown their good judg- 
ment by retaining him in this position so long. The books kept in his 
office are a perfect model of convenience and public utility, and just what 
should be required by law to be kept in every high school in the cities. 
The school system of America needs a few practical changes to be more 
efficient, and such men as the professor will aid materially in making these 
changes. 

HON. WILLI AM J. HADDOCK, a resident of Iowa City, and engaged 
in the practice of law, was born February 28, 1835, near Belfast, county 
Antrim, Ireland; came to America in 1849; landed at Philadelphia, Penn- 
sylvania. He was married August 2, 1865, to Miss Emma Humphrey, 
of Tipton, Iowa, a graduate of the State University. She was the first 
woman admitted to practice law by the U. S. Court. Mr. Haddock was 
admitted to the bar in 1862, and entered the law office of Hon. Rush 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 835 

Clark as a partner February 8, 1867, and remained such until his death. 
He graduated from the normal department of the State University in June, 
1862. He was appointed September '23, 1872, judge of the eighth judi- 
cial circuit court of Iowa, and served the unexpired term. He was 
appointed secretary of the board of regents of the State University June 
28, 1864, and has served in that capacity continuously since. He was 
appointed by the secretary of the interior of the United States on a com- 
mittee to investigate charges of fraud against the Indian agent of the 
Pawnee tribe. A repubhcan in politics, and is an active and earnest worker 
in all matters pertaining to his part3^ 

CAPTAIN GEORGE R. HALL, a farmer residing in Sharon town- 
ship, post-office, Iowa City; was born January 7, 1840, in Washington 
county, New York. He was a soldier in company E, one hundred and 
twenty-third New York regiment; went in as a first lieutenant and came 
out a captain; he is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Iowa City. 
He was married November 25, 1868, to Miss Mary R. Guffin of Sharon 
township. They have four children: Modena J., Ernest H., Clarence W., 
and Ruth E. Is a republican in politics, and the present township clerk; 
has been assessor, and he took the federal census of Sharon township in 
1880; he is also president of the Butter and Cheese Association. He is 
one of Sharon township's successful business men. 

THOMAS R. HALL (deceased), was born on the 15th day of Decem- 
ber, 1819, in Albermarle county, Virginia; was the son of Richie and Sarah 
Hall; was raised on a farm; learned the carpenter trade. August 10, 
1843, he was married to Miss Nancy M. Martin of Augusta county, Vir- 
ginia. They have six children: John W., Elizabeth E., wife of J. W. 
Graham; Robert C, Eliza C, Cinderella C, and Cora A. In January, 
1855, he came to Iowa, and settled in Johnson county; first in Shueyville, 
where he followed his trade. He purchased 240 acres of land in section 
9, and moved there, where he farmed and worked at his trade up to the 
time of his death, which occurred Novembrr 22, 1871. He was a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Church, and held the office of justice of the peace 
and trustee of his township. He was a good citizen, a faithful husband, 
and a kind father. 

JONATHAN HAM, a resident of Scott township, post-office, Iowa 
City, and by occupation a farmer; was born in Miffiin county, Pennsyl- 
vania, in 1830; settled in Johnson county in the fall of 1855; and bought 
his present farm in 1864. He was united in marriage in 1852, to Miss 
Annie Coftman, a native of the same county and place of Mr. Ham. They 
had twelve children, eight are living: Emerson E., Sallie C, Lucy A., 
Lillie M., Carrie, Jennie, Jessie J., and John; and those dead are Jared, 
Ella, and two infants. The family of Mr. Ham are members of the Luth- 
eran Church. When he came to this county he was without means; his 



836 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

only capital was his labor, and by economy and industry has secured a 
a splendid home. 

EMERSON M. HAM, post-ofRce, Iowa City; was born in Pennsyl- 
vania, May 13, 1855. At the age of six months his parents moved to this 
county. Here he has spent his youth and early manhood, receiving a com- 
mon school education. He was married here December 21, 1877, to Eveline 
Oathout, a native of New York. They have two boys: Roy E., Walter 
G. He was the owner of eighty acres of well improved land in section 
31, Scott township; he was a member of the Lutheran Church in this 
city. 

HEZEKIAH HAMILTON, farmer and stock-raiser, post-office. Tif- 
fin; was born in Butler county, Ohio, March 26, 1829, and at the age 
of nine came to Iowa with his parents, and settled in what is now Johnson 
county; they first lived three miles below where Iowa City now is on the 
west side of the river, one-half mile west of the old Indian fort built by an 
Indian trader, named Gilbert. His father's name was Yale Hamilton, and 
when they came here there were only about twelve or thirteen families in 
what is now Johnson county. After a few years they moved to Iowa City, 
where Hezekiah attended school, and in 1848 came to where he now lives, 
in section 25, Oxford township, and where he owns 397 acres of fine land, 
also 243 acres in Shelby county, and has one of the finest home residences 
in the county. He was married September, 1849, to Mary E. Douglass, 
a daughter of Ebenezer Douglass, who came here from Richland county, 
Ohio, April 10, 1839. They have five children, viz.: Josephine, now 
Mrs. Dr. Wilcox; Nettie, now Mrs. Burge, in Shelby county; George, 
married and living at home; Ebenezer, at home, and Ella, now Mrs. Rev. 
Swartz, in Cedar Rapids. Mr. Hamilton and family are members of the 
Christian Church, at Tiffin. 

MRS. MARY A. HAMILTON, a resident of Clear Creek township, 
post-oflice, Tiffin; was born June 20, 1838, in Worthington, Eranklin 
county, Ohio; came to Muscatine, (then Bloomington) Iowa, in 1840. She 
had but few school privileges, yet under her mother's instruction was able 
to teach at twelve years of age in pa3'ment for tuition in higher branches 
than she could persue at home. At fifteen years of age she passed her 
first examination b}^ a school board, and for five years taught continuously, 
with no vacation. In 1860 she entered the Normal school at Iowa City; 
attended school in Iowa City two years. She was married March 2, 1862, 
to J. C. Hamilton, of Clear creek, and has resided on the farm near Tiffin 
ever since. This union is blessed with the following named children: 
Lyman P. (dead), Arthur C, Frank A., Walter C, Irving L., Helen A. 
(dead), Alice E. and Bessie Belle; her husband had by his first wife two 
children: Charlie W., and Emma. At the age of fifteen she began writ- 
ing for the press, usually poetry, though a series of character sketches 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 83T 

attracted much attention, which proved that prose was her field. She 
wrote under the signature of "Kitty Carroll" for numerous leading papers 
in ?Iowa — among them the Muscatine 'Journal., Duhuque Herald., Bur- 
lington Hawkeye, Keokuk Post, and Tipton Advertiser. About ten years 
ago at the request of Capt. S. D. Pryce, then editor of the RefuhUcan., 
she commenced a series of local letters from Tiffin which is said to 
be the genesis of "country correspondence" in the State, which she has 
kept up more or less irregularlly since in the Republican., lozua City 
'Journal., Investigator., Oxford Journal and State Press, which latter 
have controlled her exclusive labors in that respect for a 3^ear and a half, 
paying a liberal rate for the same. 

EZRA HAMILTON, farmer, residing in Sharon township, on section 
19; was born March 28, 18-iO, in Morgan county, Ohio; came to Iowa 
with his parents, and settled in Big Grove township, near Solon, in 1843, 
and in 1815 settled in Washington township. He w^as married March 28, 
1861, to Miss Elizabeth Kessler. This union is blessed with three children: 
Annie, Wa3me, and Elmer. He is one of Sharon township's successtul 
farmers; has a tine farm with good buildings, and plenty of good stock. 
A republican iij politics; has filled the office of township trustee. 

BARTLETT HANLEY,a resident of Iowa City and proprietor of the 
Mansion House, on the corner of Maiden Lane and Lafayette street. Was 
born in May, 1838, in Ireland; came to America in 1848; landed in New 
York; came to Iowa City in 1856. He was married February 12th, 1861, 
to Miss Julia E. Carney of Iowa City. This union is blessed with five 
living children: Anthony, George, Mary, Midgie and Johnnie. He is a 
democrat in politics and always takes a lively interest in the question of 
his party ticket. The family are members of the St. Patrick Roman 
Catholic Church of Iowa City. He built the Mansion House in 1 879, a frame 
building two and one-half stories high with sixteen rooms. 

GEORGE HARTSOCK, a farmer, residing in Sharon township, post- 
office Iowa City. Was born February 6, 1830, in Pennsylvania; went 
with his parents to Belmont county, O., and lived there twelve years, and 
finally in 1847 moved with his farther, John Hartsock, and settled in Shar- 
on township, Johnson county, Iowa. He was married January 1st, 1856, 
to Miss Elizabeth C. Huft'; she died August 19th, 1865. This union is 
blessed with following named children: Marietta, wife of Emory Ives, 
Eva M., wife of C.J. Nagy, Jennie S., wife of Edwin Hummer, Jessie A. 
and Jacob M. June 16, 1866, he married MattieE. Hay; by this union they 
had two children: Homer E. and George L. After the death of this wife 
he married Mary A. Evans, October 1, 1874; by this union came one 
child, Stella. This wife died January 31, 1880. He is a republican in 
politics. He is one Sharon township's successful farmers, and is comfort- 
ably situated on 220 acres of good land. 
53 



838 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

REV. OSSIAN HARTMAN, a resident of Iowa City, and pastor of 
the German Lutheran Zion Church; was born Sept. 27, 1853, in Bavaria. 
Came to America in October, 1872, and finally settled in Iowa City in 
1879. He was married May 22, 1877, to Miss Sophia Lenwigh, of Den- 
mark. They have three children: Bertha, Carl and Elizabeth. He 
was educated and graduated from Nuremberg, Bavaria, College in 1869, 
and also a graduate from the Iowa Lutheran Theological Seminary of 
Saint Sebald, Clayton county, Iowa. He had charge of the congregation 
of the same faith at Solon, Iowa. 

JAMES RUSH HARDSOCK, a resident of Iowa City and secretary 
of the Ark of Safety; was born May 15, 1818, in Washington county, 
Pennsylvania. Came to Iowa, May 5, 1838, and finally settled in Iowa 
City, in December, 1842. He settled upon a land claim in Sharon town- 
ship, in Johnson county. He was married Feb. 10, 1863, to Miss Jesse 
Henry, only daughter of David and Mary H-enry, from near Iverness, 
Scotland, and old settlers of Iowa City. They have three children: 
George L., Josephine and James Oliver. April, 1861, Abraham Lincoln 
appointed him postmaster of Iowa City. He filled the office for six years 
and when he refused to follow " Andy Johnson's policy," htj was requested 
to hand over the office to the Hon. E. W. Lucas, a democrat, but as soon 
as the victorious General U. S. Grant was made the president he re-ap- 
pointed Mr. H. as postmaster. Owing to some dissatisfaction Mr. H., 
always for peace, entered into a written agreement to submit the question 
to a vote of the patrons of the office, a spirited electipn was had and Mr. 
H. was elected by several hundred majority, and held the office until June, 
1872, in all, nine years. Is a republican in politics. He was a candidate 
on that ticket in 1868, for mayor, the city was largely democratic and his 
opponent, the Hon. George W. McCleary, only succeeded by a majority 
of one vote. He is now engaged in a history of the work and progress 
of Masonry in Iowa, from 1840 to 1881, entitled "Forty Years of Masonry 
in Iowa." 

JONAS HARTMAN, farmer. Liberty township, post office, Bon 
Accord; was born January 8, 1817, in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania. 
Settled in Johnson county, Iowa, April 11, 1839. He was married, 
November 19, 1843, to Miss Sarah Kepler, daughter of Jacob Kepler, an 
old citizen of Sharon township. They are the parents of the following 
named children: Joshua K., George W., Ann Eliza, wife of David Smith, 
living in Ringgold county, Iowa; Albert, Alveretta, wife of Samuel 
McGlaughlin, living in Liberty township, and John E. He bought his 
claim in 1840, being 80 acres, and now owns 193^ acres, with good build- 
ings, a fine orchard, and plenty of fruit, situated on the west side of Old 
Man's creek. The family are members of the Universalist Church, in 
Iowa City. He is a democrat in politics, and has held the office of town- 
ship trustee for many years. His wife did the first weaving in Liberty 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 839 

township; her father built the loom for her, and she wove linen, linsey, 
carpet and sacking. 

JONATHAN HAWK, deceased. The subject of this sketch was 
born on the 17th day of February, 1796, in Lancaster county. Pa., where 
his early life was spent on a farm. He embraced religion early, 
and heeded to the call of his Master to preach the gospel. On 
the 25th day of January, 1820, he was united in marriage to Miss 
Catharine Mash, who was born in York county, Pennsylvania. They 
had eleven children; six are now living: Elias, Elizabeth, Catharine, 
Martha, Susanna and Christian D. In 1847 he came with his family to 
Iowa (having come here previous lo that time to look at the country), 
and settled in this county on section 36, where he followed farming and 
preaching until a short time before his death, when Christian D., his son, 
took charge of the farm. On the 28th day of October, 1875, Elder 
Hawk died, aged 79 years, 8 months and 11 da3-s. His wife survived 
him until August 16, 1880, when she died; both leaving behind them 
a record without the least stain, and in every respect worthy of imi- 
tation. Christian D. is still a resident of this county, where he was born 
on the ISth day of August, 1849. He was the main prop of his aged 
parents up to their death. On the 24th day of June, 1880, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Julia A. White, daughter of Mrs. Rebecca White, of North 
Liberty. David, as he is commonly called, owns a farm in Madison 
township, where he now resides. 

JOHN HEID, farmer. Cedar township, post-office, Solon; was born 
in Florida, July 5, 1839, and when about two years of age emigrated to 
Tuscararas county, Ohio, where they lived until 1854, when they came 
to Iowa and settled in Big Grove township, where he has since resided 
and followed farming. Mr. Held, Sr., died in 1870. He owns 184 acres 
of fine land. He was married, in August, 1868, to Mary M. Snabelea, a 
native of Iowa. They have eight children: Mary M., John A., Otto, 
Francis A., Annie, Louisa, Emma and Leo. Mr. Heid and family are 
members of the Catholic Church. 

HENRY M. HEINRICKS, farmer, post-office Solon. Was born in 
Germany, December 1st, 1821, and there learned the miller's trade, and 
emigrated to America in 1848, and landed in New Orleans; then lived in 
La Salle county, Illinois, about three years. He then came to Johnson 
county and settled in section 29, Big Grove township, and built a mill in 
1856, which he ran about fourteen years. He enlisted in company F, 22d 
Iowa, August 19, 1862, and was injured at the blowing up of the fort at 
Vicksburg and now draws a pension. He was married in November 
29, 1852, to Saloma Eberhardt, a native of France, by whom there is 
two children: Caroline, now Mrs. Moadsley, and Mary, now Mrs. Lenock. 
He was again married January 1st, 1869, to Mrs. Anna Lenock, who 
died January 6, 1878. 



840 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

PATRICK HENNESSEY, a farmer and stock raiser, residing on 
section 5, in Graham township, post-office Morse. Was born 1830 in 
Kilkenny, Ireland; came to America in 1852, and lived in New York State 
until he settled in Graham township, in 1857. He was married in 1857 
to Miss Ellen Lovett, of Ireland. This union is blessed with five children, 
one boy and four girls. The family are members of the Roman Catholic 
Church. A democrat in politics. 

JOHN HENRY, farmer and postmaster, Shoo .Fly. Was born in 
Chester county, Pennsylvania, October 13,1822; when one 3''ear of age 
his father moved to Ohio, afterwards to Indiana, and finally to Lee county^ 
Iowa, in 1846, and the subject of this sketch came to Johnson county in 
1851, and settled in what is now Fremont township, where he has since 
resided. He now owns 130 acres of land, and for several years kept the 
post-otfice of "Shoo Fly." He was married October, 1856, to Mrs. Sarah 
Wheeler, formlery Miss Wonders, a native of Iowa. They have no chil- 
dren; Mrs. Henry having tw^o by her first husband, viz: Elizabeth, now 
Mrs. Joseph Draubaugh, and Mary A., now Mrs. Newell. 

J. K. HEMPHILL, farmer and stock-raiser, post-otfice, Iowa Cit}'; 
was born November 16, 1823, in Oneida county. New York; came to 
Iowa Julyjl2, 1845; worked by the day and month until 1850; then went to 
California; remained there about two years. From there he went to New 
York; visited his parents two months. He then came to Iowa and pur- 
chased 160 acres of land in Johnson county, in sections 31 and 32, where 
he now resides. August 14, 1853, he was married to Miss M. E. Ward, 
daughter of Chancy R. Ward, of Belle Plaine, low^a. They have seven 
children: Lucy J., Frank H., M. E., Addie M., J. B., Archie W., and 
Ray C. Mr. Hemphill now owns 327 acres of land, 60 head of cattle, 
and 85 hogs; is a republican in politics; has served several terms as town- 
ship trustee. 

HENRY HERTZ, farmer, post-office, Solon; was born in Hesse 
Darmstadt, Germany, January 9, 1824, and when three years of age his 
parents, Daniel and Christiana Hertz, emigrated to America, and settled 
in Easton, Pennsylvania, where the subject of this sketch spent his boy- 
hood days. At the age of eighteeen he went to Philadelphia and served an 
apprenticeship of two 3'ears at coach blacksmithing, and worked there 
fifteen years afterward. He then, in the spring of 1857, emigrated to 
Iowa, and settled on tlie farm he now lives on, where he owns 150 acres 
of land, all well improved. He has served in many township offices. He 
was married twice, first to Anna Tilton, and the second time to Florentine 
Bropst. By the first marriage there are three children: Albert F., Harry 
S., and Cordelia, now married to G. Blessin, a Lutheran minister, and by 
the second marriage there are seven living and four dead. Those living 
are as follows: Cilena, now married to C. Mardor, a Lutheran minister; 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 841 

William, Jacob, Mary, George, Gustave, and Sarah. Mr. Hertz is a 
member of the German Lutheran Chmxh, and one of tht first members 
of that organization in Solon. 

JOHN R. HESS, wagon maker, Solon; was born in Lancaster county. 
Pa., Aug. 25, 1837, where he spent the first twenty-eight years of his life, 
and learned the wagon-maker's trade. In 1865 he emigrated to Iowa and 
settled in Iowa City, where he worked, and came to Solon in 1869. Was 
in partnership with G. R. Williams, for a few years, and since 1879 has 
been carrying on the business alone, and doing a flourishing business. 
He was married Dec. 2, 1S74, to Laura Warren, a native of Ohio. They 
have three children, viz: Warren C, Frank F., and Ralph R. Mr. Hess 
is a Master Mason. 

GEORGE P. HESS, was born July 27, 1839, at Steuben county, N.Y. 
In Sept., 1854, he came to Rock Island by railroad, and then by stage to 
Iowa City, in company with his uncle, George Powell, of Iowa City. His 
mother died when he was quite ^young. She was a sister of John and 
George Powell of Iowa City. He was a member of the Episcopal 
Church of Iowa City, also a member of the A. O. U. W. and the Legion 
of Honor of the same place. He was married Nov. 27, 1863, to Miss Ella 
L. Murry, of Iowa City. They had three children: Johnnie, Sadie and 
Margrette. Johnie was drowned in the Iowa river while bathing Aug. 
2, 1882, and his father after a few weeks' sickness, on the 19th day of 
August, 1882, was called from earth to meet his reward and join his son 
he loved so dearly. 

SAMUEL S. HESS, a citizen of Iowa City; was born April 17, 1835, 
in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and settled in Johnson county, Iowa, in 
1869, and engaged in the mercantile business in Iowa City. He was mar- 
ried in March, 1859, to Miss Margaret Bellass, of Philadelphia. This 
union is blessed by three children: Florence M., a graduate of the State 
University, N. Elizabeth, and Harry B. The family belongs to the 
Episcopal Church of Iowa City. He is a member of the Masonic bodies 
of Iowa City, and is a democrat in politics. 

SAMUEL J. HESS, a resident of Iowa City; was born October 23, 
1824, at Aaronburg, Center county, Pennsylvania; came to Iowa City in 
1846. He was married September 21, 1852, to Miss Margaret A. W. 
Snyder, of Iowa City. This union is blessed with five living children: 
Carrie I., George W., Lincoln H., Millard W., and Kittie. He made an 
overland trip to California in 1850, and returned in 1852. A republican 
in politics; was elected clerk of county court in 1854, defeating S. B. 
Gardner, and was re-elected, defeating Henry Felkner. He was a mem- 
ber of the county board of supervisor from 1865 to 1871, and a member 
of the city council in 1858, and from 1871 to 1875. In all the positions of 
public trust he proved faithful in every- respect. He began the hardware 



842 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

t 

business in 1866, doing business on Washington street, and the firm of 
Hess & Co. is recognized as a substantial business house. 

HARMON H. HIATT, A. M., B. D., junior proprietor and principal 
of the Iowa City Academy; was born August 16," 1846, in Highland 
county, Ohio. He came to Iowa City and entered the State University . 
in 1869, and graduated with the class of 1875; he was principal of the ' 
public schools in Carroll City 1873-74, also of the Springdale public schools 
from 1875 to '78, and resigned and took his present position in the Iowa 
City Academy. He was married in February, 1876, to Miss Edith Brown, 
of Iowa City. 

AMOS HIATT, A. M., the senior proprietor and principal of Hiatt 
Bros. Academy; was born November 23, 1843, in Highland county, Ohio; 
came to Iowa in the fall of 1857. He was a faithful soldier in the Federal 
army in company D, 33d Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served until the 
close of the war; he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant in 1864, and during 
that year had command of the company; (he enlisted in Oskaloosa, hencdv 
his military record does not appear in the Johnson county roll of honor.) \ 
He came to Iowa City in 1866, entered the State University shortly after, \ 
and graduated in 1870; he was principal of the public schools of Brooklyn, \ 
in Poweshiek county, Iowa, in 1872-73 ; superintendent of the public schools * 
of Johnson county, 1874-75, and superintendent of the public schools of 
Anamosa, Jones county, in 1876-77; he taught mathematics two terms in / 
the State University after graduating. He was married August 18, 1870, 
to Miss Elma A. Sanders, of Iowa City. He was formerly a member of 
the Quaker church, and Joined the M. E. Church in Iowa City, in 1870. 

O. HIGBEE, a resident of Scott township, post-office, Iowa City, and 
a farmer and stock-raiser; was born in Alleghany county, Penns3dvania, 
in 1818, owns 320 acres of land in section 31; the first claim he made in 
Johnson county in 1854. He was married in 1841, January 14, to Eliza- 
beth Riggs, of Pennsylvania. The}' have five children: four of whom are 
living: Daniel W., is practicing law in Creston, Iowa; Sarah, wife of N. 
Snvder; Obediah F., who graduated at the Iowa City Academy, 1882; 
Elizabeth, and Caroline, the wife of Ira J. Barnes. He is a member of 
the Christian Church, and has always been active and firm on the church 
and school question of Scott township. He has held the office of school 
director the most of the time since his residence in Scott township. 

M. R. HILL, dry goods and groceries, post-office. Lone Tree; was 
born in Green county, Pennsylvania, March 11, 1838, where he spent his 
early life. He attended the Waynesburg College after going through the 
common schools; he followed farming as his principal occupation, and 
came to Iowa in the spring of 1867; lived in Muscatine county four years, 
then came to Johnson county and lived in Lincoln township, where he 
followed farming and buying and feeding stock. In January, 1882, he 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 843 

bought out the store of G. W. Olds, at Lone Tree, and has added more 
stock, and now carries a fine stock of goods of over $4,000. He was 
married November 15, 1860, to Miss Ar}^ V. Allison, a native of Pennsyl- 
vania; this marriage has been blessed with four children, viz.: Harry B., 
Maggie D., Mary E. and Frank G. Mr. Hill and wife, are members of 
the Cumberland Presbyterian Church; he is also a member of the Knights 
of Honor, at Lone Tree. 

REV. JOHN HINDMAN was born in Armstrong county, Pennsyl- 
vania, January 12, 1817. By occupation he was a farmer and minister; he 
was the owner of 160 acres of land, all under cultivation. At the age of 
eleven years his parents, Samuel and Sarah moved to Trumbull county, 
Ohio, where he has reared to manhood, and remained until coming to Linn 
county, Iowa, in 1844, and made his home in that and Cedar county until 
coming to this county in 1864, and has made this his home, except two 
years and a half that he spent in California and Oregon. He has been 
twice married, first in 1846 to Miss Emily Weeks, a native of Ohio. They 
had nine children, seven of whom are living: William B., Wilber F., 
Lorenzo S., Lizzie A., Emma O., Asa W., Jesse L., Frank P., and James. 
His first wife died May 25, 1862, at Linn county, Iowa. He was again 
married April 23, 1863, to Mrs. Aris McKinsey, the widow of Wm. 
McKinsey, a native of Vermont. They had one child. Mr. Hindman's 
father died in 1831 at the age of fifty-five, and his mother died in Illinois, 
in 1881, at the advanced age of ninety-three. Mr. Hindman has been a 
minister of the Methodist Church for thirty-eight years; for the last 
twenty years, owing to failing health, has not been on a circuit. Mr. 
Hindman is a self-made and self-educated man and has never depended 
on the ministry for a liveHhood. In 1872 he was chosen a member of 
the Fifteenth General Assembly of Iowa. His third son was a member 
of the Upper Iowa Conference. 

H. L. HINKLEY, farmer and stock-raiser, post-office. Lone Tree; 
is a son of Luther and Eunice Hinkley, and was born in Madison county, 
New York, March 25, 1823, where he spent his early life, and got a good 
common school education, and followed farming. In December, 1855, 
he came to Johnson county, and bought the farm he now lives on in 
Fremont township, section 5, and owns 170 acres of finely improved land, 
and has fine buildings; he follows farming and raising stock. He was 
married September 27, 1855, to Hannah Collins, daughter of Hoxie and 
Deborah Collins, also of Madison county. New York. They had eight 
children, seven now living, viz: H. Durvane, H. Delos, Ellen H., Jennie 
H., L. Harley, Minnie D., Howard C, and H. Eugene, deceased. 

JOSEPH HIRT, a store keeper in South Liberty, Liberty township, 
and the present postmaster of Bon Accord. Was born April 27th, 1836, 
near Tiffin, Seneca county, Ohio; came to Johnson county in 1854, settled 



844 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, 

in Sharon county, and afterwards moved into Liberty township. Has 
been postmaster ten years; Charles Wrede was the first postmaster. 
Mr. H. was married January 27th, 1862, to Miss Mary A. Stroebel. 
They have eight children, four boys and four girls: William J., Emma 
E., Chas E., Frank E., Joseph T.,"Rosa J., Mary C. and Julia M. The 
family are members of the Roman Catholic Church of Liberty township. 
Mr. H. is a democrat in politics. 

WILLIAM P. HOHENSCHUH, a resident of Iowa City, and one 
of the proprietors of the Furniture Palace, and senior member of the firm 
of Hohenschuh, Cree & Lee, doing business, on College street, furniture 
dealers and undertakers. He was born November 10,1858, in Iowa 
City; he succeeded his father in business in 1876, and formed the present 
parnership in 1881. He was married February 4, 1880, to Miss Nena 
Crawford, of Morris, Illinois. He is a member of the St. Mary's Roman 
Catholic Church, of Iowa City. He is a 'democrat in pohtics and was 
elected by his party coroner of Johnson county, in 1882. The gentlemen 
composing this firm have had much experience in their business, and 
their work ornaments many of the houses in Iowa City. As director 
general of a fiist-class funeral, we can safely say, that Will, has no supe- 
rior, and but few equals. ^ 

DENNIS HOGAN,a farmer residing in Clear Creek township. Was 
born May 4, 1820, in County Clare, Ireland. He came to America in 
1847, landed in St. Johns, New Brunswick, and thence to Boston, Mass., 
and finally settled in Johnson county, Iowa, in 1853. He moved out 
on a farm in 1861, where he has resided since. He was married in April, 
1854, to Miss Sarah J. Shelleday; she died of cholera in August, 1855, 
also her father and mother died of the same disease in Iowa City, the same 
month and year. He married Mary Boylen in February, 1856, and she 
died in August 1866. By this union they had six children: Dennis 
Thomas, Katie, Maggie, John and William. He was married in June 
1867, to Miss Anna Clark, of Iowa City; and by this union they have 
four children: James, Albert, Anna aud Richard. The family are mem- 
bers of the St. Patrick's Church of Iowa City. He is greenbacker; was 
formerly a democrat; he has held the office of to.vnship trustee of 
Clear Creek township for several terms. 

BEAUMONT S. HOLMES, a resident of Iowa City, engaged in the 
marble business on the corner of Court and Clinton streets; was born 
March 19, 1816, in Oneida county, New York; came to Johnson county 
in March, 1841, and went back to his native state in the fall of that year, 
and was married April 27, 1842, to Miss Rachel W. Lathrop, of Oneida 
county. New York. They have six children: Dewitt C, Tryphena, wife 
of Charles Golden, of Newton, Iowa; Makins B., Eva V., Ella V., a 
graduate of the State University, and Carrie, wafe of Louis Johnson, of 
Decorah, Iowa. Mr. Holmes is a member of the Congregational Church 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 845 

of Iowa City. A republican in politics, and served one term on the Iowa 
City school board. He started the first business in Iowa of cutting tomb- 
stones in 1843. 

JACOB HOFER, farmer, Cedar township, post-office, Solon; was 
born in Switzerland, August 12, 1829, and came to America in 1849, 
and went to Michigan, where he lived until 1856, when he came to Iowa 
and settled where he now resides; he now owns 270 acres of fine land. 
He was married May, 1853, to Elizabeth Meyer, a native of Germany; 
they have five children: Mary, Emil, Clara, Andrew and Flora. 

MAHLON HOELINGSWORTH, a farmer, residing in Scott town- 
ship, in section 36, post-office, Downey, Muscatine count}^; was born 
February 24, 1822. His father was a millwright. Mr, Hollingsworth is 
a prominent member in the Highland Quaker church in Scott township; 
he settled in Johnson county in 1854. He was married March 2, 1843, 
to Miss Mary P. Whitacre. They have six children: Edward W., James 
M., Rachel A., wife of A. Mead, Charles M., Aquilla W., and Esther, 
wife of Joshua Secrest, living; Rebecca and Harriet are dead. He is a 
republican in politics; was formerly a whig; he has a fine farm with 
good buildings, amply supplied with water, and upon which he raises 
fine crops and plenty of all kinds of fruits. 

JOHN J. HOLMES, the present popular and efficient mayor of Iowa 
City; was born Dec. 28, 1833, in Leesburg, Carrol county, Ohio. He 
was married Oct. 30, 1858, to Miss Sarah Bodley, of Newton, Iowa. 
They have three children: Maggie, Charles and Bertie. He settled in 
Iowa City in June, 1863. He is engaged in the marble business at No. 
116, East College street. Junior member of the firm of J.W. Sterling & Co., 
a republican in politics, was alderman of the city for three years, and was 
elected mayor in April, 1882, a member of the A. O. U. W. of Iowa 
City and of the L. of H. of Iowa City, also of the American L. of H. He 
was living in Hannibal, Mo., when the war broke out and was a member 
of a company of Independent Scouts, and served under General Hulburt 
on special service at Lexington, Mo., during which service he lost his 
health and was not able^to continue in the service of his country. He set- 
tled in Iowa City in June, 1863, and has been prosperous in business and 
has grown popular with the people, as is evidenced by the fact that he was 
elected mayor on the republican ticket in April, 1882, over one of Iowa 
City's most successful and popular democrat mayors, and the people will 
not be inclined to " swap horses in the middle of the stream," but elect 
Mayor Holmes to a second term. 

W. F. HONBERGER, farmer and stock raiser, post-office Morse; 
born in Indiana in 1858. At two years of age, moved with his parents to 
Marshall county, Iowa, and lived there until 1870, when he went to Cedar 
Falls, Iowa, and attended school there about four years ; he then went to 



846 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

O'Brien county, Iowa, and remained there until 1S76, when he came to 
Graham township. January 1, 1880, he was married to Miss Eva C. 
Morse. 

JACOB HORN, post-office. Western, farmer and stock-raiser; was 
born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, Sept. 29, 1823. Son of John and 
Catharine Horn. Was raised on a farm until he was fifteen years old, 
when his parents died, after which he served an apprenticeship to the 
wagon and buggy making trade, with Samuel Otto, in Bedford. After 
working four years with him, he then worked for a time in Cumberland 
City, Maryland. March 13, 1845, he was married to Miss Mary E. 
Smith, daughter of Frederick and Mary Smith of Bedford county, Penn- 
sylvania. To them were born nine children, seven are living: Joseph, 
W. S., in millinery business at Iowa City; Reuben S., Frederick F., 
William II., Stewart, Emma L., married to W. H. Cattrell, and Alice M. 
From 1845 to 1865 he followed his trade. In the spring of 1865 he came 
to Iowa and staid in Cedar County until the fall; he then came to 
this county and purchased 133 acres of land in section five, where he 
now resides. He afterwards bought of William Hall eighty acres in 
Linn county, Mr, Horn has followed farming ever since he has been in 
the State, until a few years ago, when the boys began to farm. He now 
superintends the farm and raises stock. He and his wife are members of 
the M. E. Church. His wife was born Nov. 29, 1826. 

SAMUEL G. HANKE, a farmer, residing in West Lucas township; 
was born February 17, 1821, near Berlin, Prussia; came to America and 
landed in New York city, July 4, 1850; came to Iowa in 1855, and to 
Johnson county in 1867. He was married July 14, 1852, to Miss 
Fredickie Key; they have one son, William. They are members of the 
German Luthern Church of Iowa City. Democratic in politics; his son 
William is one of the trustees of Lucas township. They make a specialty 
of raising fine cattle; they have sold all their fine stock of Holstein 
cattle, and William contemplates a trip to Europe to secure and import 
the finest stock of cattle he can find. 

JOSEPH H. HORRELL, farmer, post-office, Lone Tree; was born 
in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, November 16, 1837; at the age of ten he 
moved to Fayette county. Pa., where he remained until 1864, when he 
emigrated to Johnson county, Iowa, and settled in Fremont township, 
where he now owns 160 acres of land, a part of which he improved from 
raw prairie. He has held the office of township assessor, and now gives 
his attention to farming and raising stock. He was married November 
24, 1861, to Miss Sarah A. Wood, a native of Fayette county, Pa. They 
have had eight children, five of whom are now living, viz: William E., 
Isaac N., James C, Anna L., and Walter W.; those dead are Phebe E., 
Mary F. and Joseph H. Mr. Horrell is a member of the A. O, U, W., 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 847 

of Riverside, also a member of the Christian Church. Politically he is 
democratic and an advocate of the temperance cause. 

FRANK J. HORAK, a resident of Iowa City, and engaged in the 
practice of the law, with an office on the east side of Dubuque street; was 
born April 21, 1844, in Bohemia, Austria. Graduated from the law 
department of the State University, June 23, 1879. He was a faithful 
soldier in the Union army, enlisting in Company E, 46th Iowa Infantry, 
in May, 1864, and remained until the close of the war. He settled in 
Iowa City in October, 1880, having practiced law in Benton county one 
year, and it can be truthfully said that he is the only Bohemian attorney in 
Johnson county. He was married May 2, 1870, to Miss Katie Mosnat, 
of Belle Plaine, Iowa. They are blessed with three bright little children: 
Bertha Maude, Frank E., and Hugo Claude. Is a democrat in politics, 
and enjoys the confidence of his people. He is a member of the Legion 
of Honor in Iowa City. He was postmaster at Shueyville in 1865, to 
fill a vacancy. He came to America in August, 1854, landing in New 
York City. He came to Rock Island by railroad and then to Iowa City 
in a wagon. He accidently shot himself in his right elbow in October, 
1870, while in the act of taking a gun out of the wagon, on his return 
from a hunting expedition. 

SIMEON HOTZ, was born February 18, 1819, in Fuetzen, Baden, 
died in Iowa City Nov. 6, 1881. He came to America in the spring of 
1850, and finally settled in Iowa City in 1857. He was married Dec. 26, 
1852, to Miss Barbara Williams. They had seven children, five of whom 
are Hving: Mesdames Hugel, Staub, Graf and Misses Ella and Julia. He 
was a member of the St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church of Iowa City, 
as well as a member of the St. Joseph Society. He was a shoemaker by 
trade, and worked at his trade until he went in partnership with Louis 
Englert in the city brewerv. In 1857 he began brewing on his own 
account, and finally built the Union Drewery in 1868, and opened up that 
brewery in 1869, in partnership with his son-in-law, Mr. Geiger. In 1877 
he was a victim of the railroad accident at Little Four Mile, on the C. R. 
I. & P. R. R., and was the last man rescued from the wreck after a con- 
finement of seven hours. He was a soldier in Brentano's Army in the 
revolution of 1848 and he grounded arms in the platz of Carlsruhe in 
May, 1849, when Duke Leopold retreated and left his duchy to Brentano, 
and the national committee. Leopold returned in August of the same year 
in the van of the Prussian army, and the young patriot could no longer 
have a home in his native mountain land, and being exiled never more to 
return, he set his face toward the great liberty loving republic of America. 

JACOB J. HOTZ, a resident of Iowa City; was born July 3, 1853, in 
New York City. Contractor and member of the firm of Shinn & Hotz; 
carpenters and builders of Iowa City. Their shop is on North Gilbert 



848 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Street opposite 119; residence on North Gilbert street, No. 38*1. He was 
married Sept. 5, 1875, in Chicago, to Miss Delia Crawford, of that city. 
They have three children: Charles C, Frank W. and Guy J. He is a 
member of the St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church of Iowa City. He is 
a democrat in politics, and Sept. 30, 1882 received the democratic nomin- 
ation for recorder of Johnson county. He has the contract for building the 
buildings for the Iowa City water works, 

BENJAMIN M. HORNER, was born June 2T, 1818, in Harrison 
county, Virginia; he moved to Ohio in the spring of 1837, and from there 
to Iowa in 1839. He engaged in farming for six years and then opened 
a wagon and carnage shop. He taught school during the winters of 1841 
and 1842 in Madison township on the north bend; had about 20 scholars. 
He married Feb. 16, 1841, Miss Annie Wheatl}^, of Iowa City township. 
They had two children: Marcellus, killed during the war at Sabine Cross 
Roads, Louisiana, in company C, 28th Iowa Infantry; Carrie, the wife of 
Richard Wales, of Harveysburgh, Warren county, Ohio. His wife died 
January 21, 1846. He was married March 7, 1853, to Eliza Steele, of 
Iowa City, and she died Aug. 19, 1880. He was active in forming the 
first temperance organization called the Washingtonian, and delivered the 
first temperance lecture in Johnson county, at the residence of Dr. Jesse 
Bowsen, in the winter of 1840. He is a devoted member of the M. E. 
Church of Iowa City, and was the leader of the first M. E. Church class 
in Johnson county, at the Parrott Church in Scott township. He was 
formerly a whig, but now a republican in politics. 

J. F. HOUSER, M. D., a resident of Iowa City, in the practice of medi- 
cine and surgery, office on the corner of Dubuque and Washington streets ; 
was born February 2, 1837, in Switzerland; came to America in 1847, 
landed in New York. He served four years in the army; enlisted as a 
private in the First Wisconsin Battery, and was afterwards contract sur- 
geon with the State of Wisconsin, and then became assistant surgeon 
United States Volunteers, and assigned to the First Wisconsin Battery ; 
his vast experience in the army as surgeon qualifies him for the duties of 
that part of his profession much better than a limited experience over a 
•disecting table in a medical college; he graduated from the Medical Col- 
lege at Keokuk, Iowa, March, 1882. He was married in 1858 to Miss 
Rosa Smith, and this union is blessed with one daughter: Carrie E.; his 
wife died in 1860, and June 30, 1865, he was married to Miss DeHa Car- 
penter, of Iowa, and this union is blessed with one daughter: Lillian A. 
He is a democrat in politics; a member of the Masonic society at West 
Branch, Iowa, also a member of the A. O, U. W,, Legion of Honor, and 
United Order of Honor of Iowa City, 

HON. THOMAS HUGHES. The subject of this sketch was born 
September 22, 1814, at Catawissa, Pennsylvania; died March 11, 1881, in 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 849 

Iowa City. He came to Iowa in 1838 and to Iowa City in 1841, and was 
engaged in the printing business with General Van Amptworth; he was 
State Senator from Johnson county from 1816 to 1849; he was treasurer 
of Johnson county from 1855 to 1859. He was married September 15, 
1841, to Miss Louisa King, of Dubuque, Iowa. They had four children: 
Delia, wife of James Gow, of Greenfield, Adair county, Iowa; Ellis G., 
living at Portland, Oregon ; Annie G., living in Iowa City, with her mother, 
and Louisa E., principal of the Iowa City high school. He was a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church of Iowa City; he was a member of I. O. 
O. F. societies of Iowa Citv. He was a soldier in the late civil war, as 
quartermaster of the 28th Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry, commis- 
sioned August 15, 1862; was taken prisoner on the Red River expedition, 
and who held as such fourteen months at Fort Tyler, Texas. He was a 
republican in politics since 1856; he was city clerk of Iowa City for the 
year 1869-70-71-72-78-79-80, and was clerk when he died. His health 
was broken down and he was partially blind in one eye from suffering in a 
rebel prison. He received a paralytic stroke in 1865 and recovered from 
it, and had second a stroke in September, 1880, and partially recovered, 
and finally died of paralysis of the lungs. Mrs. Hughes fell and hurt her- 
self Thanksgiving day, 1881, and is probably a cripple for life; she was 
born August 23, 1823, in the city of Baltimore, and came to Dubuque 
Iowa, in 1839. 

WM. HUNT, a resident of Iowa City, and the owner and proprietor 
of Hunt's Hotel, on College street, south side numbers 18, 20, 22 and 24, 
near the Opera House; was born July 21, 1839, in Tipperary county, Ire- 
land; came to America in 1854, and landed in New Orleans; came to and 
settled in Iowa City the same year. He is a butcher by trade. He was 
married August 19, 1866, to Miss Annie Boylan, of Iowa City. This 
union is blessed with four children: Mary J. B., John W. M., Maggie E., 
and Nettie C. The family are members of the St. Patrick's Roman Catho- 
lic Church of Iowa City, A democrat in politics, and has been honored, 
with an office at the hands of his party; he served in the city council from 
the 3d ward in 1878-79. His hotel is well and favorably known, and the 
accommodations are good in every particular. 

ADAM HUNTER (deceased), was born in 1796, in Ireland; came to 
America in 1815. He was married in 1823 to Miss Efizabeth Morrison, 
at Little York, Pennsylvania. He went into the mercantile business in 
1823 in Baltimore, Maryland, and in 1827 moved to Youngstown, Ohio, 
where he lived until 1850, when he settled in Scott township, Johnson 
count}^, Iowa, where he lived twenty-six years, and whence he was buried 
in 1876. He had seven stalwart sons and four daughters. Andrew fell 
bravely defending his train and sleeps on a wild mountain side in Idaho. 
William died of wounds received during a federal cavalry charge in the 
late civil war. They have all grown to manhood and womanhood 



S50 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

exceptinf^ one child dying in infancy, completing the patriarchal family of 
twelve sons born to the union of Adam Hunter and Elizabeth Morrison. 
He fell asleep at the ripe age of eighty years, after leading a wise life, 
leaving an example reaching far into the acts of those who knew him. 

POLLY HUDSON was born in Greenbriar county, Virginia, Decem- 
ber 22, 1812. Her parents moved to Indiana, and from there to Illinois, in 
1829, where she was married June 27th to Joseph Hudson. They had three 
children, two now^ living: Jane E., wife of Jacob S. Bowersox, and James 
R.; both reside in Shueyville. In 1851 they came to Iowa, and settled in 
this county, where Mr. Hudson died September 27, 1855, Mrs. Hudson 
survives him, and lives with her daughter in Shueyville. She did the 
first weaving of cloth and carpet in this township. From her was 
obtained some of the early history. 

CHARLES HUBNER, blacksmith, residing at Tiffin; was born April 
26, 1850, in Prussia; came to America, and settled in Iowa City in 1855, 
being only five years of age. He was married Januarv 5, 1874, to Miss 
Katie Strub of Iowa City. They have two children, Fred and Lewis. 
He is independent in politics, and is a member of the Masonic society, and 
the I.O. O. F., Iowa City. He learned his trade with G. Kettlewell of Iowa 
City, and his business and work show that he learned it well. He does 
all kinds of job work, wagon and carriage work and repairs all kinds of 
agricultural implements. His shop is near the C, R. I. & P. railroad 
depot. 

ROBERT HUTCHENSON. The subject of this sketch is the oldest 
resident citizen in Iowa City. Was born September 16th, 1811:, at West 
Newton, eight miles west of Boston, in Hillsborough county, Vew Hamp- 
shire. He settled in Iowa City July 17, 1839; he is a carpenter and 
joiner by trade; built the first Presbyterian Church in Iowa City, that 
contained the celebrated "Hummer Bell." He helped erect the first log 
house that was built in Iowa City. He went to California in the fall of 
1849, and came back in 1852, about as rich as he went. He was married 
■ October 19, '1843, in Iowa City, to Miss Julia Maria Whetstone, of Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio. This union has been blessed with nine children living and 
three dead, those living are: Zelah W., married and living in Muscatine; 
Julia E., wife of P. M. Musser, a prominent attorney and banker at 
Muscatine; Charles J., a railroad engineer; Sophia W., Hannah J., Carrie 
W., S. DeUa, Ada F. and Franklin Pierce. Those dead are: Laura C.> 
wife of Jas. Clark of Des Moines; Willie and Robert. He is a member 
of the Masonic lodge of Iowa City. Is a republican in politics, and was 
the first marshal of Iowa City; held the office two years. He had the 
small-pox in February, 1864, and when he recovered from it, the sight of 
his left eye was affected, and in a few years he lost his sight in that eye, 
and then his right eye began growing dim, and finally lost his sight 
entirely. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 851 

GEORGE HUMMER, a resident of Iowa City, engaged in the whole- 
sale grocery business. Was born May 5th, 1841, in Burlington, Iowa. 
He was married August 12, 1878, to Miss Helen Rider, of Iowa City. 
They were blessed with five children, four of them living: Mar}^ L., 
Joseph E., George A., (dead), WilHam J. and Leo. F. Mr. H. was form- 
erly in the dry goods business in Iowa City until 1872, when he estab- 
lished the wholesale grocery house of Geo. Hummer & Co., Nos. 328, 
330, 332, corner of Washington and Linn streets, main building 49x100 
feet, built in 1880, at a cost of $75,000; it is one of the fine business 
houses in Iowa City, a two story brick with basement; and their business 
is increasing every year. Andrew Hummer, his father, built the first 
brewery in Iowa, and brewed the first beer in Burhngton, in 1837; got 
his supplies from Cincinnati by boat. His father died in 1849, and his 
mother died in 1848. Mr. Hummer is a democrat in politics, and a mem- 
ber of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Iowa City ; he is one of the 
Iowa City leading business men, and is building up a large wholesale busi- 
ness by his own exertions and energy. His father-in-law, Mr. Rider, is a 
partner in the firm. 

MARTIN HUCEK, a farmer in Lincoln township, post-office. Lone 
Tree. Was born in 1843, in Austria; came to America in 1855, and 
went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and lived there one year, and then moved 
to Iowa City. He was married in 1860 to Miss Mary Groft'. This union 
was blessed with the following children: John, born in 1861; Francis, 
born in 1863; Joseph, born in 1865; Mary, born 1867; Annie, born 1869, 
Frank, born 1871. He is a democrat in poHtics and voted against the 
prohibitory amendment; he was drafted in 1862 and sent a substitute. 

HON. JOHN P. IRISH. Mr. Irish is an editor of wonderful abihty, a 
politician with few superiors and a citizen worthy of all the warm friends that 
he can count by the thousands. His political life is a history of itself. 
He became editor of the Iowa City State Press in December, 1864, and 
continued owner and editor of the same until Sept. 6, 1882. A demo- 
crat in politics, always true to his party in season and out. He has held 
several offices of honor, profit and trust; was a member of the Iowa 
House of Representatives and was one of its efficient workers. If he had 
been a republican he would have occupied a prominent place in the history 
of the nation. He has the ability, the tact and energy to work himself 
to national fame. His many friends here in Johnson county picture for 
him a brilliant future and a lofty position in the history of the nation. 
He was married Nov. 3, 1875, to Miss Anna Fletcher. They have two 
bright little children. In 1882 he moved to California, and the evening 
before his departure the citizens of Iowa City gave him a public reception 
at the St. James Hotel, where he was presented with a fine gold watch 
and chain, and his wife with a fine clock, as a testimonial of the esteem in 



852 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

which he was held by his many warm friends in Iowa City, both demo- 
cratic and republican joining in making these presents. 

AUGUST ISENSE, a resident of Iowa City, a merchant on Washing- 
ton street and senior member of the firm of Isense & Cerny, clothiers; 
was born in March, 1819, in the Province of Brunswick. Came to 
America in 1846, landed in New Orleans; came to Iowa City in 1847. 
He worked on the State House in 1847 and 1848, then engaged as 
clerk in a grocery store and bought the store in 1860, and opened a 
clothing and gents' furnishing goods store in 1865. He was married in 
August, 1846, to Miss Dora Bethon of Brunswick. They have one 
child: Mary, the wife of Fred Rothweiler. The family are members of 
the German Lutheran Church of Iowa City. He is a democrat in politics, 
was township trustee in 1869, '80-'81, member of Tutonia, German 
Lodge, No. 129, I. O. O. F. 

PETER JACOBS, a farmer residing in Sharon township, post-office, 
Bon Accord; was born July 4, 1828. He was married in October, 1869, 
to Miss Susan W. Blitz. He settled in Johnson county in 1866. He is 
independent in politics, never held any office, and is liberal in his religious 
views. He was a soldier in the late civil war, and served his country in 
company D, Ninth Wisconsin Volunteers for three years, and lost his 
health in the army. 

JOHN W. JAYNE, farmer and fine stock raiser, post-office. Lone 
Tree; was born in Broom county, New York, October 28, 1819, and 
spent the first thirt3'-five years of his life in the north-east corner town- 
ship of Pennsylvania, and followed farming and lumxbering. In 1854 he 
moved to Iowa and settled in Muscatine county, near the Scott county 
line, and resided in that county until the spring of 1870. In 1861 he and 
his son Whittaker enlisted in Compan}- B, 8th Iowa Regiment, and at the 
battle of Shiloh he was taken prisoner and was in the Tuscaloosa prison 
two months, where he lost his health; he was discharged July 1, 1862. 
The following fall he was elected clerk of the District Court for Johnson 
county, and held that office three terms, (six years), and was the first 
county officer ever elected the third term in that county. In the spring 
1870 he moved to Fremont township, this count}^ where he owned a large 
tract of land, over 1200 acres, and in 1872, he laid out the town of Lone 
Tree. He is now a member of the board of supervisors of this county; 
he is a self and thoroughly educated man, and taught school two and a 
half years in Lone Tree, and owns a fine library of over 800 volumns, 
principally scientific .works. He now owns 220 acres of land and is 
engaged, with his sons David and Henry, in breeding and raising 
thoroughbred Short-horns, and owns some of the finest blooded stock 
west of the Mississippi river. He was married September 25, 1841, to 
Miss Deborah Early; she dying August 25, 1842, leaving one boy, Whit- 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 85S 

taker. He was again married September, 1842, to Miss Catherine Gilli- 
land, a native of New York. They have had five children, viz: David, 
Henry, William and Deborah, both deceased, and Sarah, married to Rev. 
A. C. Kelley. Mr. Jayne and family are members of the Baptist Church, 
and he is an active temperance worker. 

JOHN E. JAYNE, born December 15, 1838; came to Johnson county, 
1810; he is a bridge contractor and builder. His father entered 1,000 
acres of land in Graham township. He was married July 3, 1866, to Miss 
Laura O. Bird, of Woodstock, Ills. They have three children: Howard 
W., Ella, Eben and Hayes. Republican in politics: member city council 
from fourth ward, 1878 and 1879; was in the army, Company D, 24th 
Iowa Regiment; member of the Congregational Church; member of the 
Legion of Honor of Iowa City. He is one of the enterprising citizens of 
Iowa City. He is the builder of the Jayne patent combination truss arch 
bridge. His shop is on Gilbert street. His bridges are being built in 
many counties in Iowa. 

SYLVANUS JOHNSON, a farmer, residing in Lucas township, 
post-office, Iowa City; was born November ]2, 1813, in New Haven 
county, Conn. Came to Iowa in 1837, and to Johnson county in the fall of 
1839. He opened the first brick-yard and moulded the first brick in Iowa 
City, April 15, 1840, burned the first kiln in May, 1840, and the first 
brick building was a two-story brick, now occupied by O'Hanlan & Sons, 
boots and shoes. He was married, April 15, 1845, to Miss Emily Bradley, 
of New Haven, Conn. They have six children: Lawrence B., Theodore, 
Ella and Ellsworth, twins, Leora and Homer. He is a member of the 
Baptist Church of Iowa City. A democrat in politics; was vice-president 
of the national democratic convention, at Louisville, Kentucky, that nom- 
inated O'Conner and Black, in 1872. He was a member of the city 
council in 1855, and was justice of the peace of Lucas township one term. 
He met with an accident when but sixteen years of age that has crippled 
him for life, the result of a dislocation of the right hip-joint, followed by 
white swelling. He is a man of strong political convictions, and always 
free to express them. He was bitterly opposed to Greely's nomination, 
and could not see how any democrat with honest political convictions 
could vote for Horace Greely. 

ROLLA JOHNSON, fruit-grower, Clear Creek township, post-office, 
Tiffin; was born in the town of Lenox, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, 
June 3, 1815; is the son of Ira and Cyntha Johnson. His parents moved 
to Oswego county. New York, when he was but three years old, where 
he was raised on a farm until eighteen years of age, when he went to 
Newark, Huron county, Ohio, and clerked in the store of Mr. Kimball 
for three years; he then went into partnership with S. Patrick, and con- 
tinued until 1841; then went to Tiffin, Ohio, where he kept a store of his 
54 



354 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

own until 1849, when he came to Iowa, having come previously to look 
at the country. He first settled in Iowa City, though he bought land in 
Iowa county. In 1855 he sold his land to the Amana society, purchased 
property in Davenport, lived there one winter, and then purchased land 
in this county, where he now resides, on section 28, where he owns 140 
acres of splendid land. In January, 1843, he was married to Miss Helen 
E. Morse, of Huron count}^ Ohio. Of this union there are four children 
living: Charles M., Ira, Frank W. and Emma V. His wife died January 
26, 1869, and on the lOth of October, 1871, he was married to Miss Sarah 
S. Youman. Mr. Johnson is now engaged in fruit growing and bee cul- 
ture. He is a member of the Baptist Church, a republican, and a tem- 
perance man in every sense of the term. 

LAWRENCE B. JOHNSON, a resident of Iowa City, and engaged in 
the flour and feed business, on Dubuque street: was born July 19, 1847. 
He was married January 14, 1880, to Miss Flora Schaedler, of Iowa City. 
They have one child, a little boy. He was deputy sheriff of Johnson 
county under John Coldren. He is a member of the Legion of Honor, a 
member of the Baptist Church, and is a democrat in politics. He was a 
prominent candidate for sheriff in 1881; by force of circumstances over 
which he had no control the democratic leaders thought they would elect 
Mr. Coldren a third term, and that left Mr. Johnson free to engage in 
other business. 

CHARLES JONES (deceased). The subject of this sketch was born 
in Ireland in 1800; came to America and settled in Iowa City in 1840, and 
worked on the capitol building. In 1843 he made a claim on section 2, 
township 78, near Edward R. Ricord's. He made the overland journey 
to California in 1850 with a team of oxen, and returned home by the 
Panama route in 1858, and remained four years, then returned to Califor- 
nia, and lived there until 1864. He died at the home of his sister, Mrs. 
Furlong, in 1870, on Old Man's creek in York township. He was uni- 
versally respected by all who knew him. Mr. Jones established a law of 
borrowing, and it was approved by Thomas Hansen, May 7, 1845. It 
was this: all property in their neighborhood should be considered public 
property, and people in their settlement must loan anything they had, and 
never carry back anything you borrow. A part of this settlement in 
which this law prevailed was on Old Man's creek in Washington town- 
ship in Johnson county. 

WILLIAM JAYNE, was born January 26, 1802 in Sussex county, 
New Jersey; died March 30, 1880. He came to Johnson county, Iowa, in 
1840, and settled in Graham township, and secured 1100 acres of land. 
He was married September 4, 1824, to Miss Maria Perry. They have 
nine children, three sons and six daughters. Mr. Jayne's father was the 
Rev. Ebenezer Jayne, a Baptist clergyman and a lieutenant in the revo- 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 855 

lutionary war. He was quite an able writer on religious topics, and 
some of his works are still preserved in the family. His father was 
William Jayne, also a Baptist clerejyman, and was born in Bristol, 
England, in 1622, and fled from religious persecution to this country 
and settled in Long Island, New York, in 1682. There wer four- 
teen children in Ebenezer Jayne's family. William was the eleventh 
and the next younger than the late Dr. D. Jayne, of Philadelphia. Early 
in life William learned the trade of carpenter, and took several contracts 
on public works. He assisted in building the second railroad in the 
United States. He removed to the west in 1836, and had a contract in 
the construction of the Illinois Southern railroad. From Illinois he came 
to this county in 1840, settling on a farm near where he continued to live 
for twenty-five years, since which time he has lived in this city up to the 
day of his death. Mr. Jayne was a man of strong and sterling character, 
and of large intelligence. He was a great reader, a thorough student of 
history, and well informed on all general topics. In early days he was 
a whig, and immediately on its organization joined the free-soil party, and 
was one of the first organizers of that liberty-loving old party in this 
county. 

JOSEPH KARBULKA, a farmer, residing in Monroe township, post- 
office Danforth; was born January 8, 1822, in Austria; came to America 
in 1864, landed in New York City, and the same year settled upon the 
farm upon which he now resides. He was married July 18, 1844, to Miss 
Theresa Novtuy. They have three children: John, Josephine and 
Anna. The family are members of the Catholic Church. He is a demo- 
crat in politics, and voted against the prohibitory constitutional amend- 
ment. He is a quiet, hard working, honest man, a trait characteristic of 
the Bohemian people. 

JACOB KEIM, a resident of Iowa City, and the proprietor of the new 
Boston bakery, on Dubuque street; came to America in 1857, and to Iowa 
City in 1869. He was married in March, 1868, to Miss Elizabeth Fisher, 
of Germany. They have five children: Jacob, Mary F., Frederick W., 
Peter and Margaret. He is a democrat in politics. 

MICHAEL KELLEY, a farmer and resident of West Lucas town- 
ship; post-office Iowa City; was born August 29, 1825, in Kings county, 
Ireland; came to America and landed in New York, April 1, 1852, and 
settled in Iowa, Aug. 17, 1856, and engaged in farming. He was mar- 
ried in Cincinnati, Ohio, Aug. 15, 1856, to Miss Helen Maloy. They 
have no children. 

AMOS KEELER, farmer, post-office Lone Tree; was born in Sum- 
merset county, Pa., June 10, 1840. When ten years of age he went to 
Ohio with his father, where he spent his early life until he was twenty- 
two years of age. He then emigrated to Johnson county, Iowa, in 1862, 



856 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

where he has since resided, and now owns 120 acres of fine land, which he 
has improved from wild prairie. He was married Dec. 15, 1863, to Mrs. 
Catharine Henry, formerly Miss Swink. They have four children, viz: 
Mary J., Theodore, Amos, and Benjamin. Mr. Keeler and wife are 
members of the Baptist Church. 

REV. FERGUS L. KEN YON, the present minister of the Congrega- 
tional Church of Iowa City; was born December 4, 1835, in the parish of 
Sobly, Wigton Shire, Scotland. He graduated at Princeton College, 
New Jersey, in 1859, and was tutor of Greek in that college for two and 
one-half years; studied theology at Princeton Seminary, and graduated in 
1864. He was married in April, 1865, to is> H ittii A. Squire, of Graften, 
Ohio. He had charge of a congregation in East Orange, New Jersey, 
and then in Elyria, Ohio, and labored in St. Joseph, Missouri, and in Sep- 
tem ber, 1878, took charge of the Congregational Church in Iowa City. 

FRANK S. KESSLER. farmer, post-office, Solon ; was born in Musk- 
inghum county, Ohio, March 3, 1846, and came to Iowa with his father, 
Fidel, in 1852; he has followed farming, and now owns 133 acres of well 
improved land. He was married September 14, 1872, to Mrs. Mary A. 
Stiles, nee Hoffman, a native of Germany. This union has been blessed 
with ^three children: Mary E., Harvey and Rolland R. Sabinas Stiles, 
Mrs. Kessler's first husband, was born in New York State, and was a son 
of Warner Stiles, who came to Johnson county in 1839, and married Mary 
A. Hoffman, November 23, 1854; he dying April 15, 1868, leaving five 
children: Laura A., now Mrs. Taylor; Sarah E., now Mrs. Corrigan; 
George L., Emma A., and Cora I. 

FIDEL KESSLER, farmer, post-office, Solon; was born in Germany, 
March 26, 1818, and there learned the cabinet-maker trade, and emigrated 
to America in September, 1834, and lived in Muskinghum county, Ohio, 
until the fall of 1850, when he came to Iowa and settled in Big Grove 
township, where he has improved a farm of 125 acres. He was married 
February 25, 1845, to Mary Corns, a native of Ohio. This union has been 
blessed with eleven children: Frances and Nicholas F., (twins) Louisa C, 
William, Mary J., Edwin, Alice, Caroline, Mary, Charlie and Maggie, 
also twins. Mr. Kessler is a member of the Catholic Church. 

GEORGE W. KETTLEWELL, a resident of Iowa City, a black- 
smith doing business on East Washington street. Was born December 
30, 1821, in Washmgton counly, Penns3'lvania; came to Iowa City Sep- 
tember 5, 1856, and has been engaged at his trade since. He was mar- 
ried January 23, 1852, to Miss Hannah Jackson, of Warren, Ohio; she 
was born in Yorkshire, England. This union is blessed with six children: 
William A., Alice, Charles, George W., Eva., Eda, and an adopted 
daughter, Ida K. Haines, a sister's child, is a member of his family. He 
is a member of the M. E. Church of Iowa City; a member of the I. O. O. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 857 

F. societies of Iowa City, and among the oldest members of that order. 
He is a democrat in politics, and has held several offices of honor, profit and 
trust at the hands of his party; he has served as member of the school 
board of Iowa City, and in the city council, in 1863, as a member from the 
third ward. 

PETER KETTLES, farmer, Wasliington township, post-office Frank 
Pierce. Was born in Germany, April 29, 1839; came to America in 
May, 1858; landed in New York City. Settled in Johnson county, Iowa, 
in June, 1858, and worked in Sharon township. He enHsted in the First 
Wisconsin Infantry for three months, April 16, 186] ; and August 23, 
1861, enlisted in the Fourth Missouri Cavalry, and was discharged in 
November, 1865. He enHsted as a private, and was promoted from pri- 
vate along the grades of office from corporal to first lieutenant, in June 1863, 
holding all the non-commission oflicers' ranks. He was married March 
19, 1867, to Miss Rebecca Oldacker. They have one child, Fredrick, 
born April 20th, 1868. Mr. Kettles is a republican in politics; has held 
the office of township clerk for two years, and has been re-elected. 

ADAM KNIESE, a well-to-do farmer, residing in Scott county, post- 
office West Branch. Was born October 30, 1830, at Knehrohesser, 
Germany. He came to America in 1853; settled in Johnson county in 
1868. He came here a poor man, and by economy and industry now owns 
212 acres of land and is worth $10,000, and enjoys life. He is one of 
Scott township's successful farmers. He was married March 5, 1855, 
to Miss Katharine Hecke, of Germany. He is a democrat in politics, and 
voted against the prohibitory constitutional amendment; he is a member 
of the German Reformed Church. 

JACOB KOENIG, a farmer residing in Liberty township, post-office, 
Bon Accord. Was born in Germany, August 24, 1834; came to Amer- 
ica in 1855, and settled in Iowa Cit}'^ in 1858, and bought the farm upon 
which he now resides in 1862. He was married July 4, 1862, to Miss 
Mary Fisher, of Iowa City. They have seven children: Gotlieb, Fritz, 
John, George, Frank, Mary and Louisa. He is a democrat in politics, 
and voted against the amendment. 

J. F. KOLER, pubHsher Reaper^ Solon: was born in Austria, Nov. 
7, 1856, and emigrated to America with his parents in 1862, and settled in 
Iowa City and commenced the printers trade in August, 1874, on the Iowa 
City Republican ; in 1878 he went to Marengo for a period of two years, 
then to Council BlufTs. In April, 1880, he was married to Miss HattieLe- 
Grange, of Pleasant Valley township, Scott county, at Davenport; lived 
in Council Blufis a short time, then went over to Omaha and worked in 
the Herald job rooms; in June, 1881, went to Des Moines and engaged 
with the State yournal Printing Company, from there to Reinbeck and 
dited t he Reinbeck Times in company with another man; as he did not 



858 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

like the partnership, only remained there a few months. He then came 
to Solon and engaged in the publication of the Solon Reader. The first 
number made its appearance July 28, 1882, just when there was a great 
demand for Readers. The farmers now all have the Reaper once a week, 
sunshine or rain, cold or warm, throughout the year. The Reaper is 
well patronized and is a staying stone for the future in Solon. 

PAUL A. KORAB, farmer and teacher, Jefferson township, post- 
office, Shueyville; was born on the 30th day of July, 1857, in Linn county, 
Iowa; is the son of Paul and Catharine Korab, who were born in Bohemia. 
In 1854 they left the old country for America, and landed in Iowa on the 
10th day of August, and settled in Linn county, where they purchased 
land and resided until 1866, when he sold his land there and purchased 
140 acres in this county in sections 9 and 16, where he lived up to his 
death, which occurred on February 3, 1879. He had two children: 
Josephine, married to Wesley Yanish, February 21, 1882, and Paul A., 
the subject of this sketch, who was raised on his father's farm, and now 
resides with his mother on the home place. He received his education at 
Western College, having attended four terms, aside from common schools; 
has taught five terms of school in his township, and is one of the present 
trustees. He is quite a young man, and has a promising [future before 
him. There is at present an old gentleman living with him named Joseph 
Jacobetz, 82 years old, said to be the oldest man in the township. 

ALEXANDER KOSER, farmer and stock dealer; is a native of 
Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, where he was born Sept. 27, 1820, 
where he lived until 1848, he then went to Harrisburg, where he followed 
butchering and buying and selling stock until 1870, he then emigrated to 
Johnson county, and settled at Coralville, and now owns 470 acres of land 
and deals in stock. He has been married twice; first Februar}' 2, 1841, 
to Miss Hettie A. Atchley, she dying April 24, 1865; and the second time, 
June 15, 1869, to Mrs. Caroline Hart, her maiden name being Gould. 
There were seven children by the first marriage, viz: Mary, Elizabeth, 
Susan, Agnes, John, Charlie, and Dolly; and by the last marriage there 
are, Edward, Alexander, Carrie, Iowa, Minnie, Hayes, Filey and Manley. 
He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and also of the I. O. O. F. 

JOHN KRAUS, a resident of Iowa City; born May 7, 1829, in Will- 
iamsburg, New York; settled in Iowa City in 1865. He lived in Wilks- 
barre, Luzerne count}'^, Pennsylvania, before he came to Johnson county, 
was engaged in farming, and farmed a while in this county, and now 
keeps the Sunny Side barber shop, on Iowa avenue, east of the post- 
office. He is a democrat in politics, and voted against the prohibitory 
constitutional amendment. 

JACOB KRAMER, of Iowa City, in the boot and shoe business. No. 
24, Dubuque street; was born Sept. 4, 1833, in Bavaria. Came to 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 859 

America in 1852, landed in New York and settled in Iowa City in June, 
1856. He learned the shoe maker's trade in Germany and has worked at 
his trade thirty-six years. He was married March 20, 1858, to Miss 
Scheilling of Iowa City. The\^ have six children: Wilhelmina, wife of 
William Kue;JohnC., Emma E., wife of William Hauke; Christopher 
G., William F. and Jacob S. The familv are members of the Lutheran 
Church. A member of the German Lodge No. 185, A. O. U. W. 

EDWARD LANNING, a farmer residing in Lucas township, post- 
office, Iowa City; was torn May 7, 1815, at Johnsonsburg, New Jersey, 
left there in 1835 and finally settled in Johnson county, in 1840. He was 
married January 14, 1844, to Miss Mary Johnson. They have had the 
following named children: Zoe, born 1847; Mollie Jane, born 1848, wife 
of Charles Fairall; Edward, born 185'J; Harry, born 1854; Samuel, born 
1856; Elizabeth, born, 1860; Orinda, born 1844, and died in 1860; John, 
born 1845, and died, James born in 1858, and died in 1861. He was one 
of the first aldermen of Iowa City. 

F, H. LANE, farmer and grain buyer, post-office, Lone Tree; was 
born in Cedar county, Iowa, September 1, 1857, and is a son of William 
Lane, of West Liberty. He attended the Eastern Iowa College, and com- 
menced teaching school in 1878, and taught three terms. In 1878 he in 
partnership with his brother, H.C. Lane, under the firm name of Lane 
Brothers, commenced buying and shipping grain and stock at Lone Tree, 
which they still follow and are doing a flourishing business, running the 
elevator there and buying all the grain at that point. He was married 
February 22, 1882, to Miss Sadie Jean, a native of Muscatine county. . 

H. C. LANE, live stock and grain dealer, post-office. Lone Tree; was 
born in Cedar county, Iowa, July 18, 1854, and is a son of W. S. Lane, of 
West Liberty. He attended the high school at West Liberty, also the 
Eastern Iowa Normal at Grandview and taught school six terms, teaching 
the high school of Nichols in the winter of 1877-78. In April, 1878, he 
came to Lone Tree and commenced the business he is now engaged in, in 
partnership with his brother, F. H. Lane, under the firm name of Lane 
Bros. They also own a farm of 160 acres near town; they are doing a 
flourishing business, and enjoy the respect of all who have had dealings 
with them; they also deal in farm mashinery. H. C. was married May 
18, 1881, to Miss Mary Tantlinger, a native of this county. They have 
one daughter: Bertha Belle. Mr. and Mrs. Lane are numbers of the M. 
E. Church, and he is a member of the I. O. O. F. 

D. M. LANGDON, farmer, post-office, Solon ; was born in Trumbull 
county, Ohio, March 21, 1844, and emigrated to Iowa with his parents, 
Luther and Sally Langdon, in February, 1855, and settled in Big Grove 
township, Johnson county. Here the subject of this sketch has since 
resided, and followed the occupation of a farmer and stock-raiser, and owns 



860 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

188 acres of land. He was married January 28, 1868, to Miss M. A. 
Stream, a native of Licking county, Ohio, and came to this county in 1855. 
She is a daughter of Elias Stream, who died February 18, 1863. They 
have no children. 

H. W. LATHROP, a farmer, fruit grower and stock raiser of Lucas 
township, post-office Iowa City; was born Oct. 28, 1819, in Hawley, Mass. 
His parents moved to and settled in New York State in 1821, and he set- 
tled in Iowa City, Johnson county, in May, 1847. Has held several offices 
of honor, profit and trust; has been a member of the city council, mayor 
of the city, county superintendent of public schools, a member of the board 
of regents and treasurer of the State University. He was married April, 
1847, to Miss Mary Welton. They have had five children, three of whom 
are still living: Willard A., George Fred, Zeph Welton (deceased), Mag- 
gie A., wife of Frank F. Luse, married in December, 1879, and died of 
consumption four months after marriage, and Minnie E. Mr Lathrop 
was editor and one of the publishers of the Iowa City Republican during 
the years 1854 and 1855, and editor during a portion of the year 1858. 
He was for two years president of the State Horticultural Society, and is 
now one of its directors; he is now, and has been for several years, secre- 
tary of the Eastern Iowa Horticultural Society. In fruit growing, he 
makes a specialty of grapes and apples, and in stock raising of Short-horn 
cattle. Imp. Grand Duke of Kirklevington 2d, and Peri Sharon, are the 
bulls in use at the head of his herd. 

HERMAN LAUFER, a resident of Iowa City, and doing business on 
College street; was born Sept. 12, 1839, at Hersfeld, Hesse Cassel, Ger- 
many. Came to America in October 1853, and landed in New York City, 
and came to Iowa in 1857, and finally settled in Iowa City in 1871, and 
opened a saddle and harness shop. He was married Nov. 26, 1871, to 
Miss Matilda Feasler, of Iowa City. They have two children, Frank and 
Olive. He is a republican in politics. 

J. WALTER LEE, a resident of Iowa City, and junior oartner in the 
firm of Hohenschup, Cree & Lee; was born January 29, 1842, in Green 
county. Ills. Came to Iowa City in 1844. He was married January 1, 
1868, to Miss May Parvm, daughter of Prof. T. S. Parvin. They have 
four children: Roy P., Arthur P., died in September, 1878, Leslie P. and 
Walter P. He was a faithful soldier in compan}^ F., 22d regiment Iowa 
volunteer infantr}', enlisted Aug. 26, 1862; promoted to quartermaster 
sergeant, Oct. 1, 1862, and served to the close of the war. He is a mem- 
ber of the First Presbyterian Church at Iowa Citv, also a member of the 
Masonic bodies, A. O. U. W. and L. of H.of Iowa City. A republican in 
politics. He served in the city council two years, elected in 1876. 

A. W. LEONARD, grocer and railroad agent, post-office. Lone Tree; 
was born in Mahoming county, Ohio, July 14, 1834, where he spent his 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 861 

early life and got a common school education. At the age of sixteen he 
went to learn the carpenter and joiner trade, and worked for one man 
seven years, and in 1856 came to Fremont township, Johnson county, and 
bought forty acres of land and improved it, and afterward bought eighty 
acres more; this, at that time was Pleasant Valley township; he has since 
lived here, with the exception of three years he lived at West Liberty, 
from 1869 to '72, where he followed contracting. He then returned to 
this place, and in the fall of 1872 he commenced in the lumber and grocery 
business, and afterward added dry goods to his grocery stock, and in May, 
1874, he began work for the B., C. R. & N. R.R., as their agent, at Lone 
Tree, which position he has since held; he also is express agent and buys 
grain and sells coal, and has been postmaster since the fall of 1876, and is 
now serving his third year as notary public. He was married March 12, 
18.57, to Miss Louisa A. Hazen; she dying August 20, 1874, he was 
again married May 6, 1875, to Miss Sarah F. Nelson, a native of Iowa. 
There were no children by first marriage, but three by the last, viz: 
Louisa May, born April 13, 1877; Jane Alma, born June 26, 1879, and 
Nona Belle, born May 21, 1881. Mr. Leonard and wife are members of 
the Methodist Church. 

VICTOR BARTA LETOVSKY, a farmer and brewer, residing in 
Jefferson township, post-office, Shueyville; was born September 1, 1824, in 
Moravia, Europe; came to America January 1, 1854, and settled in Johnson 
county the same year, traveling from Racine, Wisconsin, to Jefferson 
township bv wagon and team. He built the brewer}- where he now 
resides, on section 13 in Jefferson township, in 1862; he quit brewing 
when the revenue laws went into effect, and then he rented the brewery, 
and finally the business suspended in 1874. He was married in February, 
1865, to Miss Josephine Makovsky ; by this wife he had one child, now six- 
teen years of age, a boy; his wife died in October, 1874, and he was mar- 
ried again Jan. 24, 1875, to Miss Katharine Trunech. This union is blessed 
with three children: Bohumil, Victor B. and Justia. He is a democrat in 
politics, and voted against the prohibitory amendment. The capacity of 
his brewery is about eight barrels per day; things are out of repair and he 
never expects to startup the brewery again. He has a stone quarry on his 
land that has been open about twenty years; it is on a small stream that has 
its source in Shueyville, and it is commonly called "Skunk's Run." There 
are two fine springs near the brewery. He burned Hme on his place in 
1864; it is limestone rock, and evidences of coal are found in several 
places. 

CHAS. LEWIS, a grain dealer in Iowa City, on Capitol street. Was 
born- November 25, 1832, in Oneida county. New York; settled in Iowa 
in 1862. He engaged in the grain business in 1872; prior to that time 
was in the grocery with the firm of Lewis Bros.; he buys all kind of 
grain and seeds. He was married October 25, 1859, to Miss Elizabeth 



8G2 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Griffith, of Racine, Wisconsin. Tliey have live children: LilUe E., Lydia 
H., Kittie M., Minnie and Roscoe E. He has held several public 
offices; was member of city council, member of school board, three terms 
of three years each; trustee of the township for five years. He is a repub- 
lican in politics. In 1879 he shipped 98,541 bushels of grain; in 1880, 
98,000 bushels; in 1881, 99,820 bushels; in 1882, 70,000 bushels. The 
crops of Johnson county were short in 1881 and 1882. 

JOHN B. LETOVSKY, a resident of Iowa City, and one of the 
proprietors of the Bohemian paper, Slovan Americky. Was born Decem- 
ber 26, 1821, in Moravia. He was married February 4, 1845, to Miss 
Jenny Mrakota, of Moravia. This union is blessed with seven living chil- 
dren: John B., Stojslav, Libb}', Jenny, Bohumil, Miroslav and Stanislav. 
He came to America and landed in Boston, January 4, 1854, being eighty 
days at sea, most of the time in a storm. He went to Racine, Wisconsin, 
that winter, and in the spring took his family in an ox team and moved to 
Iowa; was fourteen days on the way to Cedar Rapids. He settled in 
Jefferson township in the fall of 1854, and farmed until 1859, when he 
went to Racine, Wisconsin, and started the Slovan Amerikansky, and 
edited and published that paper until 1861, when he was sent by the 
Russian government to Amour, where he was gone eighteen months, and 
returned in 1862; his mission being to make a report on the feasibility of 
settling the province with his nationality for agricultural purposes. He 
came to Iowa City in 1869, and in company withj. P. Pisha started the Slo- 
van Americky, the only Bohemian paper published in Iowa. Three of his 
sons, J. M. B., B. B. and S. B., bought out Mr. Pisha's interest, and the 
paper is owned and published by John B. Letovsky & Sons, with John 
M. B. Letovsky as editor. Mr. B. is quite a good writer, and the paper 
is highly esteemed by the Bohemian people. 

J. M. B. LETOVSKY, a resident of Iowa City, an editor and one of the 
•proprietors of the Slovan Americky, a Bohemian paper, published in 
Iowa City, in the Bohemian language. Was born December 15, 1845, in 
Moravia; came to America with his parents and landed in Boston, Janu- 
ary 1, 1853, 1 hence to Racine, Wisconsin, and in the spring of 1853 came 
with his parents to Jefferson township, Johnson county, Iowa; and in 
1859 went to Racine, and in 1869 he came to Iowa City, and worked 
upon the Bohemian paper started by his father and Joseph P. Pisha, 
and finally bought an interest in the paper that he had successfully edited. 
He was married August 30, 1869, to Miss Mary Lenoch, of Monroe twp. 
This union is blessed with one child living, John B. Mr. L. is a democrat in 
politics, and has alwa3^s taken an active part in the welfare of his party, 
especially among his nationality. He has held several offices in the city; 
at present a member of the Iowa City school board, and a member of the 
city council for six years. His paper is one of the official organs of John- 
son county, and the only Bohemian paper in the State of Iowa. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. S6'S 

M. LEVY, a resident of Iowa City, and proprietor of the St. James res- 
taurant; was born September 19, 1837, in Strausburg Alsace, France. 
He was married November 15, 1863, to Miss Pauline Jonas of Peufelt, 
Alsace, France. They have one child, Ferdinand, now a young man of 
promise. Mr. Levy came to America in 1871, was one of the unfortunate 
victims of the Chicago fire. He came to Iowa City after the fire and by 
the assistance of the Hon. M. Bloom, whose hand is always open as a 
melting day with charity, and a heart as warm as a mother's love with 
sympathy for suffering and afflicted humanity, he soon found employ- 
ment and support for himself and family. He is a member of the German 
lodge of the I. O. O. F. of Iowa City, and of the German lodge A. O. U. 
W. of Iowa City. He has secured a host of good friends by his gentle- 
manly and courteous treatment of his patrons, and a better place for 
refreshments cannot be found in Iowa City. 

AUGUST LENZ, a resident of Iowa City, a stone and brick mason; 
was born in Germany in 1824. He served six years in the German army, 
and then came to America, and settled in Johnson county, in Iowa City, 
in 1857, having lived five years in New Jersey and two years in Philadel- 
phia. He was married in 1853 to Miss Caroline Haganbucker, a native 
of Baden, Germany. They have six children: x\nnie, Daniel, Sophia, 
August, Lizzie, and Carrie. He is a member of the German lodge No. 
129, I. O. O. F., Iowa City; has been a member since 1853 in good stand- 
ing. He speaks the English, German, and Bohemian languages. He has 
the contract for putting in the foundation for the stand pipe and reservoir 
for the water-works of Iowa City. 

JOHN LENZ, a farmer and stock-raiser, Lincoln township, post- 
office, Lone Tree; was born in Germany May 24, 1844; came to America 
in 1857; landed in New York City; settled in Iowa in 1862. He 
was married in February, 1870, to Miss Katharine Frank of Muscatine 
county, Iowa. They have four boys and two girls: George, Peter, Fred 
Bernhardt, Mary, and Katharine. Mr. Lenz is a democrat in politics, and 
with his family attends the Lutheran Church at Lone Tree. He voted 
against the prohibitory constitutional amendment. He haj held the office 
of road supervisor for a number of years. 

ANTONE LINDER. The subject of this sketch was born Aug. 12, 
1823, in Prussia; came to America, Oct. 14, 1849. Settled in Iowa City 
in 1852. He was married in 1852, in Iowa City, to Miss Catharine Hieder 
They have a family of the following children: Carl, born Sept. 21, 1855; 
Bertha, born Oct. 12, 1857; Mary, born Sept. 21, 1859; Willie, born Oct. 
12, 1861; Albert, born Oct. 3, 1865; Katie, born Nov. 15, 1867; Emma, 
born April 27, 1869; Leo, born June 11, 1877, and died Feb. 29, 1882. 

JOEL LIGHTNER, a resident of Iowa City and a dr}- goods merchant 
doing business on the corner of Clinton and Washington streets, first door 



S64 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

south of the Johnson County Savings Bank; was born Feb. 8, 1840, in 
Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He came to Iowa and settled in Iowa City, in 
1866. His business house is one of the best in Iowa City for dry goods, 
motions, carpets, etc. He was jmarried Oct. 12, 1869, to Miss Emma 
E. Johnson, daughter of Rolla Johnson of Tiffin, Iowa. They have one 
child, Maud. He was a soldier in the Federal army serving in a Pennsyl- 
vania regiment at the time when the Confederates attempted to live oft' of 
Pennsylvania. He is an independent in politics. A member of the 
Masonic fraternity and the A. O. U. W., of Iowa City. He is secretary 
of the Johnson County Agricultural Society, a member of the Board of 
Trade of Iowa City and a member of the Episcopal Church of Iowa Cit}'^. 

JACOB LININGER, minister of the Church of God. The 
subject of this sketch was born on the 26th day of February, 1817, in Cum- 
berland county, Pennsylvania. His father, Conrad Lininger, died when 
Jacob was onlv three years old. At the age of fifteen he worked for his 
board and went to school three months, which was all the schooling he ever 
had. He then worked by the day and month until 1833, went to Mechan- 
icsburg to learn blacksmithing; the smoke of the coal so aftected him that 
he quit. Then went to his brother's and remained with him until the 
28th day of March, 1835, when he was married to Miss Elizabeth Moni- 
smith of Cumberland county. To them were born eleven children, nine are 
still living: John, Sarah, Jacob, David, Samuel, Rebecca, Henry, Joseph 
and Martin. In 1840 he went to Blair county, and from then until 1849 
he preached in that county, Huntington and Bedford. From there he 
came to Iowa and settled in Johnson county. When he arrived here he 
had thirty dollars all told, entered a piece of land, paid that much on it. 
That winter he made twelve thousand fence rails and stakes to pay bal- 
ance. In 1853 he moved to his land. He was then given by the elder- 
ship of the Church of God, charge of seven counties, preaching eighteen 
times in three weeks. Followed his calling for a few years. And then 
went to farming and preaching as a local preacher. On the 11th day of 
May, 1879, his wife died. On the 26th day of February, 1880, he was 
again married to Mrs. Elizabeth Doner. After his marriage he sold his 
land to Jacob, Jr., and Joseph his sons. And he now resides in Penn 
township. 

MARTIN E. LININGER, farmer, post-office, ^North Liberty; was 
born in this county July 17, 1855; is the son of Elder Jacob Lininger, and 
was raised on a farm. On the 11th day of October, 1877, he was married 
to Miss Susan J. Anderson, daughter of John A. Anderson, deceased, of 
this county. They have one child, Orville P., born October 25, 1881. 
He owns 120 acrces of well improved land in section 15, and 18 acres of 
timber; he follows farming and stock-raising. Mr. Lininger is a member 
of the Church of God; is a republican in politics and voted for the amend- 
ment, and is a member of White Marble Lodge, No. 238, A. F. and A. M. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 865 

J. W. LOAN, farmer, livin<^ in Pleasant Valley, post-office, Iowa City; 
was born February 25, 1S52, in the state of Michigan; came to Iowa 
City in 1855, and engaged in farming and has followed that occupation 
since. He was married September 22, 1872, to Miss Susie Brown, of 
Iowa City. They have three children: Berthie W., Lewie W., and 
Delia. Mr. Loan is a republican in politics and is a quiet and industrious 
citizen, highly respected by all who know him. 

CHARLES M. LODGE, a resident of Iowa City; was born January 
24, 1847, in New Lisbon, Ohio; came to Iowa in October, 1856, enlisted 
in May, 1862, in company K, 22d regiment Iowa volunteer infantr}'^, as a 
drummer boy, and served during the war, was with his regiment in every 
engagement. He was married May 5, 1878, to Miss Angle V. Hill, of 
Iowa City; they have two children: Olive E. and Roland C. A republi- 
can in politics, was the republican candidate for county clerk in 1876 and 
1878, but unsuccessful. He is now in the U. S. railway mail service. 

PETER LONG, a farmer, residing in Penn township, post-office, 
North Liberty; was born January 15, 1820, in Blair county, Pennsyl- 
vania; settled in Johnson county in October, 1850, and bought the farm 
upon which he now resides. He was married in February 1845, to Miss 
Sarah Hopkins, of Blair county, Pennsylvania. They have five children: 
Margaret Jane, Mary Ann, Luther, Joseph, Emma F. Is a republican in 
politics; has held the offices of township trustee and member school 
board. He is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. 

SAMUEL LORD, a resident of Scott township, in section 17; post- 
office Iowa City; was born in Hancock county, Maine, September 1, 
1826, and is by occupation a farmer and stock raiser. He went to Cali- 
fornia in 1850, and remained there about two years; he then returned to 
his native state, and engaged in the lumber business. In 1857 he went to 
the Province of New Brunswick, and was there engaged in the lumber 
business until 1860, when he returned to his native state and resided until 
he settled in this county in 1870; since that time he has been engaged in 
farming and stock raising. He was married in 1855 to Miss Emma 
Smith, of Maine. They have two children: Annie and Frank, the 
daughter graduated at the high school at Iowa City 1880. 

CHAUNCEY F. LOVELACE, architect and builder, Iowa City; was 
born June 23, 1828, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is of Welch origin ; his ances- 
ters immigrated to America early in the last century. At sixteen years 
of age he was apprenticed to Andrew Clyde a draughtsman and house 
builder of Cincinnati, and after three years, faithful serving, he immigrated 
to Iowa City and engaged at his trade. He has drawn the plans for 
many public buildings, including the New State University building; the 
J'ohnson county court house, the college for the blind at Vinton, etc. He 
was married in 1851, to Miss Sarah L. Clark of New Jersey. He is a 



866 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

republican in politics. In 1862 he enlisted in the 22d Iowa Infantry and 
was made 1st lieutenant and assistent quartermaster, in which capacity he 
served until the fall of Vicksburg, when he resigned on account of sick- 
ness in his famil3\ He re-enlisted in 1864, and was made commissar}^ of 
subsistence with the rank of captain in the army of the Cumberland, head 
quarters at Nashville; he served until January, 1866, then 'returned to Iowa 
City. He is one of the stockholders and directors of the Johnson county 
Savings Bank. 

ALEXANDER LOVE, farmer, post-office Iowa City; was born in 
Coshockton county, Ohio, July 8,1848. Settled in Iowa City in June, 1854. 
Was married April 20, 1875, to Miss Mary Jane O'Neil. She was born 
in Providence, R. 1., May 2, 1851, and came to Johnson county with her 
parents when about six years of age. They have two children, Annie 
Maud, born February 4, 1876, and Mabel, born December 16, 1878. Mr. 
Love lives on section 27. In politics he is a republican. 

CHAS. A. LUCAS, a farmer and stock raiser, residing on section 33 
Graham township; post-office address Oasis; was born in 1836, in Belgium, 
a son of John B. and Mary Lucas, of Lucas township. Came to Amer- 
ica in July, 1859, and settled in Graham township. He was married in 
1867, to Miss Mary Bowyer, daughter of Chas. and Mary Bowyer, of 
Loraine, France. They have four children, two boys and two girls. He 
was a faithful soldier in the late civil war, enlisting Aug. 16, 1862, and 
served until the close of the war. Dec. 16, 1862, he was commissioned 
2d lieutenant compan}' D, 24th regiment Iowa volunteer infantry; Sept. 5, 
1864, promoted to 1st lieutenant, and Nov. 2, 1864, was made captain. 
He was not without experience in the military line. He served five years 
in the Belgiam army as sergeant major. 

EDWARD K. Ll^CAS, a resident of Iowa City; was born Aug. 14, 
1855, in Iowa City, son of the Hon. E. W. Lucas. He graduated from 
the law department of the State University of Iowa in the class of 1877, 
and began the practice of law in Iowa City in partnership with his brother 
Robert. He was secretary of the Johnson County Agricultural and 
Mechanical Society in 1880 and 1881. He is a democrat in politics, and 
always takes an active part in the interests of the party. He is spoken of 
as a candidate for mayor of Iowa City for 1883, on the democratic ticket. 

HON. E. W. LUCAS, a farmer and the present representative in the 
Iowa Legislature from Johnson county, and a son of Governor Lucas, first 
territorial Governor of Iowa; was born September 13, 1825, in Pike 
county, Ohio. He first came to Johnson county in 1840; he was married 
September 29, 1852, to Miss Phoebe A. Clark, at Des Moines, Iowa, a sister 
of the Hon. E. Clark, of Iowa City. This union is blessed with three 
children, living: Robert, Edward K., and Clark S. He was a soldier in 
the late civil war as Lieutenant Colonel of the Fourteenth Regiment Iowa 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 867 

Volunteer Infantry, commissioned October 80, 1861, and was taken pris- 
oner at the battle of Shiloh, Tennessee, April 6, 1862, and was paroled 
from Libby prison, October 13, 1862; he entered the service again after 
he was exchanged, and resigned in 1863 to organize a cavalry regiment, 
but Iowa's quote of cavalry was full. He was postmaster of Iowa City 
for twenty-five months; appointed under Johnson administration in April, 
1867, and was removed by U. S. Grant in May, 1869. A democrat in 
politics, and was elected a member of the legislature of Iowa from Johnson 
county, and served in the General Assembly of 1881-82. He was one ot 
the original members of the first agricultural society of Johnson count}^ 
and was its president at one time; he takes a great deal of interest in fine 
stock ; has now fifteen head of fine horses, forty-five or fifty head of fine 
Short-horn cattle. He has a fine orchard of about four hundred trees and 
all kinds of small fruits. He is a member of the Iowa State Improved 
Stock Breeders Association; he is a member of the Masonic bodies of 
Iowa City. 

JUDGE Z. C. LUSE, of the Iowa City 'Bus Line; was born in Mercer 
county, Pennsj'lvania, January 23, 1826. A republican in politics. He 
was married March 9, 1852, to Miss Jane A. Henry, of Crawford county, 
Pennsylvania. He came to Iowa City in 1855, where he has made his 
home continually; he was appointed county judge in 1864, b}^ a demo- 
cratic board of supervisors to fill the vacancy occasioned by Judge Wil- 
liams' resignation, to enter the army during the time he was count}^ judge; 
the county recorder, who was also county treasurer, died, and the judge 
attended to the duties of both those office for quite a while, until his health 
failed; the judge enjoyed quite an extensive law practice; he was city 
solicitor during the same time he was county judge; he refused a nomina- 
tion for judge from the hands of the Republican party, because of exten- 
sive office business. He became a Mason in 1858, and is a member of 
all the Masonic bodies in Iowa City in 1858 was elected Grand Junior 
Warden, was Grand Treasurer in 1864 of the Grand Lodge of Iowa, and 
was elected Grand Master in 1877; he is Past Grand High Priest of the 
Grand Chapter of Iowa, and the owner of a choice Masonic library of 
many years accumulation. In 1869 he made a trip to the Pacific coast; he 
returned much improved in health, and in 1873 ,he, 'and his son Frank 
engaged in raising fine stock; he was president of Iowa Improved Stock 
Breeders Association in 1881. 

M. R. LUSE; was born November 8, 1835, in West Greenville, Mer- 
cer county, Pennsylvania; settled in Johnson county, August 26, 1858, 
and engaged in the auction and commission business m Iowa City the 
same year. He was married May 29, 1861, to Miss Sada V. Mahana; they 
had two children: Miller M. and Ida, both dead; his wife is a daughter of 
Capt. B. Mahana, who raised the first company of infantry, called the 
Washington Guards, and tendered the service of his company to Gov. 



868 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Kirk wood. Mr. Luse was first lieutenant of that company; they did ser- 
vice at Fort Randall, Dakota territor}^; they left Iowa City November 1, 
1861, and marched to Fort Randall. In 1862 he came to Iowa City, got 
his family and spent the summer at Fort Randall; the winter of 1863-64. 
Captain B. Mahana commanded Fort Peri with sixty-five men, and first 
Lieutenant M. R. Luse commanded Fort LeCrombie, with thirty-six 
men; he was mustered out of service November 30, 1864; he was in the 
Sully expedition to the Yellowstone. Mr. and Mrs. Luse are members 
of the M. E. Church of Iowa City, and is a member of the Masonic 
Lodges of Iowa City, the A. O. U. W., Iowa City Lodge, No. 4, and the 
Legion of Honor, and is a republican in politics. 

STEPHEN LUSE, farmer, post-office, Oxford; was born in Butler 
county, Pennsylvania, March 4, 1823, and remained there until 1851, and 
was engaged in farming. He then came to Iowa and staid a few months; 
then went to California, and lived on the Pacific coast twelve years, and 
was engaged in mining. He then returned to Oxford and purchased 
land and has since paid his attention to farming and raising stock, and 
now owns 600 acres of land. He was married November 7, 1878, to 
Margaret E. Kepford, a native of Pennsylvania, but came to Iowa when 
young. She is a daughter of John Kepford of North Bend. They have 
two children, viz: Ralph K. and Clara V. 

CHRISTOPHER LUTHER, blacksmith, Oxford, Iowa; was born 
in Germany, October 5, 1849; at the age of seven came to America with 
his parents, Christopher, Sr., and Frances, and settled in Iowa City, where 
they remained sixteen years. At the age of fifteen he commenced the 
blacksmith trade, which he has since followed, and worked in Iowa City 
until 1872, when he came to Oxford and started a shop, and is doing a 
good business; has about $1,600 invested. He was elected member of 
the town council in the spring of 1881, and re-elected in 1882, also mem- 
ber of school board. He was married October 4, 1873, to Ellen Curtis, a 
native of New York, and have three children living. 

J. H. LUTZ, farmer, post-office. Lone Tree; was born in Fayette 
county, Pennsylvania, May 20, 1828. He spent his early life in Pennsyl- 
vania, and in 1855 emigrated to Illinois with his father, and lived near 
Galesburg, until 1859, when he came to Johnson county and settled in 
section 22, Fremont township, where he now lives, this then being a wild 
prairie. He improved his farm, and now owns 285 acres of fine land and 
has good buildings and a very pleasant home. He was married May 27, 
1848, to Miss Martha J. Latta, a native of Washington county, Pennsyl- 
vania. They had eleven children, ten still living, viz: Allien, now Mrs. 
Benjamin F. Owen; Mary A., Joseph J., Kate, James H., Cora, Rachel, 
Charles, Frank, and Ella Belle; and John H., deceased. Mr. and Mrs. 
Lutz are members of the Reform Church. Mr. Lutz commenced poor, 



1 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 869 

and has by industry and economy accumulated quite a handsome estate 
and has a very pleasant family. 

CAPTAIN BRADLEY MAHANA, was born March 1, 1806, in 
Hop wood," Fayette county, Pennsylvania; died September 11, 1874, in 
Iowa City. He was married September 1, 1827, to Miss Catharine Seals, 
of Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. This union was blessed with the follow- 
ing named children: Amanda M., wife of John D, Patterson of Greene 
county, Pennsylvania; John O., a dry goods merchant, and President 
Western Mutual Aid Association at Des Moines, Iowa; James S., a 
merchant in Iowa City; Harriet, a young lady who died at Waynesburg, 
Pennsylvania; Sada V., wife of M. R. Luse, boot and shoe merchant of 
Iowa City; Richard, who lives in Beatrice, Nebraska; William D., who 
lives in Davenport, Iowa, an express messenger on the C. R. I. & P. R. 
R.; Bradley B., a merchant, living in Iowa City, and partner with James 
in the paint store; Frank, a painter living in Iowa City; Kittie, age fifteen, 
who died in Iowa City. Captain M. resided in Waynsburg, Pennsylva- 
nia, from 1827 to 1855, and settled in Iowa City in April, 1855. He was 
a democrat in politics. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church of Iowa City; he was fond of military life; he was commissioned 
Captain of the Washington Blues, and attached to the Highland Brigade 
of Pennsylvania, by Gov. D. R. Porter in 1842. He was again commis- 
sioned in 1849, by Gov. W. F. Johnson, and again by Gov. Bigelow, in 
1854. He was brigade inspector of the State of Pennsylyvania fourteen 
yerrs. His long military service under the militia organization of Pensyl- 
vania, qualified him with the tact, skill and military experience needed in his 
duties in the late civil war. When the war for the preservation of the 
Union was necessary, he was among the first to offer his sword and ser- 
vice in defence of the Federal union and the stars and stripes. He was 
Captain of a volunteer company in Iowa City. His services were accepted 
by the Governor and he marched to the front under the 75,000 call, and was 
in company B, first regiment of Iowa volunteer infantry. At the expira- 
tion of that enlistment, he came back to Iowa City and raised another 
company, and was elected its captain; and was assigned to company B, 
fourteenth regiment Iowa volunteer infantry; then became company B, 
forty-first infantry; and May 14, 1863, was transferred to and became 
company L, seventh regiment Iowa volunteer cavalry; and was dis- 
charged Nov. 30, 1864. He enjoyed the confidence of his men and was 
highly respected by his brother officers. He was a Mason for thirty-five 
years and held many offices of honor, profit and trust in the order, and his 
funeral was conducted by that benevolent body with the usual ceremony 
in a very satisfactory manner, characteristic of that brotherhood. His 
last sickness began Aug. 31, 1874, and his last words were, "All is well." 
And so it was with the brave old soldier who had lived an exemplary chris- 
55 



870 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

tian life, full of good deeds woven with acts of sympathetic kindness, in 
all parts he played on the stage of human action. 

MATHEW MAHER, a resident of Iowa City, doing business at No. 
12 North Clinton street, of plumbing, gas ^nd steam fitting; was born Feb. 
14, 1827, in Tipperar}', Ireland. Came to Americain April, 1849, and 
to Iowa Cit}?^ in 1865. He was married Feb. 14, 1849, to Miss Anna 
Phillipp, of Sheffield, England, They have seven children, five of whom 
are living: Mary, wife of Henry Sullivan; Sarah A., wife of William 
Murphy of Iowa City; Joseph, Mathew and Margaret. The family are 
members of the St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church of Iowa City. He 
is a republican in politics. 

DENNIS MAHONEY, farmer section fourteen, post-office Oxford; was 
born in Ireland, March 12, 1848, and came to America when two years of 
age with his parents, John and Margaret Mahoney, and came to Johnson 
county in 1859. He owns 120 acres of land, pays his attention to farming 
and raising stock. He was married March 10, 1870, to Mary Berry, a 
native of New York; they have five children: Nellie, Joseph, Dennis, 
James and Margaret. Mr. Mahoney is at present one of the township 
trustees and in faith is a Catholic. 

THOMAS H. MADISON, a resident of Iowa City, was born Decem- 
ber 3, 1858, in Kane county, Illinois; came to Iowa City in 1880, and was 
clerk at the Palace Hotel until June 1, 1882, when he opened up business 
for himself at the Central House, near the deoot of the C, R., I. & P. R. 
R., where he keeps constantly on hand refreshments of the best grade. 
He is a member of the U. O. of H. of Iowa City. He is independent in 
politics. 

SAMUEL W. M AGILE, a resident of Iowa City, on Dubuque street; 
was born March 25, 1805, in Baltimore, Maryland. He came to Iowa 
City in 1847 and engaged in the merchant tailoring business. He was 
married February 23, 1826, to Miss Percilla Beall, of Cumberland, Mary- 
land. They have four living children: William C, born October 18, 1832, 
married and hving in Cedar Rapids; John S., born March 15, 1837; 
Marion M., born March 10, 1840; Samuel T., born September 3, 1842; 
Mary L., wife of Wesley Morsman, born March 30, 1845, and living at 
Clarinda, Iowa. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of 
Iowa City, and his wife is a member of the same church, with which they 
have been connected as devout and faithful members for sixty years. 
They have lived together fifty-six years in peaceful wedded bliss. He is a 
member of No. (5, I. O. O. F., Iowa City. A greenbacker in politics, 
formerly a democrat, but always in favor of the Federal union, a demo- 
cratic form of government, and a full republican representation on the 
part of the people. He is a poet of no ordinary ability and very sarcastic 
in his burlesque powers. His poem on the origin and growth of Oddfel- 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 871 

lowship is worthy of notice. He has filled the offices of township trustee 
and clerk, and was a member of the city council and served on the school 
board in 1854. 

JAMES M ALLOY, a farmer, resides in Hardin township, section 35; 
was born in November, 1830, in Ireland; came to America in 1853, and 
to Johnson county in 1856; settled in Hardin township in 1858. He was 
married in July, 1860, to Miss Mary Rooney, of Hardin township. The}^ 
have five children: Fannie, James, Maggie, Mary S. and Katie. The 
family are members of the Roman Catholic Church at Windham. Is 
democratic in politics. He has a well stocked farm of 331 acres; well 
improved; hogs and corn are his specialties. 

WILLIAM E. MARVIN, farmer, Oxford; was born in this township 
December 2, 1840, and was the first white child born in what is now 
Oxford township, his parents, Charles and Eliza Marvin coming here 
April 10, 1830, from Richland county, Ohio, and staked out their claim 
in section 21. Here the subject of our sketch was raised, and endured all 
the hardships of pioneer life, and consequently had not the advantages of 
a good school. He was married March 25, 1862, to Caroline C. Saxton, 
daughter of John Saxton, who came to Johnson county, in 1853. He fol- 
lowed farming until 1867, when he sold dry-goods and groceries where 
he now lives, and the following year opened up a general stock of dry- 
goods and groceries in Oxford in partnership with Joseph Douglass, being 
the first store in Oxford. He continued in business until 1876. He then 
sold out to Mr. Miftet, but still continued as postmaster until January, 
1880. Since then he has paid his attention to farming, and now owns 368 acres 
of land and has a fine farm residence. They have seven children, viz: Joel 
B., Theodore C, Josie L., William E , Cora M., Clark W., and Daniel 
He is a member of Canopy Lodge, No. 290, A. F. & A. M. at Oxford. 

GEORGE L. MASTON, a farmer residing in Oxford township, post- 
office, Oxford; was born June 15, 1853, at Saratoga Springs, New York. 
Came to Iowa City, 1856, remained there four months and then moved 
to Coralville, where he lived five years; after a short time he settled in 
Oxford township, where he has made his home ever since. His father 
is living, aged sixty-four, and his mother aged fort3'-five, both residing 
in Oxford township. He has a brother named Charles, aged twenty- 
four; a sister Marguretta C. that died July 20, 1880, age three years 
and four months; and Elizabeth V. died in 1881, age eighteen years and 
nine months. 

GEORGE. D. MATHEWSON, creamery and it^g shipping estab- 
lishment at Morse; was born in Berlin, Connecticut, in 1853. He left there 
when two years old with his parents and went to Oxford, Heniy county, 
Illinois, and remained there seven years, when they moved to Winnebago 
county, Illinois. Remained there until 1870, when he came to Central 



872 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

City, Linn county, Iowa, and in 1874 entered Western College and 
graduated there in 1881. Prior to his graduation he was elected principal 
of Coal Valley graded school — this was in 1879. He was principal one 
year and then went to Moline, Illinois, where he studied law with Messrs 
Browning & Entrikin. He was admitted to the barin Davenport in Feb., 
1881, and in March, 1881, came to Morse, Graham township, and started 
with his brother in the creamery business. He is a member of the United 
Brethren Church. 

L. A. McCONNELL, a resident of Iowa City and a son of Joseph 
McConnell, deceased. His father came to Iowa City, in 1856, is of Irish 
Quaker ancestry, who founded a home in old Virginia and afterwards in 
Ohio, and then back to Pennsylvania, where Joseph was born and learned 
the trade of miller. He was married in 184:1: to Miss Edith Rogers, of 
Chester county, Pennsylvania. They have five children, three were 
taken away in close succession by scarlet fever and the family was nar- 
rowed to a widow and two stout sons to bear the sorrow that came to the 
household by the death of Joseph McConnell. The shadows of sorrow 
was borne with patience and faith, peculiar to the good old Quaker blood. 
Joseph McConnell was active in his business and was always found 
identified with [all public improvements and enterprises, a faithful chris- 
tian, an honest and upright citizen, was respected b}- all who knew him. 
He was an unwavering friend, a wise father and a kind husband. The 
widow and two sons entered the heritage of a good name and a blame- 
less life upon the death of Mr. McC. L. A. McConnell has for a long 
time been connected with the B. C. R. & N. R. R., and has secured 
many warm friends by his gentlemanly conduct in all business transactions. 

JEREMIAH McCarthy, farmer, post-office. Lone Tree: was born 
in County Cork, Ireland, July 21, 1829, and in 1818 came to America, and 
lived in New York State a few years, and came to Johnson county the 
spring of 1856, and lived in Iowa City for a number of years, and in 1874 
bought 170 acres of land in Fremont township, where he now lives. He 
was married May, 1852, to Mary McNamara, also a native of Ireland, 
county Clare; she dying April 7, 1872, leaving nine children: Jeremiah, 
now in Dakota; Katherine, Charles, Mary A., Dennis, John, Margaret E., 
Daniel and Hannora. 

D. E. McCLELLAN, merchant and postmaster, at Oasis; born in 
Niagara county. New York; went to Michigan in 1836, and was married 
in 1859 to Miss Cornelia P. Hannon, of Michigan; while living there had 
one daughter; came from there to Johnson county, Iowa, in 1865, and set- 
tled in Scott township; ^moved to West Branch and lived there until 1878, 
when he moved to Oasis and started in the general mercantile business; 
he was appointed postmaster at Oasis in 1878, by President Hayes. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 873 

H, B. McCULLOUGH, railroad ajrent, River Junction; was born in 
Tuscararas county, Ohio, Aui^ust 29, 1837, and when he was five years of 
agehis parents, Samuel and Sarah, emigrated to Iowa City, where he spent 
his early life and attended the State University, the first term. In 1859 
he went to Buchanan county, where he lived thirteen years, with the excep- 
tion of 1864, he spent in Colorado; he then went to Ohio and was time- 
keeper in the railroad shops at Dennison, and in 1873 he came to River 
Junction and took the position of railroad agent, where he still remains. 
He owns a farm of 160 acres in Adams county, this State; after coming 
to the Junction he owned a store, which was burned in 1874, losing about 
$1,500 thereby. He was married November 28, 1862, to Miss Rose 
McElwain, a native of this county, daughter of A. T. McElwain, one of 
the early settlers, having come to this county in 1838. This union has 
been blessed with four children: Willie, Aggie T., Ora Belle, and Jessie 
V. Mr. McCnllough is a member of the A. F. and A. M., at River Side, 
No. 259; also of the A. O. U. W. 105, at same place. 

CHARLES W. McCUNE, farmer and stock raiser, post-office Solon; 
was born in Jeflerson county, N. Y., Oct. 16, 182 J, and in 1833 removed 
to Summit county, Ohio, and to Iowa in 1841, and settled in Big Grove 
township, where he took a claim and has since resided. In 1850 he went 
to California, and returned in 1851. He then commenced buying and 
shipping stock and was the largest shipper in the county for some years. 
In 1876 he bought some fine miported Short-horns, and since then has 
been breeding and raising fine stock. In 1876 he was elected to the leg- 
islature, and served one term. In January, 1882, he was appointed agent 
of the land department by Secretary Kirkwood, and assigned to Minnesota 
and remained there four months, when he resigned. He was married 
July 5, 1846, to Miss Phoebe L. Sutlifi; of Trumbull county, Ohio. They 
have nine children, viz: Austin S., Helen, now Mrs. M. S. Shirclifl', 
Emily, now Mrs. Hickox, Harvey S., Ann, now Mrs. Coats, Mamie, 
William, Charles and Leonard. 

JOHN P. McCUNE, farmer and stock breeder. Cedar township, post- 
office Solon; was born in Jefierson county, N. Y., Nov. 28, 1819, and spent 
his boyhood there until he was seventeen, when he emigrated to Ohio 
with his parents, William and Sally McCune, both natives of Vermont, 
and settled in Summit county. There the subject of our sketch lived 
until 1839, when he took a trip down the Mississippi river, and finally 
came to Iowa, and settled in Johnson county in March, 1840, and took a 
claim in Big Grove township, and moved to Cedar township in 1851, 
where he now owns 765 acres of fine land. He has a fine stone residence 
and pays considerable attention to breeding and raising fine stock. He 
was married Nov. 28, 1844, to Electa R. Sutliff, a native of Trumbull 
county, Ohio, and a daughter of Allen C. and Nancy Sutlift', who came to 
Cedar township in December, 1838. They have twelve children, seven 



874 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

now living, viz: Harriet, now married to L. Clark, Tully S., Dora, now 
married to Geo. Hagea, William J., Edith B., now Mrs. M. Umdenstock, 
Helen E. and Nanc}^ M. 

HUGH McCREERY, lumber dealer, Oxford, Iowa; was born in Ire- 
land, June 4, 1831. At the age of eighteen he came to America and first 
settled in Muskingham county, Ohio, where he lived about two years, 
and came to Johnson county in 1852, and engaged in farming. He moved 
to Oxford in 1876, and engaged with J. W. Wilson in the lumber trade; 
Wilson selling out the spring of 1881, the business is now conducted by 
McCreery & O'Brien. He was married April 29, 1858, to Miss Elizabeth 
E. O'Brien, a native of Monroe county, Indiana. They have six children 
living, viz: James P., John R., Martha I., Elmira R., Robert G. and 
David B.; and three dead. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. and of 
the M. E. Church. 

E. McDonnell, farmer and stock-raiser, Solon; was born in Ireland, 
March 31,1824, and emigrated to America in 1845, and settled on the farm 
he now lives on, and where he owns 160 acres, all well improved, which 
he has made himself; he now raises considerable stock. He was married 
October 28, 1860, to Martha Moran, a native of Lorain county, Ohio; she 
dying May 20, 1875, leaving six children: Mary M., Helen E., Willie R., 
Amelia, Cecelia A. and Augusta J., now deceased. Mr. McDonnell was 
one of the original members of the Catholic Church in Solon, and one of 
the building committee in^erecting the new brick church, and also treasurer 
of the building fund. 

MICHAEL McINNERY, a merchant doing business on Washington 
street, in Iowa City; was born February 29, 1824; came to America and 
landed in Boston in 1845. He was married in 1857 to Miss Mary Dohney 
of Iowa City; settled in Iowa City in 1854, and engaged in mercantile busi- 
ness. His family consists of the following children: Eliza, Frank J., 
Thomas J., George and Ella, living; John and Mary A., are dead; his 
wife died September 10, 1882, of consumption. He was a soldier in the 
Federal army in the Mexican war in the ordnance department, and was 
wounded at the battle of Chepultepec and Mexico. He enlisted in Augusta, 
Maine, and served five years. He is a member of the St. Patrick's Roman 
Catholic Church, and is independent in politics. 

JAMES M AGRUDER, farmer, post-office, River Junction. Our work 
would be incomplete without the sketch of James Magruder, the oldest set- 
tler now living in Fremont township. He was born in Chesterfield county, 
Virginia, April 19, 1818, where he spent his boyhood days, and at the age 
of eighteen he went to St. Joseph county, Indiana, where he spent nearly 
three years, and worked at the carpenter's trade. In 1838 he came to 
Johnson county and settled in what is now Fremont township, with David 
Sweet and William Kelso. He was married November 15, 1839, to Ruth 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 875 

Stover, a native of Wayne county, Indiana, and daughter of Joseph and 
Easter Stover; since their marriage they have lived on the land Mr. 
Magruder first entered from the government, and now owns 160 acres 
of land; he has always raised considerable stock, and has taken many 
first premiums at our fairs on horses and other stock. He has been a 
member of the county agricultural society for years, and has never 
missed an election except the one of June 27th, when he was sick. He 
has lour children living, viz.: John W., George M., James M. and Martha 
J., now Mrs. Nelson. He still holds his membership with the Universalist 
Church. 

GEORGE MAGRUDER, farmer, post-oflice. River Junction; was 
born in this township, June 5, 1845, and is a son of James and Ruth 
Magruder who came here the spring of 1839. The subject of our sketch 
has always lived and followed the occupation of a farmer, getting only a 
common school education. He now owns 140 acres of land. He was 
married Jan. 2, 1872, to Miss Annie Shepherd, a native of Indiana. They 
have three children, only one now living: Elma, born Nov. 30, 1873. 

ARTHUR MEDOWELL, the present competent, efficient and honest 
republican auditor of Johnson county, Iowa; was born July 10, 1842, in 
Ashland county, Ohio, settled in Johnson county, in October, 1842. He 
was married Nov. 27, 1878, to Miss Mollie A. Hall of Johnson county, 
Iowa. They have one child named Harry, born June 25, 1880, a dear 
little fellow, the mirth and joy of their domestic circle. He was educated 
in Iowa City, and took a commercial course at Bryant & Stratton's 
College in Chicago, Illinois; graduated in the spring of 1862. He 
fought and bled for his country in company D, forty-fourth Iowa regiment. 
The republican party placed him upon their ticket and he was elected for 
auditor by the good round majority of 192. At that election 5,040 votes 
were cast, 2,616 for Medowell and 2,424 for Carl Vogt. He was elected 
in 1881 by forty-three majority over George Koo.its; the vote was much 
less this year than in 1879 — ^the vote in 1881, being for governor, 4,337, 
for auditor, 4,336; the republican governor got 1,918 votes, while Mr. 
Medowell, the republican candidate for county auditor, got 2,121, being 
291 votes ahead of his ticket. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd 
Fellows societies of Iowa City. He is the only republican that ever car- 
ried Big Grove and Cedar township, for a county office. His father beat 
him in Cedar only, taken all the votes in 1847, while Arthur was content 
with a good round majority when he ran for office. Previous to his elec- 
tion as auditor of Johnson county, was engaged in the drug business at 
Solon. 

HENRY MEDOWELL, a citizen and resident of Iowa City, and 
the father of Arthur Medowell, the present auditor of Johnson county; was 
born June 7, 1811, in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania; moved to Ash- 



876 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

land county, Ohio, in 1820. He was married June 15, 1837, to Miss Mar- 
garet Hayden, of Ashland county, Ohio; he came to Johnson county, Iowa, 
and settled in what is now called Big Grove township, October, 1842, on 
section 26. They were blessed with two chilldren: Sarah E.,born Febru- 
ary 28, 1839, and was married to Charles A. Myers; they were blessed 
with two children: Mabel and Grace; she died in March, 1878. Arthur 
Medowell was born July 10, 1842, in Ashland county, Ohio. Mr. Mcdow- 
ell's wife died in the spring of 1882, and he makes his home with his 
only son. He was elected member of the county board of commissioner 
in August, 1847, and served three years; he was the only man that ever 
carried Big Grove and Cedar townships, as a candidate m opposition to the 
regular democratic candidate; he got every vote (seventeen in number) 
cast in Cedar township as against his opponent, Abner Arrow Smith; he 
was a candidate against Oilman Fulsom for the Legislature the first time 
Fulsom ran, and was defeated as a republican. He is still an ardent repub- 
lican; he held the office of township clerk and trustee alternately for six- 
teen years. 

FRANCIS X. MELLECKER, post-office, Oxford, was born in Ross 
county, Ohio, June 7, 1846. When he was quite young his parents moved 
to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where they lived ten years, when they moved 
to Johnson county, where the subject of our sketch has since resided, and 
has lived in Oxford five years. He was married November 3, 1875, to 
Lillie Adelsiam, a native of this State and county. They have three 
children. 

MATTHIAS MEYER, farmer, post-office, Solon; was born in Bavaria 
October 16, 1819, and lived there until 1853, when he came to America, 
and in the fall of 1854 came to Iowa City, where he worked several months; 
he then came to Big Grove township, and worked for the farmers, and in 
1865 he bought 200 acres of land, where he now resides. He made the 
most of the brick for the Catholic Church in Solon; he has made all the 
improvements on his farm, buying it when raw prairie. He was married 
March 7, 1845, to Catherine Baker, also of Bavaria. This union has been 
blessed with seven children, viz: John, Joseph, Elizabeth, Jacob, Annie, 
Katie and Rosa. Mr. Meyer and family are devout Catholics. 

ANTONE MERLINE, a resident of Iowa City; born February 15, 
1831, in Germany; came to America in 1849; Uved in Steuben county. 
New York, six years, then came and settled in Iowa .City in 1855. He 
was married in New York State in 1854 to Lousia Coblen. They have 
been blessed with three children: Vmcent, Frank and Louisa. Mr. 
Merline has been on the detective force for sixteen years. In 1864, while 
he was working in Lewis' building on Washington street, the scoflbld 
broke and threw him with three others to the ground, a distance of thirty- 
two feet, and by this accident he was so badly injured that he did no work 
for two years. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 877 

JOSEPH MICHAEL, a farmer and stock raiser, residing in Newport 
township, post-office address, Iowa City; was born September 29, 1825, 
in Bavaria; came to America in 1858; landed in New York City, and 
came direct to Johnson county. He has lived twenty years on section 12, 
in Newport township. He was married in 1859 to Miss Margaret Doll, 
of Bavaria. They have eleven children: Nicholas Nathan, Frank Joseph, 
Flora S., Charlotte, Henry Carl, Peter, Margaret, John W, Henry Otto, 
Joseph, and Frederick. They are members of the Lutheran Church. He 
is a democrat in politics. He has a fine farm and orchard. 

VALENTINE MILLER, proprietor of Coral Mills, Coralville; is a 
native of Bavaria, where he was born July 12, 1836, and emigrated to 
America in 1855; stopped a few months in Rochester, New York, and 
came to Iowa City in August of same year, and worked for Clarke & 
Kirkwood nine years. He then went to Marshalltown and bought a mill, 
which he run six years. He then sold out and returned to Coralville, and 
bought the old mill, which was burned in 1872. He then, in company 
with William Kirkwood, built the Coral Mills, of which he is now the 
owner of a three-fourths interest. He was married July 27, 1863, to 
Minna Zeisler, a native of Germany. They have six children: William, 
Ida, Laura, Jennie, Freddie, and May. He is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity and of the I. O. O. F. 

A.J. MILLER, hardware merchant, Oxford, Iowa; was born in West 
moreland county, Pennsylvania, September 21, 1830, where he spent his 
early hfe. He attended Mt. Pleasant College, where he graduated in 
1849. He then resided at home until 1854, when he came to Iowa City, 
and engaged in the real-estate and stock business with good success, until 
July 8, 1861, when he enlisted as first lieutenant of company G, Sixth 
Iowa Infantry, and served in the 15th corps until October 26, 1864. From 
the capture of Vicksburg he served as captain until he was mustered out 
He then went to the oil regions of Pennsylvania one year, then returned 
to this county and farmed until the fall of 1875, when he came to Oxford, 
and engaged in the hardware and agricultural business. He was a char- 
ter member of White Marble lodge. No. 238, A. F. & A. M., and at pres- 
ent treasurer of Canopy Lodge, No. 290, at Oxford, also a leading mem- 
ber of Palestine Commandery, No. 2, at Iowa City, and has filled several 
township offices, and is one of Oxford's best and most social citizens. He 
was married August 23, 1863, to Miss Louisa McColin of Bahimore, 
Maryland, and have four children living. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are both 
consistent members of the Methodist Church. 

AARON P. MILLER, farmer, Monroe township, post-office, Western 
Linn county, Iowa; was born in Stark county, Illinois, August 8, 1846. Is 
the son of John and Mary A. Miller; his father is eighty-two years old. 
When Aaron was seven'years old, his parents came to Iowa, and first set- 



878 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

tied near Iowa City; they sold their farm of 160 acres there and went to 
Buchanan county, lived there seventeen years; in 1869 they purchased 
190 acres of land in this county in section 12, where Aaron now resides. 
About this time he went to Colorado, and there on the 13th of February, 
he was married to Miss Nellie Foote. To them were born two children: 
Mary C. and John P. He then returned to Iowa on account of wife's 
health, where she died on the 8th of October, 1880. He went again to 
Colorado, and married Miss Florence Kershner, formerly of Buchanan 
count}^, Iowa, July 22, 1881 ; he then returned to Iowa, and since that time 
has followed farming and stock-raising. Mr. Miller is a member of the 
I. O. O. F. ; has filled the office of clerk, assessor and justice of the peace, 
and is now the nominee for justice of the peace. He attended Western 
College and taught three terms of school in his district. 

JOHN B. MILLER, a resident of Iowa City, a tinsmith by trade; was 
born April 22, 1839, in Bavaria, Germany; came to America in 1839, 
landed in Baltimore, Maryland, and settled in Iowa City in July, 1855. He 
was married November 9, 1857, to Miss Josephine Rabas, of Iowa City. 
This union is blessed with three children: John W., William H., and 
Lotta. Member ot the Masonic societies of Iowa City, and the Legion of 
Honor. He has served ten years in the fire department, and is on the rolls 
as a life member. Retired from business in 1872. A democrat in politics. 

JOSEPH P. MILLER, a resident of Sharon township, post-office, Iowa 
City; was born March 22, 182-1, in Suminerset county, Pennsylvania. He 
was married December 17, 1843, to Miss Sarah Stutzman, of Fairfield 
county, Ohio. This union is blessed with five living children: Samuel J., 
Barbara J., Lucy A., wife of Jonas M. Miller; Catherine J., Nancy J. 
He came to Iowa and settled in Sharon township, Johnson county, in 1856. 
A republican in politics. Was a member of the board of supervisor from 
Sharon township under the law electing a member from each township; 
he has filled the offices of township trustee and treasurer of the school 
board for a great many years. He is a member of the Amish society of 
Sharon township — the society of Sharon township is divided into two dis- 
tricts of about forty families in each district. They have no church; they 
hold their meetings at the dwelling house of the members as convenience 
and the circumstance may justify, when they fix the time for religious 
services. 

ARNOLD C. MOON, M. D., a prominent physician and surgeon of 
Iowa City; was born March 22, 1817, in Stephenton, Renssellaer county. 
New York. He graduated from the Medical College at Albany, New 
York, in March, 1840. He was married in 1844. Manly B. Moon, M. 
D., of Iowa City, his son, was born May 24, 1851, in Knoxville, Ohio, and 
came to Iowa City with his parents in 1856. He graduated from the 
Medical Department of State University, March 4, 1874, and began prac- 
tice in Iowa City immediately. He was county physician for three years 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 879 

and one of the attending surgeon at Mercy Hospital. Milton Moon, engaged 
in selling drugs and medicines at No. 25 Washington street, is another 
son. The}^ reside southwest corner ot Church and Dubuque streets. 
They have a well stocked and finely arranged drug store. The doctors 
have their office over the drug store and are enjoying a profitable practice 
in Iowa City and Johnson county. Dr. A. C. Moon is the oldest resident 
physician in the city, and by twenty-six years of faithful service to his 
patrons is enabled in his declining years to have all the patients possible 
for him to successfully treat. 

ALEXANDER L. MOREL AND, farmer, post-office. North Liberty; 
was born Feb. 20, 1842, in Franklin county, Pennsylvania. His parents 
came to Iowa in 1844, where he was raised on a farm and received his 
education in the common schools. On the 13th of August, 1863, he 
enlisted in the Twenty-eighth Iowa, Company E, under Captain David 
Stewart. He was discharged at Savannah, July 29, 1865. Was engaged 
in twelve battles: Port Gibson, Champion Hill, Vicksburg, Cane River, 
Red River campaign, Winchester and others. At Winchester he was 
wounded in the knee, which rendered him unfit for service for five months. 
On the 16th of September, 1868, he was married to Miss Mary Zeller, 
daughter of N. Zeller, Sen. To them have been born four children, three 
are living: Mamie C, Cora E. and Florence. Mr. Moreland owns 160 acres 
of prairie land in section twelve, well improved,"and seventy acres of timber, 
follows farming and stock raising. He belongs to no church, but holds to 
the principles of morality and is right strictly honest in all his dealings. 
His wife is a member of the Church of God. 

JOHN L. MORELAND, (deceased). The subject of this sketch was 
born in Perry county, Pennsylvania, March 3, 1807; is the son of Captain 
David Moreland, a native of Ireland, who was a soldier in the war of 1812. 
John L. was raised on a farm; he learned the trade of fuller and worked 
at that for a time. On the 28th day of March, 1833, he was married to 
Miss Catharine Hetrick, of the same county and State he was from; and 
his family consisted of six children, three are still living: Alex. L., William 
S. and Sarah E. In 1843 he moved to Illinois, lived there until the spring 
of 1845, when he came to Iowa and settled in this county on section 12, 
where he farmed for a number of years; he then built himself a comforta- 
ble home on the place, W. S. and A. L. taking charge of the farm. Mr. 
Moreland worked hani, gained a good competency. He was not a mem- 
ber of any church, but held to the general principles of religion, and 
believed more in works than in blind unreasoning faith. He died July 3, 
1878. It may be truly said of him, though dead, yet speaketh. His widow 
survives him and still lives on the old homestead. 

AUTON MOROVORK, a resident of Madison township, post-office 
Shueyville; was born in January, 1834, at Richnow, Bohemia. He was 
married September 15, 1854, to Miss Anna Krislik, of Bohemia; his second 



880 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

marriage was May 18, 1875, to Miss Josephine Klima. This union is 
blessed with four children: Frank, Anna, Mary and Anton. He came 
to America in 1876, and settled in Johnson county on the Iowa river, near 
Robert's Ferry, in 1881. He is a member of the Catholic Church, and a 
democrat in politics. 

FRED MOESSNER, a butcher, residing in Iowa City; was born May 
13, 1839, in Wurtemberg, Germany. Came to America in July, 1854, 
landing in Baltimore, Md., and finally settled in Iowa City, Johnson 
county, Iowa, in 1856, and began work at his trade, and has carried on 
that business in Iowa City most of the time since. He served three 
months in the Union army, under Col. Frank P. Blair, in the first Mis- 
souri regiment, and was wounded in the left jaw and the right knee at the 
battle of Wilson Creek, Missouri. He is a member of the Lutheran 
Church, a democrat in politics, and a good citizen, a member of the 
German Lodge No. 129, I. O. O. F., and of the A. O. U. W.; also the 
German sporting society of Iowa City. He made a visit to his native land 
in 1882, and returned well pleased with the visit, but contented with 
America, Johnson county and especially Iowa City. 

MRS. MARY A. MORSE, the widow of E. K. Morse, residing on 
the old homestead near Morse station; was born in 1819 in Miami county, 
Ohio; left there at the age of nine years, and made her home at St. Joe, 
Indiania, until she was nineteen years of age; her maiden name was Mary 
A. Coe; she moved with her parents to Johnson county, Iowa, and resided 
in Iowa City four years, and then moved to Cedar county and lived there 
four years, and finally settled in Graham township. She married E. K. 
Morse in 1840, and has resided on the same farm since. This union is 
blessed with seven children: one son and six daughters. 

A. D. MORDOFF, a resident of Iowa City, a notary public, collection 
and insurance business on Washington street; was born April 2, 1820, in 
Monroe county. New York. He was married May 13, 1845, to Miss 
Louisa E. Carpenter, of Wyoming county, N. Y. The}^ have five chil- 
dren: Frank, who died June, 1879, Adelle, Louisa E., teacher in the Iowa 
City Academy, Lela, wife of E. C. Clapp of Shelby, Iowa, and Carrie E. 
The fam.ily are members of the Baptist Church of Iowa City. He is a 
republican in politics; has held the otfice of justice of" the peace three 
times. 

MOSES J. MORSEMAN, M. D., a retired physician of Iowa City; 
was born Mtiy 20, 1812, in Jefferson county. New York. Came to Iowa 
City in 1846, and engaged in the practice of medicine. He was married 
to Miss Mary M. Hubbard, of Castalia, Ohio. She was born June 2, 
1819, in Oswego, N. Y., and died in Iowa City June 4, 1880. They have 
eight children living: Melvina A., Edgar M., Louisa A., Wesley W., 
Haley E., Albert, Herman A. and Dorman J. The Dr. is one of the 
physicians that passed through the cholera season of 1855 in Iowa City. 



\ 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 881 

WILLIAM MULLEN, the present efficient superintendent of the 
poor farm of Johnson county, located in Union township, post-office, Iowa 
City; was born in Queen's county, Ireland, August 2, 1841; left there 
December 14, 1863, and landed in New York City December 28; moved 
to Rockford, Illinois, January, 1864, and lived there until he settled in Iowa 
City April IS, 1868. He was with the Iowa City Gas Company eleven 
years and six months. He is a democrat in politics and voted against the 
prohibitory constitutional amendment. In March, 1880, he was appointed 
superintendent of the poor farm by the board of supervisors of this county. 
He was married December 28, 1862, to Miss Katharine Whalen of Ire- 
land. They have seven children: Johh P., Annie S., Joseph, James, Mary, 
Katie and Francis. 

R. T. MULOCK, farmer, post-office Solon ; was born in Ireland, May 
8, 1826, bat is of English descent. In 1834, his parents moved to Canada 
and settled near Toronto, where the subject of our sketch lived until 1849. 
He then came to the United States and went to the copper mines of north- 
ern Michigan, where he lived until 1876, and had charge of the erecting 
of machinery at the mines for a number of years, but the last few years 
was superintendent of "Porter Lake and Lake Superior Ship Canal", and 
lived in Houghton county. He then in 1876 came to Solon and settled on 
his farm of 93 acres, one mile southwest, and has one of the finest locations 
in the county, and a fine residence. He has been twice married, first Oct. 
26, 1852, to Mary A. Conklin, of Canada; she dying April 14, 1870, leav- 
ing seven children, viz: William P., Vans L., Henry R., Sarah J., Mary 
E., Homer J. and Ella E. He was again married Oct. 6, 1872, to Rachel 
A. Payn, daughter of Joseph Payn, of Solon, They have two children 
living, viz: Josephine R. and Edwin H. Mr. Mulock is a Master Mason, 
also a member of the Methodist Church, but was brought up in the 
Episcopal faith. 

VALENTINE MYERS, farmer, Madison township, post-office. North 
Liberty ; was born February 16, 1828, in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania; 
is the son of Peter and Margaret Myers. His mother died in 1881; his 
father is living m Pennsylvania, and is 82 years old. Valentine has fol- 
lowed farming all his life, with the exception of two terms of school which 
he taught since he came to Iowa. In the spring of 1845 he came to Iowa 
and settled in Johnson county; first in section 36; he sold that, and pur- 
chased in Madison township, in section 11, where he now resides on 200 
acres of well-improved land. On the 25th day of November, 1851, he 
was married to Mrs. Mar}^ Stover, widow of Moses Stover, and daughter 
of the venerable David Green. They have six children; five are yet living: 
John W., Frank D,, Emma, Samuel A., and Martha P . (twins). Mr. 
Myers follows farming and stock-raising; is a republican in politics, and 
voted for the amendment; is also a member of the Church of God; as also 
are his wife and children, save one. 



882 HISTORY OP^ JOHNSON COUNTY. 

DANIEL MYERS, farmer, section 12, post-office, Oxford; was born in 
Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, March 3, 1837, and is of German 
extraction. He spent his early life in his native county on a farm, until he 
was seventeen; he then worked at the carpenter trade two years; then 
farmed until 1865, when he came to Iowa and settled in Johnson county; 
he now owns 240 acres of fine land, and has it well improved, and devotes 
his time to farming and raising stock. He was married May 13, 1856, to 
Susannah Acker, of Blair county, Pennsylvania, and have nine children 
living, and six dead. Those living are: John A., Adam, Elizabeth, Jacob, 
Dewald, Abraham, Sarah, Susan, and David S. He is a member of the 
Presbyterian Church, and has served as township trustee several terms; 
also, other township offices. 

MORANT MEYER, farmer, post-office, .Bon x'\ccord; was born in 
Germany, March 17, 1844; came to Iowa and to Johnson county, in 
June of 1872. Mr. Meyer was married June 21, 1875, to Mrs. Barbara 
Schraeder, widow of John Schraeder. She was born in Bavaria, Ger- 
many, in 1838; came to Johnson county in 1842 with her father's family, 
and located in Big Grove township. Of her first marriage Mrs. Meyer 
has five children, as follows: Mary, Joseph, John, Katie and Annie. Of 
the second union there are three children: Morant J., Susanna B. and 
Louisa M. Mr. Me3'er is a member of the Catholic Church. Politics, 
democratic. 

ISAAC MYERS, a resident and farmer in Penn township, post- 
office North Liberty; was born Sept. 18, 1841. Settled in Penn township 
in 1859. He was married Feb. 20, 1868, to Miss Sarah E. Moreland, of 
Penn township. They have five children: Mary E., Annie E., Iowa E., 
John and Isaac. He was a soldier in the war in the 2d Iowa Cavalry, 
was wounded at Franklin, Tenn. He is the owner of 315 acres of fine 
land under a high state of cultivation, 60 acres of timber land. He is a 
republican in politics, and voted for the prohibitory constitutional amend- 
ment. He held several township offices: clerk, trustee and secretary of 
school board. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge at North Liberty. 
He has had rather an eventful life; had his right arm broken when eight 
years of age, by falling off a barn, had the same arm broken two weeks 
afterward by falling down, and in 1868 his team ran away with him near 
Iowa City, and crushed his ankle; one horse was injured so badly it had 
to be killed. In 1868 he was burned out, lost his home and family cloth- 
ing, and everything in the house, caused b}- a defective flue; and in 1875, 
was burned out again. His brother Samuel, had his leg torn ofi'by a cir- 
cular saw in 1875, at a mill on his farm. 

L. D. MYERS, a blacksmith at South Liberty, post-office Bon Accord; 
was born June 5, 1835, in Germany. Came to America in 1861, and set- 
tled in Johnson county, March, 1880. Learned his trade in Germany. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 883 

He began work and settled his family in South Liberty, March, 1882. 
He was married May 10, 1864, to Miss Minnie Baughman, of Rock 
Island, 111. They have a family of six children: Annie W., Fannie, Min- 
nie, Charles, Emma and Ida. He is a member of the German Lutheran 
Church of Iowa City. 

ELI MYERS. The subject of this sketch was born Sept. 20, 1813, in 
Preble county, Ohio. Died Oct. 23, 1850, in Sacramento City, California. 
He came to Johnson county and secured a claim in Pleasant Valley in 
1836. He was married Dec. 31, 1840, to Miss Sarah A. Kidder, of Sen- 
eca county, N. Y. They have three children: Lydia, wife of J. B. 
Edmonds, of Washington D, C, Mary, wife of Prof. Gilbert L. Pinkham, 
of Hampton, Franklin county, Iowa, and Ionia A., living at home with 
her mother on the corner of Court and Clinton streets. The family are 
members of the Unitarian Church of Iowa Cit3\ Mr. Myers was a mem- 
ber of the Universalist Church of Iowa City, and was an honest, upright 
christian gentleman. 

THOMx\S NOLAN, a farmer and stock raiser, residing on section 
one, in Graham township, post-office address, Morse; was born in 1828, in 
Tipperary county,";Ireland, Came to America in 1835, landed in New 
York and settled in New Jersy, and lived there five years, then settled in 
Graham township, in 1840. He is a son of James and Bridget Nolan, 
deceased. He was married in 1850, to Miss Margaret Fitzpatrick of 
Cedar county, Iowa. They have two boys. The family are members of 
the St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church at Cedar county, called the Nolan 
Church, in the Nolan settlement. A democrat in politics. 

JAMES NOLAN, a farmer residing in Union, township on section six- 
teen, post-office address, Iowa City; was born Jan. 25, 1822, in Tipperary 
county, Ireland, came to America in 1834, landed in Jersey City. He 
came to and settled in Johnson county, Iowa, in 1853. He made the 
overland trip to California from Missouri, in 1850, from April 10, to Aug. 
28. He was married in May, 1842 to Miss Susan Connolly; she died in 
1872. They had five children; Thomas, John, James, Jerry and Rose. 
He was married in 1874, to Miss Annie Welch. The family are members 
of the St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church of Iowa City. He is a demo- 
crat in politics, he never held an office of any kind and would not have 
one of any kind. He is a true genuine'Irishman, fond of his nationality 
and would not change nis sweet Irish accent for any cultivated English 
accent known to man. A good citizen, respected by all who knew him as 
an honest and truthful citizen. 

FRANK NOVAK, a resident of Iowa City, a carpenetr by trade; was 
born Dec. 10, 1843, in Bohemia. Came to America when four years of 
age, landed in New York City and lived there until he was sixteen years 
of age. Settled in Iowa City in 1861. He was a faithful soldier in the 



884 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Union army, enlisting in Company B, Twenty-second Iowa Infantry in 
1862. Came home in August, 1865, and began work at his trade, which 
he has followed ever since, establishing for himself a good business. He 
was married July 27, 1867, to Miss Barbara Loder, of Linn county, Iowa 
A democrat in politics. His place of business is on Jeflerson street 
between Linn and Gilbert streets, where he has a nice carpenter shop 
and always plenty to do. 

FRANK NOVAK, a farmer residing in Monroe township, on section 
16, post-office address, Danforth; was born August 16, 1835, in Austria; 
came to America, and landed in Quebec, Canada, the 4th day of July, 1855, 
and he came to Solon, Johnson county, the same year, and finally bought 
the farm upon which he now resides January 16, 1861. He was married 
February 16, 1861, to Miss Barbara Hajek, of Monroe township. They 
have nine healthy children, all living, five boys and four girls: Joseph J. 
Frank, Matilda, Barbara, Wesley, Eddie, Emma, John, and Allie. The 
family are members of the Catholic Church. He is a democrat in poli- 
tics; has held the office of township trustee for nine years. He voted 
against the prohibitory constitutional amendment. He is the owner of 
941 acres of land. He is one of the most extensive farmers in Johnson 
county. In 1876 the hog-cholera broke out, and he lost 600 head of hogs, 
400 were fat, and 200 pigs, worth J})6,000. He sold $2,100 worth of hogs 
in the June market, 1876, to the packing-house in Cedar Rapids. His 
crops for 1881: 275 acres of corn, 55 acres of wheat, got 600 bushels; 
85 acres of oats, 2,500 bushels; 45 acres of rye, 614^ bushels. His average 
crop of barley for ten j^ears has been 700 bushels per year. In the year 
1873 he raised 1,200 bushels of barley. In 1882 he only raised 200 bush- 
els; has always sold to the breweries. His farms are well watered and 
well timbered. 

J. D. MUSSER, farmer and merchant, post-office, River Junction; was 
born in York county, Pennsylvania, October 29, 1842, and came to John- 
son county in fall of 1856. He first lived in Iowa City; then came to Fre- 
mont township three years after, where he has since lived, and followed 
farming, and now owns 140 acres of land. In 1875 he put in a stock of 
dry-goods and groceries at River Junction, and now carries a fine stock 
of goods, and is also postmaster of that place. He was married Novem- 
ber 24, 1863, to Elizabeth Rayner, a daughter of Joseph Rayner, who 
came to this county in 1853. They have six children, viz: Francis, Sarah 
G., Jane E., Mary R., Joseph R., and J. D., Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Nusser are 
members of the Church of God. 

JOHN P. OAKS, farmer and stock-dealer, section 9, Oxford, Iowa; 
was born in Windom county, Vermont, June 4, 1835, where he spent his 
boyhood days, until he was eighteen years of age, when he came to 
Moline, Illinois, where he staid about one year and a half. He then went 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 885 

to Minnesota, where he remained some four years, and gained a good 
property by speculating. In 18.59 he started for Pike's Peak, but did 
not go farther than Nebraska; then came back to Council Bluffs, and 
bought some stock, and then came to Johnson county, and has since been 
engaged in farming, raising stock, and speculating, and now owns 400 
acres of fine land, and has it well improved, and one of the finest country 
residences in the county, and is one of the most enterprising farmers in 
the county. He was married October 11, 1865 to Mary I. Wray, a native 
of Madison township, this county, and a daughter of Carson Wray. 
She departed this life December 17, 1873, and was buried at the Ault 
burying-ground in Madison township. He was again married November 
25, 1879, to Joana Walker, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of 
William Walker of this township. There is one boy, Albert C, by the 
first marriage, and one, John W., by the second. 

CHARLES C. OAKS, farmer and stock raiser, section 11, Oxford, 
Iowa; was born in Windham county, Vermont, June 9, 1833, where he 
spent his early life until he was twenty-two years old; he then came west 
and bought land in Mower county, Minnesota, and taught school; after 
about a year and a half he started for Pike's Peak with his brother, but 
did not go farther than Nebraska; he then went back to Vermont and 
lived there several years and taught school, and enlisted in the spring of 
1861 in the three month's service; after that, went to Connecticut and 
remained there some four years, working at the carpenter and painter's 
trade; then went to Conway, Massachusetts, and lived there four years, 
and came to Johnson county, Iowa, in January, 1869, and is now one of 
the most successful farmers in the county, and owns 610 acres of fine land, 
and pays considerable attention to raising stock. He was married June 
18, 1862, to Caroline Pease, a native of Conway, Franklin county, Massa- 
chusetts; born December 19, 1834. They have four children, viz.: Mir- 
iam P., born June 1, 1865; Loville D., born October 7, 1866; Lovel N., 
born April 1, 1875, and Charles E., born November 19, 1876. Mrs. Oaks 
is a member of the Presbyterian Church. 

ALVA OATHOUT. The subject of this sketch is a farmer, residing 
in Lincoln township; was born 1833, in Montgomery county. New York, 
on a farm; settled in Johnson county, in 1857. He was married in 1862 
to Miss Sophia Wonser, of Iowa City, lived in Iowa City six months, and 
moved to Graham township and lived there ten years; after which time 
settled on the farm on which he now resides. They have a family of four 
childern: Ida, born March, 1863; Anna, born 1865; Rosanna, born 1869; 
Burt, born 1877. Mr. Oathout is a republican in politics, and was elected 
township trustee in the fall of 1876, and has held that office ever since. 

JUSTUS OATHOUT, a resident of Iowa City, and proprietor of the 
brush and broom factory, on Gilbert street; was born February 25, 1828, 
56 



886 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

in Fulton county, New York; came to Johnson county, Iowa, in March, 
1857. He was married September 26, 1852, to Miss Jane Bulman, of New 
York State. This union is blessed with five children : Eveline, wife of 
Milton Ham, of Scott township; Emma, Justus E., Katie and Hattie. He 
is a republican in pohtics. 

REV. KARL F. OBERMAN, post-office Nichols, Muscatine county; 
was born in Germany May 9, 1825, where he attended the university at 
Geisen, Hesse Darmstadt, and passed examination and was admitted to 
preach for the Evangelical denomination in 1846. He also accepted the 
professorship of a college in Frankfort-on-the- Main, where he remained 
until 1850, when he immigrated to the United States, on account of his tak- 
ing an active part in the revolution in 1848, he belonging to the side which 
was striving for a republican government; the opposite party confiscated 
his property, which he inherited from his father's estate. He had letters 
of recommendation to August Belmont, in New York, from noted parties 
in Frankfort, with whom Belmont had dealings, but he being Austrian 
consul did not help him any. He then v/ent to Cincinnati, where he estab- 
lished an educational institute of which he had charge two years, and also 
edited the "German Agriculturalist." In 1854 he came to Iowa and fol- 
lowed his calling as minister of the gospel in Germantown, Jefferson county 
two years, then went to Muscatine, where he preached until 1874. In 1864 
he was a member of the national convention held in Baltimore, when 
Lincoln was nominated the second time, and 1867 was examiner in the 
State University. He also conducted a school in Muscatine fourteen 
years. In 1874 he moved on a farm in Fremont township, this county, 
and now owns 500 acres of fine land, and where he now lives and raises 
fine stock, and also preaches at Nichols station. He has been a member 
of several Republican State and Congressional Conventions, and takes an 
active part in political affairs. He was married Dec. 6, 1851, to Miss 
Mary Krehe, a native of Bavaria, and have had eleven children, seven 
now living: Emma, now Mrs. Weinrich, Adolph, now a druggist in 
Chicago, Louisa, Amalie, Bertha, Mathilda and Marie. Mr. Oberman is 
a member of the A. F. and A. M. at Muscatine, and is corresponding 
member of the historical society of Frankfort-on-the-Main. 

JOSEPH W. O'BRIEN, lumber dealer, Oxford, Iowa; was born in 
Monroe county, Indiana, November 3, 1829, where he lived until he was 
twenty-one years of age. He then came to Iowa City and engaged in 
brick making. In 1854 he returned to Indiana and went to railroading, 
and followed that three years. He then went into the photographing busi- 
ness, and followed that until he went into the army; Oct. 6, 1862, he 
enlisted in company H, 40th Indiana as first sergeant, and was discharged 
by reason of promotion Aug. 31, 1864, and mustered as first lieutenant of 
company C, and July 1, 1865, was commissioned captain of company C, 
and was finally discharged January 23, 1^66. He then engaged in farm- 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 887 

ing in Montgomery county, Indiana, until the fall of 1868, he came to 
Johnson county and is now engaged with Hugh'McCreery, in the lumber 
trade. He is a member of Canopy Lodge No. 290, A. F. & A. M., also 
of Iowa City Chapter, No. 2, also of Palestine Commandery, No. 2, and of 
the M. E. Church. He was married Dec. 8, 1858, to Hester A. Logan, 
a native of Indiana, and they have two children living, viz: Margaret A. 
and George A., and one, Robert P., deceased. 

M. A. O'HAIR, a resident of Iowa City, engaged in the practice of 
law; was born May 14, 18M, County Clare, Ireland. Came to America 
and landed in New York City July 4, 1840. Settled in Iowa in 1866. 
He attended the State University of Iowa, law department, six months, 
and was admitted to practice law at Muscatine, Iowa, June 6, 1878, and 
began the practice of the law in Iowa City that year, in partnership with 
W. F. Conklin. He was married Feb. 19, 1873, to Miss Mary Beatty, of 
Hillsdale, 111. They have one child named Grace. He is a member of 
Social Lodge, No. 231, A. F. A. M., Millersburg, Iowa County, Iowa. He 
is a democrat in politics. 

JAMES O'HANLON, a contractor and builder in Iowa City, and 
the senior member of the firm of O'Hanlon & Sons, in the boot and shoe 
trade on Iowa avenue, near the post-office; was born Jan. 15, 1827, in 
Peterboro, Canada. He was married Jan. 24, 1848. He settled in Iowa 
City, Aug. 14, 1867. Has built sixteen bridges for the C. R. I. & P. R. 
R.; about twenty-one for the C. B. & Q. R. R.; nine large county bridges 
throughout the State and a great man}^ small ones. Is a democrat in 
politics and a member of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church of Iowa 
City. 

WILLIAM O'HANLAN, boot and shoe merchant, of the firm of 
O'Hanlan & Son, of Iowa City, doing business on Capital Avenue. He 
was born April 12th, 1859, in Erie county, Pennsylvania, and settled in 
Iowa City in March, 1867. He is a young man of good business qualifi- 
cations and of study habits. He is a member of the St. Mary Roman 
Catholic Church of Iowa City, and a member of the Iowa City Base Ball 
club. He is a democrat in politics. 

M. C. OGLEVEE, shoemaker. Lone Tree; was born in Harrison 
county, Ohio, Feb. 11, 1854, and is a son of Dr. John Oglevee, who came 
to this county in 1856. He attended the State University, and in 1873 he 
commenced the shoemakers trade in Lone Tree, where he has since car- 
ried on that business. He was married May 14, 1879, to Louisa Pabst, a 
native of Germany, and came to America in 1871. 

JOHN OGLEVEE, physician, Lone Tree; was born in Harrison 
county, Ohio, Aug. 28, 1825, where he spent his early life. He attended 
Franklin College, and commenced the study of medicine in 1844; he grad- 
uated at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1848, he then practiced in Ohio and came to 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Iowa Cit}' in 1855, and practiced there seven years, then went to Palestine, 
Fremont township, where he lived until 1876, when he came to Lone 
Tree, and now enjoys a good practice. He was married in 1850, to 
Tabitha McCollough, also a native of Ohio, she dying March, 1880. 
They have three children, viz: McCollough, Lucy and Ella. 

WILLIAM V. ORR, post-office address, Iowa City; was born in Ken- 
tucky, Nov. 15, 1813, and his occupation is that of a farmer and stock 
raiser and is the owner of 225 acres of good land. When he was a child 
his parents moved to Fayette county, Ohio, where he lived until he was 
twenty years of age; he then went to Elkhart, Indiana, and from there to 
Summerset count}^, Pennsylvania, and from there came to Iowa City, 
April 16, 1859, and the July following moved to his present farm. The 
year 1843, he was married to Miss Boyd, his wife died in 1815, and in 
1848 he married Mrs. Epasin, her maiden name was Porbugh, a native 
of Pennsylvania. They have six children: Cyrus, Mary E., William H., 
Matilda R., Emma E. and Herman, the latter dying at four months of age. 
He is a member of the Lutheran Church. 

MAX OTTO, a resident of Iowa City and editor of the Weekly Post, 
the German paper of Johnson county; was born Dec. 25, 1842, near 
Duesseldorf-on-the-Rhine, Germany; was educated in the Gymnasium 
School of Duesseldorf. Came to America, June, 1866, landing iu New 
York City, and remained there until August, when he settled in Iowa City 
and began teaching school in a two story brick building on the corner of 
Brown and Johnson streets. The building was burned down in 1869. A 
new building was erected and school carried on by Mr. Otto, until 1871. 
The building was sold in 1872. He was married April 4, 1869, to Miss 
Katie Mclnnery of Iowa City, a teacher in the school above mentioned 
for six years. They have six children: Agnes, Clemmie, Ma}^, Ralph 
Joseph and Lucia. Mr. Otto was at one time engaged in a music store 
of his own, from 1872 to 1878, and then began teaching music only until 
1881, when he established the Post, the German paper, and he is still its 
editor. He was connected with the Milwaukee, Chicago and Cincinnati 
German papers, furnishing editorals and correspondence Mr. Otto is a 
democrat in politics. 

ASBY D. PACKARD, the first settler in Hardin township, post-office, 
Windham; was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, July 22, 1816. His 
father. Garret Packard, was a native of Vermont, and one of the pioneers 
of Ohio, and was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died November 20, 
1820, Mrs. Packard (EUenor Britton) surviving him ten years. The 
subject of our sketch then went to live with his uncle, Joseph H. Coult, 
and lived with him six years. He then went to Detroit, and then to Mar- 
shall county, Indiana, and worked in a saw-mill, and about April 1, 1838, 
started west, and came to what is now Johnson county, Iowa, and took 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 889 

up the claim he now lives on in June of that year. He made his home 
with Jonathan Harris the first summer in what is now Liberty township, 
and in October he went to David Switzer's, and during the winter he went 
to the Mississippi river, and cut cord-wood, and returned in the spring, 
and staid with Switzer, except what little he worked on his claim, and in 
the fall returned to the river, and chopped wood again, always walking 
back and forth, packing his knapsack. In the spring of 1841 he returned 
and then remained on his claim, "keeping bach'" until he was married 
April 29, 1845, to Nancy Montgommery, a native of Washington county, 
Pennsylvania. She came to Clear Creek township with her father, James, 
in 1841. They then settled down to the hardships of every day pioneer 
life, Mr. Packard breaking prairie for the early settlers, and kept adding 
more land to his possessions as his means would permit. He also built a 
water saw-mill in 1845, and in 1855 and '50 built a steam mill, and also a 
flour-mill in connection with it, run b}^ ?he same engine, this being a great 
help to the settlers. Both mills being burned in 1864, since then he has 
been engaged in farming and raising stock, and owns a fine farm of 425 
acres. Mrs. Packard died August 26, 1874, leaving seven children, 
viz: Winfield S., now living in Pottawattamie county; Nancy A., Char- 
lotte, Helen A., lola J., Amelia A., and Asby D.; Helen A. dying Febru- 
ary 5, 1878, and Asby D., March 5, 1878. 

G. H. PACKARD, farmer, Hardin township, post-office, Windham; 
was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, December 23, 1820, and came to this 
county in 1840 and bought a claim, where he now resides. In the spring 
of 1843 he went to Wisconsin and remained there five years, and followed 
lead mining. He was married at White Oak Springs, Wisconsin, Febru- 
ary 22, 1848, to Miss Mary T. Easley, a native of Illinois; he then returned 
to his farm the same spring and built a house, and has since lived there, 
and been engaged in farming and raising stock, and owns 388 acres of fine 
land. They have five children living, viz. : Mary E., now Mrs. Wm. 
Andrew, in Nebraska; Lorenzo D., married December 30, 1874, to Miss 
Mary C. Cross, native of Iowa county; Millington A., married to James 
A. Dansdill, December 24,1872; Alice M., now Mrs. D. A. Selby, in 
Nebraska; Clara M., now Mrs. Dansdill, in Washington township. Both 
Mr. and Mrs. Packard, are members of the Evangelical Church. 

EUGENE PAINE, a resident of Iowa City; wholesale and retail coal 
dealer, doing business on the corner of Van Buren and Burlington streets, 
near B., C. R. & N. R. R.; was born March 6, 1839, in Orange county, 
Vermont; came to Johnson county, in July, 1868. He was married July 
4, 1873, to Miss Olivia Brockway, of Randolph, Vermont. They have 
one child: Charles O. Democrat in politics. He has a coal house 16x100 
feet, near the railroad track. 



890 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

STEPHEN E. PAINE, a resident of Iowa City, and book-keeper for 
M. T. Close & Co., at the oil mill; was born March 8, 1830. He was 
married April 8, 1852, to Miss Mary E. Fellows, of Mechanicsville, New 
York. They have three children: Nellie, Mary, and Katie. He came 
to Iowa City in 18-57, and was superintendent of the gas works of Iowa 
City for sixteen years; he began clerking for M. T. Close & Co. in 1874. 
He is a member of the Congregational Church of Iowa City. Republican 
in politics; has held many offices of honor, profit and trust; was mayor of 
Iowa City, 1871-72-73; served as alderman from the fourth ward in 1863, 
'64-09; he was a member of the Iowa City school board, and its president 
in 1804. 

CHARLES H. PALMER, Jr., liveryman, Solon; was born in Solon 
June 29, 18.59. He is a son of C. H. and Cynthia («^g Love) Palmer, both 
natives of Windham county, Connecticut. They were married April 10, 
1842, and worked in the woolen and cotton factories until ]847, when they 
moved to Ohio, and emigrated to Johnson county, Iowa, in 18.50, and in 
1852-.53 built the old Palmer House, which they kept until 1870, Mr. 
Palmer dying November 30, 1878, leaving two sons, Alonzo and Charles 
H., the subject of our sketch, who has been engaged in the livery busi- 
ness since he was fifteen years of age. He now owns the stone livery 
stable at Solon, and is doing a good business. He was married May 10 
1882, to Mary Kintz, daughter of John Kintz of Solon. 

PHILIP PALMER, farmer, Cedar township, post-office, Solon: was 
born in Scotland July, 1838. At the age of fifteen years he went Canada 
with his parents, and followed farming and stock-raising near Ontario, and 
came to the United States in 1877, and now lives m Cedar township, 
where he farms and raises stock, and owns a half interest in a herd of 
Short-horns. He was married December 24, 1870, to Janet Taylor, a 
native of Scotland. The have one boy, David. 

JOHN PARSONS, a farmer and stock-raiser, residing in Graham 
township, post-office address, Morse; was born in 1834, in Summerset- 
shire, England; a son of George and Betty Parsons; came to America in 
18.58, and lived ten years in New York State, and went back to England, 
and remained there six months, and during the time married Miss Jennie 
Ham. They have seven children. They came to America, and finally 
settled in Graham township, Johnson county, Iowa, in lb69. The family 
attends the Methodist Church. 

JOHN PARROTT, residence Scott township, post-office, Iowa City; 
was born in Washington county, Maryland, February 20, 1810. His 
occupation is farming, and owns 100 acres of improved land; he settled 
in John.son county in 1839, and located a claim in section nine, and has 
resided there continually ever since. He was married in Indiana, June 24, 
183.5, to Miss Savannah H. King, a native of Pennsylvania. They have a 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 891 

family of eleven children, four of whom are living; Mary, wife of Albert 
Wescott; Francis A., Emma P., wife of James A. Pinney, and John J.; 
those dead are: George and David W,, who was a member of company 
D, Twentv-fourth Iowa Regiment: died June 16, 1S6S. Mr. Parrott and 
wife were members of the tirst M. E. Church that was ever organized in 
Johnson county, in the fall of 1S39. Mr. Parrott and wife are of the pioneer 
families of Johnson countv. Though death has visited this family seven 
times and taken from them their loved ones, they express themselves as 
feeling that old father time has dealt kindly with them, and that they 
are quietly enjoying life, and tolerable good health for their age. 

BRl'CE PATTERSON, farmer, a resident of Washington township, 
section 21, post-otlice, Frank Pierce; was born December S, 1S12, near 
Utica, Licking countv, Ohio: came to Iowa and settled with his parents 
in Washington township, Johnson county, in October, 1S17. He was 
married December 25, 1S70, to Miss Jennie Van Meter. This union is 
blessed with two children: Ray and Ney. He is a democrat in politics; 
his party has honored him with the office of member of the board of sup- 
ervisor for two terms, and he was elected chairman of the board January, 
1883, and he has proved faithful to every trust confided to his care; he has 
proved himself a successful politician, as well as a successful farmer. He 
owns a well kept farm with plenty of good stock, and comfortablv situated 
in life. 

HON. LEMUEL B. PATTERSON, a practiceing attorney in Iowa 
Cit}', in partnership with Levi Robinson, on Clinton street, since 1800, 
near post-office, the oldest law firm in the State of Iowa; w^as born Sep- 
tember 12, 1821, in Rushville, Indiania; the spring of 1811 found him in 
Iowa Cit}'; he w^as admitted to practice law in 1810. A democrat in 
politics; was city attorney in 1808-70, and again in 1871-70; a member 
of the city council in 1857-59. He was librarian of Iowa territory for 
three years, and w hile in that office drew^ up the first homestead law 
passed in Iowa : he won the railroad bond suit in the supreme court of the 
United States, case of Lucius Clark vs. Iowa City, reported in the 21st 
Wallace, U. S. S. C. R., page 20. He was married May 10, 1851, to Miss 
Jane Hazard; she died in 1850 in Iowa Citv, of cholera; also his little boy 
and hired girl ot the same disease. He has alwa\s taken a lively interest 
in all public interest of Iowa Citv, and has accumulated some valuable city 
property. 

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL JOHN PATTEE, a resident of Iowa 
City; was born July 23, 1820. His father was a Methodist missionary, 
and preached in Canada, where he resided when the subject of this sketch 
was born; he soon moved back to the States. Col. Pattee commanded 
Cos. I, K, L, and M, soldiers from Iowa stationed at forts Randall, SuUey, 
and Sioux City, during the war. He settled in Iowa City in 1851, and 
workeil at the carpenter trade. He was married August 23, 1855, to 



892 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Lidia Lanning of Iowa City, who died February 20, 1869. They had 
one child, the wife of Samuel Fanning. He was married July 7, 1861, to 
Miss Pricilla Clark, sister of the Hon. Ezekiel Clark, of Iowa City. They 
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Iowa City. Col. 
Pattee was auditor of state by appointment in 1855, and was elected in 
1856. He is a republican in politics. He was appointed a special agent 
under the interior department, to secure an agreement with the Sioux 
Indians to let the Ponca Indians return to their old reservation. He was 
the first librarian of the State Historical Society. 

J. G. P ATTON, farmer, post-office River Junction ; was born in Fay- 
ette county, Pennsylvania, October 30, 1840. At the age^of ten he moved to 
Steubenville, Ohio, with his father, who was a printer and one of the old 
Jacksonian men. He published the " Genius of Liberty," at Uniontown, 
Pennsylvania, and claimed to be first man that pushed Jackson's name for 
president, being a personal friend of his. In 1854, he came to Iowa City, 
where he lived until his death, November, 1861. The subject of this 
sketch learned the printer's trade in the old " Capital Reporter " office, 
now the " State Press," commencing when eighteen years of age. In 
September, 186], he enlisted in company F, First Iowa cavalry, and spent 
three years and a half in the army. Since returning from the army he 
has paid his attention to farming, and now owns 140 acres of land. He 
was married December 19, 1864, to Miss Effie Dodder, a native of New 
Jersey. They have six children, viz., William C, Nellie, Fannie, Frank 
M., Charles J., and Effie. Mr. Patton spent two 3^ears in Kansas and was 
constable and deputy sherifl' in Iowa City under M. Cavanaugh two 
years. 

HON. GEORGE PAUL, a farmer and stock-raiser, residing in Clear 
Creek township, j5ost-cfIice address, Iowa City; was born December 25, 
1824, in Petersburg, Pennsylvania; came to Iowa (then called the Black 
Hawk purchase) in 1836, and learned the printer's trade at Fort Madison 
with J. G. Edwards, who owned and started the Burlington Hazvkeye. 
He came to Johnson county in 1841, and was foreman of the Iowa Capi- 
ital Reporter^ and was one of the proprietors from 1847 to 1852. He was 
state prmter in 1850, and sheriff of Johnson county in 1846, also member 
of the board of supervisors of Johnson county for four years, from 1863 
to 1867, and in the Iowa legislature a member from Johnson county for 
the years 1871-73-74-78-79. During his service in 1878 he was success- 
ful in securing an annual endowment for the State University of 1^20,000. 
Repeated efforts had been made to secure this endowment, followed by 
repeated failure. The Hon. M. Bloom rendered valuable service with 
Mr. Paul in securing this endowment. He has many warm friends in 
both political parties, and is well and favorably known throughout the 
state. He is a democrat in politics, of the Andrew Jackson school, and 
well posted on all political questions. He was postmaster of Iowa City 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 893 

under Pierce's administration. He was married December 24, 1843, to 
Miss Vienna Winchester, of Iowa City. They have five children: 
George H., of Sturgis City, Dakota; Charles R., Gilman F., Jennie, wife 
of Henry Lee of Denver, Colorado; and Katie, who died in 1869. He 
was among the first Masons and Odd Fellows in those organizations in 
Iowa City. 

JOSEPH W. PAUBA, a resident of Solon, Big Grove township; was 
born November 25, 1844, in Bohemia; settled in Johnson county in 1870, 
and worked at the harness trade; worked at that ten years. He has been 
in the grain trade five years; built the grain elevator at Solon, a frame 
building three stories high, in May, 1882, with a capacity of 30,000 bush- 
els. He has an average of 350 cars of grain each year since he has been 
in the grain trade. Ships mostly to Chicago, Illinois. He was married 
August 5, 1872, to Miss Mary Bardosh of Linn county, Iowa. They 
have three children: Joseph, Dellie, and Frank. He is a member of the 
Masonic Lodge, No. 385, of Solon, and is a member of the town council 
of Solon. He deals in agricultural implements and farm machinery of all 
kinds; buys all kinds of produce, etc. 

EVAN PAYN, farmer, Solon; was born in Licking county, Ohio, 
December 20, 1812, where he spent his early life and followed farming. 
In the fall of 1845 he emigrated to Iowa, and settled in Big Grove town- 
ship, section 22, and has since lived here. He now owns 233 acres of 
well-improved land, which he has improved himself He was married 
February 9, 1837, to Ruth Hall, a native of Ohio. They have eight chil- 
dren, viz: William H., Rachel A., now Mrs. Wheeler, Mary J., Francis 
M., Esther E., now Mrs. Ulum; Margaret E., now Mrs. Rimion; Henry 
C, and Samuel W. He is a member of the Christian Church. 

E. H. PEFFER, a farmer residing in Penn township, post-office. 
North Liberty; was born March 22, 1818, in Cumberland county, Penn- 
sylvania. He is a hatter by trade, learned and worked at his trade in 
Trumbull county, Ohio. He was married to Miss Liddie A. Brown, of 
Trumbull count}^, Ohio, in 1841. They had the following named chil- 
dren: Sylvester W., William H., John W. and Samuel J. His wife died 
Sept. 28, 1858. He settled in Penn township, Johnson county, Iowa, in 
1866. He married Mrs. Annie Cramer, Feb. 19, 1867. He is engaged 
in raising and m mutacturing of sorghum and has been very successful. 

JAMES PETERS, farmer and stock raiser. Cedar township, post-office, 
Morse; was born in Tipperary, Ireland, in 1832. Son of John and Johanna 
Peters. He came to New York, in 1852, and then moved to Ohio where he 
lived about eighteen months, when he came to Cedar township, and settled 
on a farm, and in 1862 was married to Miss Mary Ryan, daughter of 
Michael and Mary Ryan of Cedar township. They have seven children 
living, four boys and three girls. He is a member of the Catholic Church 



894 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

and a democrat in politics. Mr. Peter owns one of the largest farms in 
Cedar township. 

JOHN PETERS, a farmer and stock raiser, residing in Graham town- 
ship, post-office address, Morse; was born in 18ii2, in Tipperary county, 
Ireland, a son otjohn and Johanna Peters. Came to America in 1848, 
and lived in New York, until 1850, when he moved to Ohio, and Hved 
there until he moved to Iowa City, in 1855. He lived in Iowa City until 
1858, when he moved to Cedar count}'^, Iowa, and lived there until 1864, 
w'hen he settled in Graham township. He was married in 1855 to 
Miss Catharine Butler of Tipperary county, Ireland. They have seven 
children. The family are members of the Roman Catholic Chiuxh. A 
demcrat in politics. 

JOSEPH PITLIK, harness maker, post-office, Solon; was born in 
Bohemia, Dec. 25, 1859, and came to America when seven years of age 
with his parents, Albert and Barbara Pitlik, and settled in Solon, Johnson 
county. In Oct. 1874, he went to learn the harness making trade at Car- 
rol), Carroll county, Iowa, and worked there four years and a half. He 
then worked in Cedar Rapids two years, and in February, 1881, he 
started a shop of his own in Solon and keeps a good stock on hand. In 
March, 1882, he was elected marshal of Solon and made a good and effi- 
cient officer. 

JOHN A. PICKERING, a resident of Iowa City, and proprietor of 
China Hall, the only store in Iowa City dealing exclusively in this line of 
goods, and occupies rooms in the Odd Fellows building, on the corner of 
Dubuque and College street; was born March 2, 1855, in Warwickshire, 
England; came to America in 1856, landed in New York city, and to Iowa 
City in 1857, and bought the China Hall store and became successor to 
C. M. Reno in 1877; he now occupies two rooms 25x80 feet in the Odd 
Fellow's building, on the corner of College and Dubuque streets. No. 122, 
129 College, and 132 Dubuque street; he is a wholesale and retail dealer 
and importer of china, glass and fancy goods, toys, cutlery, silver-ware, 
chandeliers, brackets, lamps and trimmings, of all kinds. China Hall was 
established in 1866. 

SAMUEL J. PLYMESSER, a resident of Tiffin, Clear Creek town- 
ship; was born October 10, 1838, in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania; 
his father came to Wayne county, Ohio, and lived their eight years, and 
when Samuel was about eleven years of age his parents moved to Johnson 
county, Iowa, and settled here in 1849; in 1874 he began busines in Tiffin, 
Iowa, as a grain merchant, selling coal, lumber and pumps; he was station 
agent for the C, R. I. & P. R. R. for six years. He was married January 
1, 1866, to Miss Mary J. Moreland; she died February 10, 1882. This 
union was blessed with three children: Ira E., John S., and Garfield A. 
A republican in politics, and always takes a lively interest in political affairs. 



HISTORV OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 895 

He formed a partnership in 1875 with J. M, Douglass in the grain busi- 
ness, which partnership still continues. He was a soldier in the Federal 
army in the Sixth Iowa Infantry, and was wounded in the left knee, at 
Missionary Ridge; he received a sun-stroke at Jackson, [Mississippi, in 
July, 1863, and a second sun-stroke in June, 1864; he went into the army 
as a private, and was promoted to first lieutenant, commanding the com- 
pany; he went into the service in July, 1861, and served until July, 1865; 
he is still slightly crippled in the knee. He is one of Tiffin's most active 
and enterprising citizens. 

SAMUEL PLYMESSER; born November 27, 1811, Lebanon county, 
Pennsylvania: moved to Smith ville, Ohio, in 1841, and settled in Johnson 
county, Iowa, in 1849; entered the land upon which he now resides, Madi- 
son township; his post-office address in North Liberty. He married Miss 
Abigail Weltmore, of Cumberland countv, Pennsvlvania, April 15, 1834. 
They have five children living: Samuel J., Isaiah, Simeon, Willis and 
Amanda. A republican in politics. Has a fine comfortable home, and 
lives well; has never sought an otBce, and for that reason is a happy and 
contented man. 

H. F. POGGENPOHL, a resident of Liberty township, and the 
patentee of the " Excelsior Bee-hive," patented June 5, 1877; post-office, 
Iowa City; was born January 30, 1825, in Germany; came to America in 
1846; came to Iowa City in 1852. He was married in Januar}^ 1849, to 
Miss Mary Hergenpern, of Germany; she died October 24, 1882. They 
have three children : Henry, Frank, and Amelia. He is a member of the 
Catholic Church. A democrat in politics. He has had upwards of fort}-- 
six years experience in bee-keeping, and has paid close attention to the 
improvement of bee-hives in every detail; the points of excellence in his 
bee-hives are the hollow walls and the perfect system of ventilation of the 
brood chamber that allows all foul air to escape, and preventing the mois- 
ture from the bees, respiration congealing and forming frost that always 
proves fatal to the bees when it melts and sours the honev. The bee busi- 
ness has become a ver}' extensive enterprise in Johnson county. It should 
be made a criminal offense for men engaged in the bee culture to feed 
glucose to their bees, and no doubt will be a subject of legislation on 
that point. 

THOMAS POHLER, a resident of Iowa City, doing business on 
South Dubuque street, number 213; was born September 18, 1849, in 
Baden, Germany; came to America in 1852. He is a member of the St. 
Mary's Roman Catholic Church of Iowa City. A democrat in politics. 
He is a partner with his brother-in-law, Mr. Enig, in the fine twv story 
brick building, on Iowa Avenue, near the Universalist Church. 

WM. H. POOLE, jeweler, post-office, Oxford; was born in Delaware 
county, Ohio, August 24, 1850, and came to Iowa with his parents. 



896 HISTORV OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Thomas and Elizabeth Poole, in 1854, and settled in Johnson county, where 
he has since resided, and was raised on a farm until the age of twenty-one, 
when he went to learn the jewelers' trade at Iowa City, and in October, 
1873, he went into business for himself in Oxford. He was married June 
6, 1873, to Miss Jennie Rawlings, a daughter of Rev. G. W. Rawhngs of 
this town. They have been blessed with three children: Clarence E., 
Frankie E., and William H., Jr. He is the manager of the Iowa Tele- 
phone and Telegraph Company, at Oxford; he is also a member of 
Canopy Lodge, No. 290, A. F. & A. M. 

JOHN W. PORTER. The subject of this sketch was born April 26, 
1839, in Wooster, Wayne county, Ohio, died in Iowa City, Dec. 7, 1882. 
He was educated at Bethany, West Virginia, and was there at the break- 
ing out of the late civil war. He came to Iowa City and entered the 
State University of Iowa. He enlisted July 26, 1862, in company F, 22d 
regiment Iowa volunteer infantry, and was commissioned first lieutenant 
Sept. 10, 1862, and was promoted to adjutant of the regiment, Dec, 20, 
1862. He resigned and came home in Februar}', 1863. His father died 
in 1863, and Mr. P. successfully conducted that business until 1870. He 
formed a partnership with Capt. J. A. L. Tice, March 18, 1868, in the 
lumber business; in 1874 bought out Tice, and went in with P. Musser, 
and in 1878 bought out Mr. Musser, and conducted the business until his 
death. In all his business enterprises he was a success. A republican in 
politics, and always took a lively interest in all public matters of import- 
ance to that party. He was a member of the school board for ten years, 
and its treasurer for four years. He was a director of the State Agricul- 
tural Society for two years, and its president in 1881 and 1882. Was 
president of the National Association of Lumber Dealers in 1878 and 1879, 
and was a director at the time of his death. Was president of the Inter- 
State Association of the Board of Agriculture, organized Nov. 9, 1881, in 
Chicago, 111. He was a director in the Iowa City National Bank, and a 
member of the board of trade of Iowa City. He was a faithful and con- 
sistent member of the Christian Church of Iowa City. He was married 
March 4, 1863, to Miss Louisa Morseman, daughter of Dr. M.J. Morse- 
man, of Iowa City. They have three children living: Charles M., Nel- 
lie M. and Edgar K. Mrs. Porter is a member of the Christian Church 
of Iowa City. 

L. D. PORCH, a blacksmith in Iowa City; was born Feb. 3, 1845, in 
Knox county, Ohio. Settled in Iowa City Oct. 28, 1870. Opened his 
present blacksmith shop, wagon and carriage and repair factory in 1877, 
on the corner of College and Capitol streets. He is doing a fine business; 
making the repair of farm machinery and plows a specialty. He has a 
fine steam engine of eight horse power, in a fine brick building. He was 
married July 3, 1867, to Miss Samantha M. Wells, of Fredricktown, Knox 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 897 

county, Ohio. They have one child Lloyd, acre 12 years. He is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic and Odd Fellows Lodges of Iowa City, and of the A. 
O. U. W. A republican in politics. He was marshal one year of Iowa 
City in 187G. 

D. A. PRATT, post-office Solon; was born in Kennebec county, Maine, 
August 22, 1824, where he spent his early life until twelve years of age, 
when his father. Cotton T. Pratt, moved to Ohio, near Cleveland, where 
they lived four years; they then emigrated to Johuson county, Iowa, and 
settled in section 31, Cedar township, in 1810, where they entered land. 
Mr. C. T. Pratt dying Feb. 12, 1840, one week after they landed here. 
Mrs. Fannie Pratt was left with five children, of which the subject of this 
sketch was the oldest, and he has since lived here, with the exception of 
from 1841 to 1848, he was in Wisconsin. He now owns 123 acres of land 
besides town property, and is also engaged in the lumber trade. He 
was married February, 1848, to Miss Rachel M. McCormick, a native of 
Clinton county, Ohio. They had seven children, six now living, viz: 
Fannie E., now Mrs. Kissler, Olla R., now Mrs. Templeman, Mary, now 
Mrs Bush, Annie M., now Mrs. Connelly, Adda L., now Mrs. Rogers and 
Charles A. 

W. T. PRATT, merchant, Solon; was born in this town August 23, 
1859. He is a son of Charles and Annie Pratt, of this township. He 
attended the academy and commercial college at Iowa City, and in the fall 
of 1879 he commenced business in the drug trade in Solon, and now owns 
a fine stock of hardware and drugs, and also owns a dry goods and mil- 
linery store in Solon. He is a 5^oung man of fine business qualities, and 
is doing a flourishing business. He was married December 2, 1878, to 
Miss Anabel L. Jolly, a native of Indiana. They have one daughter, 
Hortense B. 

CHARLES PRATT, farmer and stock-raiser, Solon; was born in 
Maine, February 23, 1823. At the age of eight his father. Cotton T. 
Pratt, moved to Cuyahoga county, Ohio, and lived near Cleveland four 
years, and in January, 1840, emigrated to Iowa, and settled in section 31, 
Cedar township, Mr. Pratt dying about one week after they came here. 
Here the subject of this sketch spent his early life, and in the spring of 1849 
went to California with a company from this county, and remained there 
until 1853, and was engaged in mining and farming. He then returned 
to Johnson county, and attended school in Mt. Vernon, and afterwards 
engaged in the mercantile business one year in Marshalltown, and six 
years in Solon. He then bought the farm he now lives on, in 1862, where 
he now owns 532 acres of well-improved land, and has a fine brick resi- 
dence, and pays special attention to the raising of fine stock, and is one of 
the leading wool-growers of the county. He was married October 19, 
1858 to Miss Annie M. True, a native of Maine, and came to Iowa in 



898 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

1857. They have four children, viz: Wm. T., Melville E., Lula A., and 
an infant unnamed. 

JACOB F. PRICE, machinist, post-office, North Liberty; was born 
Aug. 17, 1847, in Bedford county, Penns34vania, two miles from Bedford. 
He is the son of Valentine and Catharine Price. At the age of fourteen, 
Jacob worked eight months at blacksmithing and then went to work in a 
machine shop. In 1846 he enHsted in the Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania Regi- 
ment, under Colonel Jackson, was engaged in the battles of Hatters Run, 
Virginia, and Five Forks. Got his ankle put out of place at Pittsburg 
and was sent to Washington hospital. He saw President Lincoln, after 
he was shot, and helped guard a doctor who was charged with complicity 
in his murder. He was discharged in 1865. Aug. 1, 1866, he came to 
Iowa and settled in Johnson count3\ Dec. 25, 1867, he was married to 
Miss Sarah Lentz of this county. They have five children: Emma E., 
Robert K., Annie M., Arthur M. and Nellie B. Mr. Price has followed 
threshing every season but one since he came to Iowa, and then he was 
engaged in making molasses. He is a member of the I. O* O. F. A 
democrat in poUtics. 

A. O. PRICE, a resident of Scott township, post-office Iowa City; 
lives on section twenty-one, occupation, farming; was born Sept. 18, 1836, 
in the State of New York. Settled in Johnson county in 1868. He was 
first married in Michigan in 1869. Two children by his first wife, both 
dead and his wife died two years after their marriage. He married for 
his second wife Miss Hardsock of Johnson county, Iowa, in 1873. He is 
a member of the Presbyterian Church of Iowa City, and is a republican 
in politics. He has held the office of town clerk for eight years, never 
having any opposition in the republican party. 

RICHARD W. PRYCE, M. D. The subject of this sketch was 
during his life time a practicing physician and surgeon in Iowa City and 
a partner of Dr. Shrader. He was born May 5, 1843, died Feb. 3, 
1877, in Denver, Colorado, of consumption. He served two years in the 
Federal arm3\ He studied medicine and graduated from Jeflerson Col- 
lege, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in March, 1868. Came to Iowa City 
and engaged in the practice the fall of the same year. He was a member 
of Lodge No. 4, A. F. and A. M. of Iowa City. He was eminently suc- 
cessful in his profession and always ready without respect of person, to 
minister at the bed-side of the sick and dying. 

CAPT. S. D. PRYCE, a resident of Iowa City, and a merchant 
doing business on the corner of Washington and Dubuque streets; came to 
Iowa City from Cambria county, Pennsylvania, in 1861, and at the time 
of the breaking out of the war was a student in the State University. He 
enlisted as a private June 27, 1862, in company A, Twenty-second regi- 
ment Iowa volunteer infantry, at nineteen years of age. He was pro- 



HISTORV OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 899 

moted from private to sergeant-major on the battle field at Port Gibson, 
from sergeant-major to adjutant of the Twenty-second regiment. January 
14, 1864, and to captain of company A, Twenty-second regiment October 
1, 1864, on staff duty as adjutant-general of the first brigade, third divi- 
sion, ninteenth army corps, with General Molineaux of New York. Cap- 
tain Pryce was the youngest officer on staff duty in the volunteer service. 
His rapid promotion from private to the most responsible position of 
adjutant of a brigade is evidence of the high esteem in which he was held 
by his brother officers, and the confidence they reposed in him. He is a 
republican in politics; has been twice nominated by his party as their can- 
didate for representative, and both times declined the nomination. He 
was elected county superintendent by an almost unanimous vote of both 
parties; resigned the office and accepted a position in Bryant & Stratton's 
College of Chicago, Illinois. He is not an office seeker, but alwa3^s takes 
a lively interest in all questions concerning the policy and welfare of his 
party. He possesses a cultivated literary mind, and has had a vast exper- 
ience as a writer, and at one time was connected with the Iowa City 
Refuhlican. He is a member of the Masonic bodies of Iowa City, and 
other benevolent societies. He began business in 1876 in partnership with 
W. J. Schell in the hardware and farm machinery trade. The firm is 
recognized as one of the most successful and prosperous in Iowa City. 

FRANK J. PUDIL, a blacksmith residing in Shueyville, post-office 
Shuey ville ; was born April 34, 1855, in Bohemia, Austria ; came to America 
in the fall of 1861, and settled in Jefferson township the same 3^ear. He was 
married February 24, 1879, to Miss Mar}' Chadiena, of Fairfax township 
in Linn county. They have two children, Mary and Willie. Mr. Pudil 
is a democrat in politics. He was elected justice of the peace in 1880. 
Voted against the prohibitory constitutional amendment. He is a member 
of the literary society, a readmg club at Western. He is a hard-working, 
industrious, honest, and upright citizen, doing a splendid business at his 
trade. 

BENJAMIN PRICE, a dentist residing in Iowa City, doing business 
on Clinton street; was born February 28, 1844, in Barnsville, Belmont 
county, Ohio. He settled in Iowa in 1868, at Wilton Junction, and began 
the practice of dentistry, and came to Iowa City in 1871. He was mar- 
ried October 12, 1869, to Miss P. Milnes, of Springdale, Cedar county, 
Iowa. They have four children: Stella H., Louis R. George M., and 
Ralph. A member of the Congregational Church of Iowa City; a mem- 
ber of the Masonic bodies of Iowa City; a republican in politics. 

REV. JAMES QUINN, the present pastor of the Catholic Church at 
Windham ; was born in county Kilkenny, Ireland, March 2, 1851. He first 
went to a county school, and at the age of sixteen to the Christian Brothers 
at Waterford. After being there two years, studying the lower branches, with 



900 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

some Latin, he went to St. Kerran's College, Kilkenny, where he remained 
six years, studying the classics, logic, and physics. At this time he made 
up his mind to go on a foreign mission, and returned to Waterford to complete 
his theological studies. He remained there three years at St. John's College, 
and was ordained priest m the cathedral ot that place by the Right Rev. 
Bishop Power, on the 20th of June, 1878. After his ordination he 
remained with his parents four months, and then came to America in 
October, 1878. He arrived in Dubuque in November, and after a short 
stay there was appointed assistant priest at Des Moines, where he spent 
two years and five monts, and was appointed by Father Brazil, pastor of 
Windham, April 1, 1881. 

F. W. RABENAU, a resident of Iowa City, engaged in buying 
grain and selling agricultural implements; was born in February, 1818, in 
Armstadt, Germany; came to America in 1840, landed in New York city, 
and finally settled in Iowa in 1849, in Linn county, at Lisbon; kept store 
there twenty-five 3'ears, bought grain and all kind of [farm products, and 
bought stock; he moved into Johnson county on his farm near Solon, in 
1872, and lived there three years, and moved to Iowa City; he bought an 
interest in the oat meal mill at Coralville, and his business is to buy oats 
for that mill. He was married in 1851 to Miss Agnes Stoltz, of Milwaukee, 
Wisconsin. This union is blessed with nine children, seven boys and two 
girls: WiUiam F., John W., Frank W., George W., Charles, Edward, 
Samuel, Maria, and Ella. A democrat in politics, and is at present one of 
the trustee of Iowa City township. 

CYRUS S. RANK, a practicing attorney of Iowa City; was born 
March 31, 184.5, in Union county, Pennsylvania; settled in Iowa City July 
9, 1872. He was admitted to the bar in Iowa City in June, 1871, gradu- 
ated in the law department, and commended the practice here in 1874. 
He was married January 1, 1873, to Miss Lillie V.Jack, of Iowa City. 
This union is blessed with two children: Elouise and Lucile. A demo- 
crat in politics; he was elected city attorney in 1880, and re-elected in 
1882; he was chairman of the democratic county central committee, and 
the vote of Johnson county of 1882, attests how well he performed his 
duties to his party. His legal ability is recognized by the profession, and 
is considered a very successful lawyer, and enjoys the confidence of his 
clients. 

JOSEPH RAYNER, farmer, post-office. River Junction ; was born in 
Yorkshire, England, January, 1812, where he spent his early life until 
1852; he came to America and stopped one winter at Altoona, Pennsyl- 
vania; then came to Iowa and settled in Johnson county, where he 
he has since lived, and followed farming, and buying and shipping stock; 
he owns 240 acres of land. He was married in England to Elizabeth 
Raw, who is still living. They have five children, viz. : Joseph, Eliza- 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 901 

beth, now Mrs. J. D. Musser; William, Frank, and George. Mr. Rayner 
is a member of the Reform Church at Lone Tree. 

WESLEY REDHEAD, was born in Penrith, Northumberland county, 
England, July 22, 1825. He emigrated with his parents from there in 
1829; landing in Montreal, Canada, where his father started a dry goods 
store (having followed the same business in the old country). He con- 
tinued in business two years, and until the cholera of 1831-'2, which was 
very fatal in that country. The mother was first stricken and died in 
four hours after the attack. The father survived the " good wife " but 
two weeks, when God called him. His death was by brain fever; the 
family left was one girl and six boys, of which Wesley was next to the 
youngest, being at that time six years old. He was taken, together with 
a brother next older, by an uncle to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he lived until 
fourteen years of age, going to school a small portion of the time and 
working as devil in a printing office the remainder. He was one of the 
first news boys now so common in our large cities. In 1839 his uncle, 
thinking he was, as the saying is, going to the devil by acting the devil 
in a printing office, so he sent him to live with the oldest brother who was 
then carrying on the cabinet making business in East Fairfield, a small 
town in the northern part of Vermont. In going there the route was via 
Ohio river to Portsmouth, Ohio, then by the Ohio canal to Cleveland, 
thence by the lake to Buffalo, thence by canal to Whitehall, thence lake 
Champlain to St. Albans, thence by stage twelve miles to East Fairfield. 
It took three weeks to make the trip. Now it could be made in as many 
days. Wesley lived with his brother four months and could not stand it 
any longer, so he ran away. His entire capital consisted of five cents in 
cash and a very common suit of clothes. He walked to St. Albans and 
managed to work his way to Whitehall, where he hired out to drive 
horses on the canal. Any one acquainted with the section he ran away 
from could not possibly blame him, for it was certainly at that time the 
most God forsaken country on the tace of the earth. After working on 
the canal during that season he hired out to a farmer in Washington 
county. New York, for his board and clothes and a three months school- 
ing during the winter and so worked for two years, when he went to 
Saratoga Springs and got an engagement as dipper boy at the Congress 
Springs — staying there two seasons. He laid up a little money and 
returned to Cincinnati, his friends not having heard from him for five years, 
they scarcely recognized him. He then hired out as cabin boy on a steam- 
boat bound for the upper Mississippi. When he arrived at Bloomington, 
(now Muscatine) in September, 1844, having a brother living at Iowa 
City, he concluded to go there and see him, so in company with others 
they hired a hack and arriving at Iowa City late at night, he stopped at 
Swan's Hotel. Just before starting from Bloomington, to accommodate a 
57 



902 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Stranger he changed a three dollar bill for him, and upon arriving at Iowa 
City he gave it to the driver for his fare. After getting to sleep the 
driver came and woke him up saying the bill was a bad one. It was 
very startling news to him, as he had but very little left, and on counting 
what he had he found that he had just enough to pay the driver, and for his 
supper and lodging, and nothing left to pay for his breakfast, so like an 
honest young man he went without it. He obtained employment in the 
office of the Iowa Capitol Reporte?', conducted by Jessie Williams, Esq., 
who was then territorial printer, at $3.00 per week, agreeing to do the 
devil work of the office, and set a column a day. The constitution ot the 
State was printed that winter, and he had the honor of giving it its color 
with the ink roller in the capacity of devil. The next year, 1845, he went 
to Anamosa, Jones county, to run a carding machine, having had a little 
experience in that business in the east. While getting along ver}^ pros- 
perously he was taken with the bilious fever; after getting 
over that he was taken with the fever and ague which was then 
the curse of a new country. He had to give up his situation. He 
returned to Iowa City and had the chills for nine months. Not 
able to do any hard work, in order to support himself, learned the 
tailoring business, and served three years time, and worked at the trade as 
jour tailor until the winter of 1851, when he concluded to hunt a location 
to start in business for himself. He selected Fort Des Moines, where he 
carried on the business for one year. The business being always distaste- 
ful to him, at the end of that time he obtained a situation as clerk in a store, 
where he worked for nearly one year at $25 per month; boarding him- 
self. He was then appointed postmaster by President Filmore. He was 
the successor of Hoyt Sherman, Esq., who resigned the office because it 
did not pay him to keep it. Soon after getting the office he started a 
very small book store in connection with the office. It was the fourth 
book store started in the state. His sales at that time, — as his old books 
show — were an average of about $5 per week. The average sales of the 
firm of Redhead, Wellslager & Co., of which Wesley is the senior mem- 
ber, average ebout $600.00 per day — showing that a small begining faith- 
fully lived up to will continue to grow. He held the office of postmaster 
for nearly nine years. When he resigned the office, it was one of great 
profit. He has never suffered himself to remain idle, although he is 
possessed of sufficient means to live comfortable during his life. He has 
for the last seven years been giving his personal attention to the business 
of the Des Moines Coal Company, a business he started for the purpose 
of developing the interests of Des Moines. He is principal owner, secre- 
tary and superintendent; also secretary and treasurer of the Black 
Diamond Coal Company, in Marion county; director of the Iowa National 
Bank. He is also carrying on a large farm, and at his beautiful subur- 
ban home, situated a mile and a half from his business, to occupy his 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 903 

leisure time he has engaged in raising fine Berkshire hogs. His herd 
is said to be the finest in the state. You can see Wesley has not much 
time to be idle. He does not waste any time in litigation, never having 
been sued and never suing any one. He has been married twice, the first 
time in October, 1851, to Miss Isabel Clark, of Iowa City, a sister of Hon. 
Ezekiel Clark, and a sister of the wives of Ex-Governor Kirkwood, 
Edward Lucas, I. E. Jewett and Wm. Rutton of Iowa City, as noble a 
family of women as was ever raised in the old Buckeye state — they being 
born and raised near Mansfield, Ohio. He lived in uninterrupted happi- 
ness with his chosen helpmate for seven years, which were the happiest 
of his life, when God called her to a higher and better life; no children 
blessed this union. In 1860 he led to the altar Miss Annie Seymour, who 
was raised in Kentuck}^, she being a ward of Judge McHenry, and came 
to Des Moines in 1857. They have living five children— three boys and 
two girls and one girl, their first, in heaven. Theirs is a very happy 
family, not having any of the discord so common in many families of our 
land. The parents both being orphans, they have adopted Mrs. Burges 
for their mother who lives with them and has all the rights and privileges 
their own mother, could possibly have under any circumstances. 

We have written this sketch a great deal longer than most of the 
sketches in this history, for the reason that it affords a good model for 
young men, and is rather a remarkable life. It gives a life lesson to boys 
starting without any of the advantages that most have, and has been suc- 
cessful from his own merits alone, and any young man with fixed pur- 
doses of honesty, industry and frugality, which is far better to start with 
than a capital of greenbacks, can make his way in the world as well as 
the subject of this sketch and arrive at competence and respectability. 

J. A. REDFIELD, Jr., post-office, Oxford; was born in Adrian, 
Michigan, September 22, 1856. The fall of 1868 moved to Toledo, Ohio, 
where he clerked for several years, and in 1877 attended College in 
Toledo, and the fall of 1877 came to Oxford, and opened a store in what 
is known as the Wagner building, under the firm name of J. A. Redfield 
& Co., and in November, 1878, moved in a new brick built by Mrs. H. 
Kennedy, and continued in business until the night of January 16, 1879, 
when the building and contents were destroyed by fire; he having about 
lf)12,000 of a stock; insured for $8,100; since then he has been engaged as 
clerk in Oxford stores. The spring of 1881 he bought the stock of Moftet 
& O'Brien for A. P. Robert, and clerked for him about one year, and in 
May went to Shelby, Iowa, in the mercantile business. 

JACOB REES, a resident of Iowa City, on the old Dubuque road, at 
the wine garden; was born March 5, 1816, at Wittemberg, Germany; 
came to America in 1852, and settled in Johnson county, April, 1854. He 
began grape culture in 1862, and had the first grapes raised in Johnson 
county, got his first plants from Hungary, called the "White Hungarian 



904 HISTORV OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

grape," a medium size grape, the shape of a bird's <ig^; he got grapes 
the next year after he set out his plants; he renewed his dying vines with 
the Concord; he began making wine in 1865; he has about two acres of 
a vineyard. Mr. Rees was married May 10, 181:2, to Miss Agatha 
Steple, of Wittemberg. This union is blessed with one child: Frank, born 
Februar}' 7, 1859. He accidentalt}' shot himself in June, 1883, but the 
result is not serious, not being in any way crippled. Mr. Rees was in the 
German army in the war against Russia, in 1811 ; he was wounded in the 
battle of Grimm; he was first lieuteuant in the third company of the Fifth 
Regular Infantry, and served seven years; he was wounded in the left 
knee, and sHghtly in the right shoulder. He was by trade a clock and 
organ maker. The family are members of the St. Mary's Catholic Church 
of Iowa City. He is a democrat in politics. 

PATRICK REGAN, a resident of Iowa City, having just retired 
from his farm in Lincoln township, Johnson county, in order to give his 
children the advantages of the school facilities of Iowa City; was born 
March 17, 1816, in County Cork, Ireland; came to America in 1843, 
landed at Quebec. He settled in New York State and lived there until 
1865; in the spring he settled in Lincoln township, Johnson county, Iowa. 
He was married in November, 1848, to Miss Mary E. Berry, in Rochester, 
New York; she was a native of Ireland. This union is blessed with six 
boys and three girls: John, Charles, Richard, Patrick, Philip and Corne- 
lius; Margaret, wife of James Hanlet, of Green county, Iowa: Mary and 
Ella. The family are members of the St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church 
of Iowa City. He is a democrat in politics. Has served as member of 
the school board in Lincoln township. 

CHARLES M. RENO, a resident of Iowa City; born June 1, 1846, 
in Iowa City. He is now engaged in the coal trade, otfice on Washing- 
ton street, near B. C. R. & N. R. R. freight depot, established June 1? 
1882. He was county treasurer two terms, ending January 1, 1882. He 
resigned the office of citj' treasurer in 1877 to accept the office of county 
treasurer. He was elected city treasurer in April, 1877. He was a mem- 
ber of the city council prior to being elected city treasurer. He was 
secretary of the city school board prior to being elected to the city coun- 
cil. His father, Morgan Reno, was the first State Treasurer of Iowa. 
His father came to Iowa City in 1839, and engaged in the banking busi- 
ness in Iowa City, and died here July 9, LS69. His widow and two chil- 
dren, Charles and a daughter, are still living in the city. Charles M. 
Reno was married November 1, 1870, to Miss Hattie A. Hartman of 
Milan, Ills. They have four children, Morgan C, Sanford H., Abigail 
and Margaret. He is a democrat in politics, a member of the A. O. U. 
W. and Legion of Honor. He was engaged in merchandising for nine 
years before being elected county treasurer, in what was called China Hall 
on Washington street, Iowa City, selling China, crockery and glass ware. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 905 

and he is now engaged selling the Star Company coal from What Cheer, 
and hard coal, and doing a good business. 

MILTON REMLEY, was born October 12, 1844, in Greenbrier 
county, Virginia; settled in Johnson county, Iowa, in November, 1855, 
graduated at the State University in June, 1867. Read law under C. R. 
Scott of Anamosa, and was admitted to practice at the Johnson county 
bar in May, 1868, and practiced at Anamosa four years. He begun the 
practice in Iowa City in 1874; was a member of the city council in Ana- 
mosa; was nominated for district attorney by the republicans in 
the eighth judicial district. He was married September 8, 1868, to Miss 
Josephine Dennis, of Tiffin, Iowa. They have three children: Hubert, 
Jessie A. and George E. He is a member of the Baptist Church of Iowa 
City, a member of the A. O. U. W., Legions of Honor, Royal Arcanum 
and the Odd Fellows of Iowa City. 

GEORGE RENTZ, merchant, and mayor of Oxford, Iowa; was born 
in Wertemberg, Germany, April 26, 1848. At the age of six he came 
with his parents to the United States, and first settled in the State of New 
York, where they lived two years. They then came to Johnson county, 
but afterward moved to Iowa county. In 1866-67 he attended the State 
University of Iowa City, then clerked for Leibold & Deitz for some time, 
and in 1869 he commenced business with his father in Iowa City under 
the firm name of B. Rentz & Son in the grocery business, and in 1871 
they moved to Oxford and added a general stock of dry goods and 
notions. After two years he bought out his father, and has since contin- 
ued in the business, and now carries a stock of about $25,000, the largest 
stock in Oxford, and is doing a flourishing business. He has served in 
several terms of township offices, and the spring of 1881 was elected 
mayor, an office he still holds, and is a good and efficient officer. He was 
married January 10, 1875, to Miss Elizabeth Knortz, also a native of Ger- 
many. They have two children: Charles B. and George P. Mr. Rentz 
is a member of Canopy Lodge No. 290, A. F. & M., also of Palestine 
Commandery No. 2, also of Iowa City Chapter No. 2, and also of the 
A. O. U. W., and of the German Lutheran Church. 

FRANCES RETTEMEYER, a resident of Iowa City, and a dealer 
in wood; was born December 22, 1820, in Bavaria, Germany. He came 
to America in 1849, and landed in New York City. He finally settled in 
Iowa City, Johnson county, March 29, 1856. He has been engaged in 
various business enterprises, and always considered labor honorable. He 
owned and operated a boat on the Iowa river at one time. He has been 
very successful in his labors, and has accumulated considerable property. 
He has raised a family of children and taught them the importance of 
work as the necessary part of gaining a living. He is a democrat in poli- 
tics. The family are members of ths St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church 
of Iowa City. 



90G HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

FRANK J. RETTEMEYER, a resident of Iowa City, and the junior 
member of the firm of En^lert & Rettemeyer of the City Brewery; was 
born July 25, 1853, in Iowa City. He was married February 28, 1876, 
to Miss Mary Ensrlert of Iowa City. They have three children: Louis 
F., Clara F., Frank G. A democrat in politics. The famil}' are members 
of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church of Iowa City. 

JOHN REYNOLDS, a farmer in Hardin township, post-office address, 
"Windham; was born August 15, 1817, in Antrim, Ireland; came to 
America in 1841, and to Johnson county in 1856; settled in Oxford town- 
ship, and moved onto his present farm in 1865. He was married March 
3, 1851, to Miss Anna Williams. They have seven children: Francis, who 
died in 1879; Mary, wife of James McCabe of Iowa City; Katie, Theresa, 
both school teachers; John, Maggie, and Thomas. The family are mem- 
bers of St. Peter's Church at Windham. He is a democrat in politics; 
tilled the office of justice of the peace, two terms in Oxford township, and 
in Hardin township has filled the office of township trustee, and assessor, 
and has just entered upon his third term as justice of the peace in January, 
1883. 

EDWARD R. RICORD. The subject of this sketch, was born Feb- 
ruary 17, 1814, in the state of Delaware. His father, Thomas Ricord, 
settled in Iowa City in 1840. Edward settled on Old Man's creek, in Iowa 
county, one mile from the Indian boundary line, on section 3, township 78, 
and lived upon his claim until 1870, when he moved to Washington county 
with his post-office address, Amish, Johnson county. He was married 
January 9, 1839, to Miss Jane Gilliand, in Fayette county, Indiana. They 
have the following children; Mary, lola, Ann, Laura, wife of Walter M. 
Stover; Addie, wife of George W. Stover, of Marengo, Iowa: Jennie, 
Race, and Lee. Mrs. Ricord died March 11, 1877, and September 5, 
1880, he married Almira Patterson, but the angel of death was near, and 
on tfie 23d day of June, 1881, after a well-spent life, passed to his reward. 
He was the veteran pioneer of Iowa county, being the first settler he 
•made the first claim, built the first cabin, and broke the first prairie. The 
first election held in Iowa county was at his cabin, and he was elected one 
of the first county commissioners, and helped organize the count}^ It was 
the first and only office he ever held or would ever have. He was for 
twenty-five years one of Iowa county's most prominent and enterprising 
citizens. 

JACOB RICORD, the present popular and efficient postmaster of 
Iowa City, was born September 26, 1816, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 
His father, Thomas Ricord, moved from the state of Delaware to Phila- 
delphia in 1815, and in 1817 settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, with his wife and 
two children, Edward and Jacob. ,The journey was made over the 
Alleghany mountains in a wagon drawn by one horse, taking them six 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 907 

weeks. From Cincinnati he moved to Dearborn county, Indiana, and on 
the 4th day of March, 1840, we find him and his family in Iowa City. 
Mr. Ricord was a shoemaker by trade when he came to Iowa City, and 
became a merchant dealer in boots and shoes and carried on that business 
in Iowa City until June 14, 1880, when he was appointed by President 
Hayes the postmaster of Iowa City. He was mayor of Iowa City in 1875. 
76, and 1878-79, and was for several years a member of the city council. 
During his service in the cit}' council the principal streets were greatly 
improved by macadam. He was soundly abused for it, but in due time 
the principal fault-finders were the loudest in his praise, and speak words 
of commendation in his behalf for the valuable services he had rendered 
in carrying forward important public improvements on the streets. Dur- 
ing his term of service in the city council he was chairman of the finance 
committee. The city being heavily in debt and suffering from heav}' taxa- 
tion, caused by taking railroad stock, it became absolutely necessary to 
do something to relieve the over-burdened taxpayers of the city. Mr. 
Ricord, by prudent management, brought relief. His financial plans 
proved a success. He refused to pay the ten year accrued interest on 
the railroad bonds, and resisted the collection in the courts and was finally 
successful, and it was to his good judgment, acting under the advice of legal 
counsel, that the people are indebted for getting them free from paying 
about $10,000 of interest. Mr. Ricord during the first year he was 
mayor, collected about $4,600 for fines and licenses. He enforced the 
Sunda}' law, and all violations of law that came under his control were 
dealt with in a rigid manner; the lawless element and the vicious attempted 
to control him, and after failing, they made threats of violence, but they 
found him stern, unyielding and equal to every emergency. Mr. Ricord 
is a republican and has always proved himself a valuable party worker in 
all important campaigns. Mr. Ricord was married May 12, 1847, to Miss 
Emily Evans, of Iowa City. They have four children, to-wit: Charles J., 
Emma, Arthur F., and Gennevie. It is not out of place for us to say 
right here that Jacob Ricord was the first assessor of Iowa county, and 
made the first sale and transfer of land in Iowa county to Henry Lutchen, 
February 27, 1846. Mr. R. is a member of the I. O. O. F. of Iowa City. 
His wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Her parents belonged 
to the best families of Missouri. She was born April 19, 1829, on Easter 
Sunday, in St. Genevie, Missouri. In March, 1833, with her father 
moved to the coal mines in what is now Dubuque county. In the year 
1840 they settled in Johnson county. 

ELISHA H. RICORD, son of Thomas Ricord, now a resident of 
Dallas, Texas; was born October 16, 1818, in Dearborn county, Indiana; 
came to Iowa City with his father's family in March, 1840, and made a 
claim adjoining his brother Edward, in Iowa county, and assisted in build- 
ing the first log cabin on Old Man's creek, in the Ricord settlement; he 



908 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

made his home with his brother Edward, and assisted in making rail fences 
and breaking the prairie for their farms, and assisting in building cabins 
until the breaking out of the Mexican war, when he enlisted in the Fif- 
teenth United States Infantry, and remained u'ntil the close of the war. 
He came home and made a new settlement in Fillmore township, Iowa 
county, section 1, township 78. He was married in December, 1849, to 
Miss Catharine Butler. He built himself a house and barn on his claim, 
and lived there until 1872, when he sold out, and in 1871) went to Texas. 
The family consisted of three sons and two daughters; one son died in 
infancy; Augustus died in St. Louis at the age of 17, and Thomas is mar- 
ried and Hves near Red Oak, Iowa, and his two daughters are living with 
their father in Texas. 

N. B. RICHEY, farmer, post-office. Lone Tree; was born in Wayne 
county, Ohio, February 1, 1832, where he spent his boyhood days until 
he was fifteen. He then went into the printing office of the Wooster Demo- 
crat and remained there two years; he afterwards worked on the Wells- 
ville Patriot^ Pittsburg Dispatch, d.x\d. other newspapers; he made several 
trips west. In 1849 he went to New Mexico with a trading company from 
Kansas City; in 1864 he went to Pike's Peak, and came to Johnson 
county, in December, 1864, where he now lives and owns 240 acres of 
land, and has it well improved. He was married August 10, 1858, to 
Miss C. L. Lochr, a native of Northampton county, Pennsylvania. This 
union has been blessed with eleven children, viz.: Ella S., Jesse M., Lucy 
J., Clinton H., David H., Kate L., Charlie C, Grace E., Frank L., Albert 
R., and an infant. He is a member of the M. E. Church. 

CHARLES A. RINK, a resident of Coralville; was born in Lancaster,. 
Pennsylvania, May 12, 1835. He enlfsted in the Union army in 1862, a 
member of Company C, Thirty-fifth Iowa Infantry. He was married to 
Elizabeth Koepping of Muscatine, Iowa. They have six children: Lena, 
Lizzie, Charles, George, Emma and Amanda. He is a democrat in poli- 
tics. He is also a member of the Tutona Lodge of I. O. O. F. of Iowa 
City. 

ALEX. RINEHART, a farmer residing in Madison township, post- 
office. Chase; v/as born March 25, 1830, in Morris county. New Jersey. 
He settled in Knox county, Ohio, near Mt. Vernon. He married Sarah 
Rinehart, June 1, 1864, and shortly afterwards settled in Allen county, 
Indiana, where the}'- resided seven years. In 1870, they settled in Madison 
township, Johnson county, Iowa, on their present farm, southwest 
quarter, section thirty-four. They have seven children: Charles E., 
Amanda A., Ida M., Pheobe, Sarah E., Ahce V., Lewis A. He is a 
democrat in politics. 

BENJAMIN RITTER, fruit-grower, Iowa City; is a native of Mont- 
gomery county, Ohio; born December 20, 1814. He is a son of John 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 909 

and Barbara Ritter, the latter now residing in Floyd county, this state, at 
the ripe age of ninety-seven years. In 18:24: the family moved to Wayne 
county, Indiana, where they resided about eight years, when they moved 
to St. Joseph county, Indiana. From there the subject of our sketch emi- 
grated to what is now Johnson county, and was married August 14, 1837, 
to Miss Mary Stover, this being the fourth marriage in the present limits 
of Johnson county. He has since resided in the county, and followed 
farming, and also worked at the carpenter trade. They had six children, 
three now living: Jacob D., John M., and Belle A., now Mrs. F. A. 
Stratton. Mr. Ritter has been a member pf the Methodist Church for 
forty years, and has served as justice of the peace thirty-five years; is now 
engaged in fruit culture, two miles northeast of Iowa City. 

LEVI ROBINSON, attorney at law Iowa City; was born March 13, 
1827, in Kennebec county, Maine ; graduated from Dartmouth College in 
1855; was admitted to practice law at Albany, New York, and settled in 
Iowa City May 23, 1855. He was prosecuting attorney in 1856, and 
deputy revenue collector from 1864 to 1868. The law firm of which he 
is the senior partner, Robinson & Patterson, is the oldest law firm in the 
state of Iowa. Mr. Robinson is a republican in politics. He has always 
taken an active interest in public affairs. He is part owner with Mr. Sol- 
omon Coldren in the oat-meal mill situated at Coralville in west Lucas 
township, Johnson county, an enterprise that has proven quite a success. 

JAMES ROBINSON, farmer, post-office. Lone Tree; was born in 
Scotland, November 20, 1829, where he spent his early life, and got a 
good common school education. He came to America in 1849, and lived 
in New York for a number of years, in Broome county. August 20, 1862, 
he enlisted in company I, Seventh Rhode Island volunteer infantry, and 
served to the end of the war; was wounded at Fredricksburg, Virginia, 
the first battle he was in, being shot in the side of the face, the ball going 
in at the cheek, and knocking out two teeth, he spitting out the bullet. 
After the war he returned to New York and emigrated to Iowa in the 
fall of 1865, and settled in Muscatine county, where he lived until 1870, 
when he came to Johnson county, and now owns 200 acres of finely 
improved land, and has a pleasant home, and pays considerable attention 
to raising stock, now having a small herd of pure bred Short-horns. He 
was married Mav 15, 1859, to Miss Emily Jayne, a native of Wayne 
county, Pennsylvania. They have six childi-en, viz.: Mary R., Elsie K., 
Linda M., Emma C, Nellie, Belle, and Jessie E. Mr. Robinson and wife 
are members of the Baptist Church. 

HIRAM A. ROBINSON, pharmacist, post-office, Oxford; was born 
in Peoria county, Illinois, September 22, 1849, where he spent his early 
life. He attended school in Brimfield, Peoria county, until his seventeenth 
year; he then commenced to learn the druggist profession. with his father, 



910 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

and took charge of his father's business, and since then he has been 
engaged in the druggist trade. In June, 1879, he came to Oxford and 
opened a new stock of drugs at his present stand, and is doing a prosper- 
ous business. He was married September 80, 1872, to Miss Lizzie Mar- 
tyn, a native of Indiana. They have been blessed with two children: 
Claudius L. and Alta A. Mr. Robinson is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church, and an elder therein. Mrs. Robinson is a daughter of Rev. John 
D. Martyn, one of the pioneer ministers of Indiana, and a cousin of Wm. 
Martyn, missionary to China. 

JAMES T. ROBINSON,* the present efficient deputy auditor of John- 
son county ; was born February 15, 1822, in the Bowery, in New York city. 
His father kept a leather store in that city and came to Johnson county in 
April, 1840, and was the first mayor of Iowa City under the first city 
organization, which for some cause was abandoned after two years. His 
father kept a dry goods and grocery store where O'Hanlan & Son have 
their shoe store, and Weber's blacksmith shop was the warehouse. He 
died in January, 1880. Mr. Robinson was married October 5, 1842, to 
Miss Emily T. Custer, They have twelve children, eight are living: Alice 
C, wife of Clark Miller, in Maudan, Dakota; Mary P., Martha S., wife of 
Gilman Fletcher; Lizzie D., wife of Scott Dindly, of Humbolt, Iowa; Ella, 
Fannie E., wife of Henry Graham, of Cedar Rapids; J. Arthur, in Maudan, 
Dakota, and Susie E. His wife died May 2,1881; she made the first 
cheese made in Johnson county; she was born February 26, 1818,in Her- 
kimer county. New York. Mr. R. has filled the office of deputy auditor 
for seven years, and one year deputy recorder. 

CHARLES ROBOTHAM, farmer and stock-raiser in Graham town- 
ship, post-office. Oasis; was born May 27, 1821, County Staffordshire, 
England, January 2, 1856; settled in Graham township and bought the 
farm upon which he now resides. He was married November 25, 1861, 
to Miss Jane Hobbs, of Iowa City. He is independent in politics, and is 
one of Graham township's successful farmers and stock-raisers; lives on sec- 
tion 24, and his land is under good cultivation ; has an orchard of over 
200 good apple trees; also has a fine lot of Short-horn cattle. He is a 
citizen that always strives to attend to his own business and succeeds in a 
great measure of attending it well. 

GOTTLEIB F. ROESSLER, a farmer of Sharon township, post- 
office, Sharon Center; was born March 19,1821; came to America in 
1830, and settled in Columbiana county, Ohio, and came to Iowa City in 
March, 1840. He was married in June 1858, to Miss Louisa Hagan, of 
Washington county, Iowa. They have a family of ten children: Mary, 
wife of Herman Foulk; George, John, Clara, Jacob, William, Gottleib, 
Ella, Amelia and Caroline. He has always been a democrat and voted 
against the prohibitory constitutional amendment. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 911 

H. D. ROWE, was born Sept. 23, 1853, at Elgin, Illinois. He is a 
graduate of the Iowa City law school of the class of 1878, and has been 
engaged in practice ever since in Iowa City. He was elected city clerk 
in March, 1881. In August, 1881, he was elected secretary of the State 
Historical Society. He is a member of all the Masonic bodies of Iowa 
City. 

A. ROWLEY, a resident of Iowa City, and proprietor of a dining 
hall and restaurant on South Clinton street. No. 114, as successor to Jerry 
Gould; was born June 19, 1822, in Ontario county. New York. Came 
to Iowa in 1856, and settled in Hardin county, came to Iowa City in 1864. 
He was married July 24, 1842, to Miss J. Coy, of Ontario, county. New 
York. They have two children: R. S., wife of J. H. Brand, of Marengo, 
and Edgar A. of Iowa City. He is a republican in politics, was constable 
of Lucas township for two years; was in the quartermaster department 
in the late civil war at Nashville, Tennessee, and was United States 
guager at the Alcohol works in Iowa City, from 1874 to 1881. 

ANDREW RUBELMAN, farmer, post-office Shoo Fly; was born 
in Baden, Germany, Nov. 9, 1844, where he spent his boyhood days, and 
got a good German education, and followed the trade of a ropemaker. He 
came to America in 1848, and spent three years in New York, New Jersey, 
Ohio and Missouri, and came to Johnson county in 1851, and bought forty 
acres of land where he now resides, and has since bought more, and now 
owns 206 acres of finely improved land and good buildings and improve- 
ments, and pays his attention to farming and raising stock. He was mar- 
ried July 18, 1849, to Elizabeth Henry, a native of Ohio. They have two 
children: Deina and Lewis, both still at home. Mr. Rubelman and family 
are members of the Lutheran Church. 

S. R. RUNYON, blacksmith, Solon; was born in Knox county, Ky., 
July 31, 1843, and is a son of A. G. and Mary F. Runyon. He spent his 
early life in his native county, and enlisted in company H, seventh Ken- 
tucky Independent Cavalry in August, 1862, and served eighteen months. 
In the spring of 1865 he emigrated to Iowa and settled in Solon, where he 
now resides and working at his trade. He was married Feb. 12, 1866, to 
Clara Beuter, a daughter of Joseph and Anastasia Beuter, early settlers 
of Big Grove township . They have nine children, viz: Harry M., Mar- 
tin R., Annie, Nicholas L., Mary G., Stella M., William A., Augusta M., 
and Leonard R. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Penn Lodge, No. 
289. 

ASA RUNYON, a resident of Penn township, post-office North Lib- 
erty; was born Nov. 16, 1845, in Garrard county, Ky. Settled in John- 
son county, Iowa, Aug. 16, 1866. He was married May 3, 1870, to Miss 
M. E. Payn, daughter of Evan Payn, near Solon, Iowa. They have five 
children: Lula M., Francis M., Mary R., Bertha J. and Henry M. He 



912 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

is a republican in politics, and is the assistant postmaster at North Liberty. 
Has held several township offices : township clerk and assessor several 
terms. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge at North Liberty. He 
voted for the prohibitory constitutional amendment. 

ALEX. RUTH, farmer, residing near Iowa City; was born Julv 18, 
1836, in Washington county. Pa. Came to Iowa City in 1855. Was 
detained in Ohio with the lung fever, and got to Johnson county, Iowa, too 
late to put in any crops; worked on the C. R. I. & P. R. R. during the 
summer and fall. He was married Nov. 11, 1860, to Mijs Sarah Jane 
Funk, of Iowa City. They have the following named children: Edward 
S., born Aug. 17, 1861; Oliver Jay, born January 28, 1865; Etta, born 
Sept. 26, 1869, and died Dec. 16, 1879; Carrie Bertha, born May 24, 1872; 
Lizzie, born Aug. 29, 1875. He was a soldier in the late war, a 
member of company D, 14th Regiment Iowa Infantry. Enlisted in the 
fall of 1861; served in that company until he was transfered to the seventh 
Iowa Cavalry. He was honorably discharged in the fall of 1864. He is 
a republican in politics, voted for the prohibitory amendment. Was 
elected justice of the peace in 1877, held the office one year. He, his 
wife and eldest son are members of the M. E. Church at Lone Tree. 

E. SANGESTEK, farmer, and resident of West Lucas township, post- 
offic, Iowa City; was born March 8, 1824, in London, England; came to 
America May 5, 1832; settled in Iowa City March 1, 1844; is a carpen- 
ter by trade. He was married December 25, 1849, to Miss Dehlah John- 
son of Iowa City, a neice of Dr. Ballard, and a grand-daughter of Judge 
Johnson, of Cincinnati, Ohio. He was the first marshal of Iowa City, 
and James Robinson, father of the present deputy county auditor, was 
the first mayor of Iowa City. They have a family of six children: Flora, 
who died of consumption, Ada, wife of Addison Kenard, Frank, Fred, 
Ebb and Herbert. He is a democrat in politics. His father, Archibald 
Campbell Sangester, is still living, and has been an invalid for five years. 
He was born March 6, 1787, in London, England; was ordained a minis- 
ter of the Baptist Church in 1820; was a member and pastor for sixty 
years of the Baptist Church; became a life member of the American 
Baptist PubHshing Society August 25, 1867. 

CYRUS SARGENT, farmer. Cedar township, post-office, Solon; was 
born in the town of Bow, Merrimack county, New Hampshire, March 3, 
1816; was married July 5, 1842, to Abby B. Saltmash, a native of Gofts- 
town, Hillsborough county. New Hampshire. She is the youngest daugh- 
ter of Edward A. and Sally Salthmash, whose family of thirteen children 
were all born in the same house, eight of whom are now livmg, aged as 
follows: Betsy, 82; Thomas, 80; Henry, 78; Hazen, 76; Susan, 74; 
Oilman, 72; Franklin, 70, and Abby, 65; average age, 75 years, their 
parents dying at the following ages: Edward A., 85, and Sally, 87 years; 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 913 

averaire age of children dead, 48 years. In November, after their mar- 
riage, they removed to Wentworth, Grafton county, where their children 
were born to them: Melissa A., born to them June 2, 184:3; married 
November 1, 1860, to Alexander Eason; Emily C, born October 8,1846; 
married December 27, 1866, to J. H. — 

WALTER SAXTON, livery, Oxford, Iowa; was born in Cayuga 
county. New York, July 21, 1838, where he lived until 1853, when 
he came to Johnson county with his parents, they first settled at Coralville, 
and then entered land near Tiffin, where he lived some fifteen years on a 
farm. He enlisted August 11, 1882, in Company I, 22d Iowa Volunteer 
Infantry, and was discharged at Vicksburg, June, 1863. In the spring of 
1867 he went to Jasper county, this State, where he remained two years, 
then returned to this county. In 1874 he came to Oxford and engaged in 
the livery business. He was married January 11, 1860, to Miss Joana 
Jameison, a native of Ohio, and has two children, Arthur F. and Alvah J. 

JAMES SCANLON, a farmer, and resident of Union township, post- 
office, Iowa City; was born in 1810, in Ireland; came to America in 1840. 
Landed at Quebec, Canada; was there one year; then went to Phil- 
adelphia, Pennsylvania; was there two years, from there went to 
Bellfount, Central county, Pennsylvania; was there ten years, and then 
came to Iowa City. He was married at Bellfount in 1840, and to them 
were born the following children: Bridget, born in 1841; died in 1870; 
Katie, born 1842; wife of Jerry Nolan; Margaret, 1843, died same year; 
Rosanna, born 1845, lived two years, Johnnie, 1847, and died in two years; 
Thomas, born in 1851 and died in 1877; and James W. Mr, Scanlan 
dug the first cellar in Iowa City at the corner now occupied by Furbish 
as a shoe store. 

JAMES W. SCANLON, a farmer, and resident of Union township, 
post -office, Iowa City; was born July 12, 1854, in Iowa City. He was 
married April 20, 1873, to Miss Mary Powers, and she died in March, 
1879. They had two children: William and Charles. He was married 
November' 29, 1879, to Miss Mary Collins of Oxford, Iowa. By this 
union two children were born: Daniel and Richard. The family are 
members of the St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church of Iowa City. A 
Democrat in politics. The farm upon which he resides is among the best 
in Union township. 

NATHANIEL SCALES, a farmer residing in Clear Creek township, 
post-office, Coralville; was born January 16, 1812, near Natchez, Missis- 
sippi, his father moved back to his old home in Rockingham county, 
North Carolina, and from there moved to Kentucky, in 1826, and to 
Missouri in 1829, and to Wisconsin in 1835, and Mr. Scales settled 
in Johnson county, Iowa, in 1840, on what is called Scales' Bend 
in Penn township. He was married August 28, 1842, to Miss Mary 



914 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTV. 

Crozier, daughter of David Crozier, of Penn township; she died in Janu- 
ary, 1845. They had two children, both dead. In 1847, March 18, he 
was married to Nancy Epperson, of Scott township. They have seven 
children, four living: Miriam E.,now the widow Wilson, Nellie, Nathaniel 
W., and Lizzie J . He is engaged in raising fine trotting horses and has 
fine stock of all kinds. 

JOHN B. SCHAEDLER, a cigarmaker, doing business on Washing- 
ton street, over A. C. Atwater's billiard hall, and proprietor of the Crummy 
House on Washington street; was born September I'Ji, 1824, in Hesse 
Darmstadt, Germany, and served four3^ears in the German army, and was 
in the first battle in the Revolution of 1848. He was married in June, 
1849, in Germany to Miss Katie Wagner; they have three boys and four 
girls: Lizzie, the widow of Ed. Vogt; Rosa, wife of Thomas P. Purcell; 
Louis, Louisa, wife of R. E. Adams; William, and Flora, wife of Law- 
rence B. Johnson. He settled in Iowa City, August 13, 1856, and was 
the first cigarmaker in Iowa City, made the first cigars and opened the 
first factory, and has operated it ever since. The family are members of 
the German Lutheran Church of Iowa City. He is a democrat in politics 
and don't care who knows it. 

WILLIAM J. SCHELL, a resident of Iowa City, and the junior mem- 
ber of the firm of Pryce & Schell, doing business on the corner of Wash- 
ington and Dubuque streets; was born September 27, 1840, in Johnstown, 
Cambria county, Pennsylvania. He came to Iowa City with his parents 
when but six months old. He enlisted as a private in company K, 1st regi- 
ment Iowa volunteer infantry, and August 8, 1862, enlisted in company F, 
22d regiment Iowa volunteer infantry, and was made second sergeant, he 
was promoted to first lieutenant of company F, January 1, 1863, and he 
resigned March 27, 1864, on account of sickness. He was married 
November 1, 1870, to Miss Frank Thomas, of Michigan City, Indiana. 
He became a partner of Captain S. D. Pryce in 1876, and the firm is 
recognized as one of the most prosperous and substantial business houses 
in Iowa City. He is a republican in politics. 

GEORGE SCHAICH, farmer and stock raiser, post-office, Morse; 
was [born in the kingdom of Wurtemburg, German}', 1822, moved to 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1831, and shortly after went to Butler 
county, Ohio, and lived there fifteen years, and from there he came to 
Iowa and settled in Newport township, there he lived ten years, when he 
came to Graham township. He was married in Linn county, Iowa, to 
Miss Minnie E. Dureau, of Prussia, in 1856, and has ten children living, 
three boys and seven girls; four children married, oldest son, John W., 
married and living in Graham township, Mary L., now Mrs. Luther, of 
Oxford, and Hanna, now Mrs. Elliott, living in Kansas, Margaret A., now 
Mrs. Godlip Heiber, of Big Grove township. He is a member of the 
United Brethren Church. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 915 

HENRY SCHENKEMYER, a resident of Iowa City, on Gilbert 
street; was born March 14, 1840, in Hanover, Germany. He came to 
America in 1866; landed in New York City, and came immediately to 
Iowa City. He was married in September, 1869, to Miss Fredricka 
Krumacker. They have one child. He is a democrat in politics. He is 
a member of the German lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 129, Iowa City. He is 
a bricklayer by trade. He voted against the amendment. 

GEORGE SCHLENK, a resident of Iowa City, and a blacksmith 
doing business on the corner of Dubuque street and Iowa avenue; was 
born August 15, 1837, in Bavaria; came to America in the fall of 1843; 
landed in Baltimore; learned his trade in Iowa City. He was married in 
November, 1858, to Miss Mary Crupp of Iowa City. They have nine 
children: Lizzie M., Katie, Clara J., George, Caroline, Jacob, Mary, 
Matilda, and Frank P. The family are members of the St. Mary's 
Roman Catholic Church of Iowa City. A democrat in politics. 

JOSEPH SCHONBORN, farmer and wine-grower, post-ofRce, 
Oxford; was born in Hungary, March 15, 1826, where he spent his early 
life and came to America in May, 1857, and came direct to Johnson county, 
and bought a farm, where he now lives and owns 160 acres of fine land. 
For the last fifteen years he has been paying considerable attention to wine- 
growing, and has taken a number of first premiums for the best wines. 
He has several acres in vineyard, and ships considerable wine. He was 
married January 25, 1847, to Catharine Bauer, of Shueyville. She dying 
April, 1865, he was again married October 4, 1869, to Annie M. Grabien, 
a native of Hanover. He has six children by the first marriage, and 
three by the last. Mr. Schonborn speaks the Hungarian, German, Ser- 
vian, Roumanian, and English languages fluently, and broken Bohemian. 

H. H. SEELEY, a resident of Iowa City; was born August 2, 1842, 
in Prince Edward's Island, Nova Scotia; came to Illinois in 1859, and to 
Iowa City in 1868. He was a faithful soldier in the late civil war, serving 
in company L, Seventh Illinois cavalry regiment, Col. Pitt Kellogg's regi- 
ment. He was in the lumber business in Chicago, Illinois, after the war; 
came to Iowa City in the employ of Pendleton & Co., of Chicago, 
and since 1869 has been in the employ of John W. Porter. He was mar- 
ried March 3, 1869, to Miss H. A. Bull, of Weeping Waters, Nebraska. 
A member of the A. O. l\ W. and L. of H. of Iowa City; a republican 
in politics, and for three successive terms was elected city treasurer of 
Iowa City. 

HENRY C. SEEVOGEL, a resident of Iowa City and a stone mason 
and brick layer; was born June 28, 1830, in Hanover, Germany. He came 
to America in the fall of 1866, landed in New York city and came direct 
to Johnson county, Iowa, the same fall. He was married in June, 1868, to 
Miss Charlotte Romaez. She died March 10, 1869. He was married 



916 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

March 10, 18Y0, to Miss Katie Sadewack of Iowa City. He is a member 
of No. 129, I. O. O. F., of Iowa City. He is a democrat in politics. 

MRS. ELIZABETH G. SEHORN. The subject of this sketch is one 
of the first settlers in Johnson county, in company with her husband and 
some friends from Washington county, Tennessee. She came to this 
county in the spring of 1889, and on the first day of April, took up a 
permenant residence on Old Man's creek on a claim of 600 acres of land 
in Union township, for which her husband, James J. Sehorn, paid $225, 
and alter the said lands came into market, he bought from the Govern- 
ment and paid $1.25 per acre. She is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church, Wesley Chapel, Union township. She was married to James J. 
Sehorn in 1838. They raised a family of four children: Nancy, the wife 
of William Smith; Jacob G., Amanda J. and Margaret P. She lost her 
husband Nov. 3, 1854, and his large estate fell upon her to manage and 
right well did she perform the duties that rested upon her. She was 
born June 15, 1805, in Rockingham county, Virginia, and moved with her 
parents to Washington county, Tennessee, in 1819. 

A. SEROVY, merchant, Solon; was born in Austria, May 23, 1860. 
When six years of age his parents, Joseph and Kristina, emigrated to 
America and settled in Cedar township, this county, where the subject of 
this sketch lived until he was fourteen years of age, when he commenced 
clerking for E. T. Gough at Mt. Vernon, sta^ang with him seven years. 
In 1880, he started a store of his own in Ely and in March, 1882, came to 
Solon where he now owns a fine store and is doing a good business. He 
was married Feb. 14, 1880, to Miss Mary Bulechek, daughter of Frank 
Bulechek, who came to this county in 1854 and settled in Cedar township. 
They have one daughter: Effie A. They are members of the Catholic 
Church. 

MILTON SEYDEL, a farmer, residing in Scott township, post-office, 
Iowa City; was born November 24, 1824, in Columbiana county, Ohio; 
came to Iowa City in 1847. He was married in Iowa City May 10, 1851, 
to Miss Nancy Linderman. This union was blessed by the following 
named children: John, Mora J., Martin, Frank, Anson, Eh, Roxsena, 
Jessie, Efta D., all living. He enhsted in the Union army in the Sixth 
cavalry in 1861; was appointed quartermaster sergeant and served about 
six months and returned home, and enlisted in 47th Iowa Infantry and 
served about four months and was discharged. He is now engaged in 
farming. 

JACOB N. SEYDEL, a resident of Iowa City, a dealer in stoves and 
tinware, on South Clinton street; was born January 24, 1828, in Pottsville, 
Ohio; came to Iowa City, October 1, 1844, and began working at his 
trade and opened up business for himself in 1850. He was married 
December 24, 1850, to Miss Rebecca J. Stebbins, of Iowa City. This 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 917 

union is blessed with six children: Delia Iowa, wife of C. S. Fogy, of 
Stuart, Iowa; Henry B., Mary E,, wife of John S. Beatty, of Iowa City; 
Rebecca J., wife of John E. Roper, of Stuart, Iowa; Ruth E. and George 
E. He is a member of the Universalist Church of Iowa City; a member 
of the I. O. O. F. society, the A. O. U. W. and Knights of Honor lodges 
of Iowa City. He is a liberal republican in politics; was deputy sheriff 
under DeForest from 1851 to 1853; also under S. B. Mulholland from 
1853 to 1855. He was a member of the city council from the first ward 
in 1874. 

GEORGE SHAVER; was born August 31, 1790, near Hagerstown, 
Maryland; died in Washington township, Johnson county, March 29, 
1849. He was married December 7, 1813, to Miss Rozana Ankeny, of 
Somerset county, Pennsylvania; who was born December 22, 1794, and 
died September 29. 1845. This union was blessed with twelve children: 
Peter A., born March 24, 1820, killed at Fort Atkinson January 1, 1853; 
Camela, born November 25, 1814, died in 1864, she married David Wil- 
liamson April 5, 1833; Eliza, born April 13, 1816, died December 14, 1817; 
Elizabeth, born July 24, 1818, married June 13, 1837, to John Coheck; 
Daniel K., born January 3, 1822, married October 25, 1857, to Miss Ada- 
line Donahy; they have one child, Berney; George W., born January 18, 
1828, died May 2, 1857; Joseph N., born October 26, 1826, died June 6, 
1833; Mary S., born August 22, 1827, died in 1865; Philip E., born May 
6, 1829, married December 13, 1855; Eleanor P., born May 19, 1831, mar- 
ried July 8, 1852, to C. D. Reinking, of Des Moines; Tevius Henry and 
Henrietta, born July 25, 1833; Henry, died July 1, 1872; Henrietta, mar- 
ried July 16, 1857. He came to Johnson county, Iowa, in 1844, and set- 
tled in Washington township. He was a member of the Presbyterian 
Church ; his wife a member of the Christian Church. 

CAPT. P. E. SHAVER, a farmer and stock-raiser, residing in Wash- 
ington township; was born May 6, 1829, in Summerset county, Pennsyl- 
vania; came to Iowa in April, 1844, and settled in Washington township, 
section 34. He owns a farm of 500 acres of land under good cultivation. 
He built a fine frame house on section 26 in 1877, and it is considered one 
of the finest farm houses in Johnson county. He was married December 
13, 1855 to Miss Hettie Grimes. They had fire children, two are now 
living: Jennie, wife of George Wagner, and Lincoln G. His wife died 
May 13, 1880, and wSept 6, 1881, he was married to Mrs. C. Lambert, 
daughter of Ephraim Patterson, and mother of John and George Wag- 
ner. Mr. Shaver was a soldier in Capt. James M. Morgan's company of 
Iowa mounted volunteer dragoons, and served from December, 1847, to 
September, 1848, during the Mexican war, and was on duty among the 
Indians. He was also a faithful soldier in the late civil war, in company 
F., First Iowa cavalry, enlisted as a private July 18, 1861, and shortly 
68 



918 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, 

after made second lieutenant September 23, 1861, then first lieutenant 
October 29, 1861, and finally captain July 1, 1862. He resigned on 
account of his wife's sickness, and came home late in 1868. In politics lie 
is a lepublican; was a member of the board of supervisors from January, 
1864, for four years, and township clerk for a number of terms. He was 
the republican candidate for the legislature in 1871, and was defeated by 
only 117, in a democratic county. He makes a specialt}' of Short-horn 
cattle from Kentucky. His farm is on Shaver creek, and is well watered, 
and plenty of tember. He has a fine orchard. He drove an ox team 
from his cabin door in Washington township to California, leaving in the 
spring of 1850, and traveling five months to his place of destination in the 
mines, came back in the fall of 1853. His experience was worth more 
than his money for he learned that his Washington township farm was 
better than a gold mine. His mother died September 25, 1845, and his 
father died March 25, 1846, on the old homestead in Washington town- 
ship, where they settled in April, 1844, with their family. Mr. Shaver 
has always taken a very prominent part in all the public affairs of his 
township and county. 

J. J. SHEPARDSON, a farmer residing on sections 22 and 23, Clear 
Creek township, post-ofhce address, Tiffin, Iowa; was born June 22, 
1824, in Muskingum county, Ohio; came to Johnson county, Iowa, and 
settled on section 29 in November, 1842. He was married October 24, 
1853, to Miss Charlotte Brown, of Penn township. They have five chil- 
dren: Edward N., Mar}- E., George W,, Jared J., Amanda F., and Mar}^ 
E., wife of Samuel J. Kindall, of Iowa City. Is a democrat in politics; 
has been township trustee, and is now one of the constables of Clear Creek 
township. 

WM. C. SHEPPARD, a farmer in Fremont township, post-office, 
River Junction; was born March 26, 1826, at Georgetown, Kentucky; 
settled in Johnson county, Iowa, in 1870. He was married February 28, 
1845, to Miss Minnie Kendall, of Tippecanoe county, Indiana. She died 
September, 1863. They had five children: Samuel W., Annie M., Isa- 
bella B., Chas. M., and Jessie. February 28, 1865, he was married to 
Miss Hannah Westfall, otFremont township; was in the army in company 
A, Second Iowa cavalry. He is a republican in politics, and voted against 
the prohibitory amendment; is a member of the Masonic lodge at Colum- 
bus City. 

ANDREW SHIELDS, a resident of Iowa City; was born in Ireland 
in the 3'^ear 1838; came to America in 1852; lived in New York City nine 
years. He was married to Mary Dufl:y in 1841. They have the follow- 
ing named children: Katie, Andy, Michael, Ellen, James, Hattie, Bessie, 
and John. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 919 

HENRY E. SHINN, the present efficient marshal of Iowa City: was 
born October 1, 1835, in Medford, Burlington county, New Jersey. He 
settled in Iowa City in January, 1856, and worked at his trade, being a 
carpenter; he went to Iowa county in 1857. He was married February 
14, 1858, to Miss Ellen Murphy, a sister of the Hon. J. H. Murphy, of 
Davenport, Iowa. This union is blessed with one child, living: Nellie. 
He settled in Iowa City in 1870, and opened a carpenter shop on Gilbert 
street, south of Market street, in 1871, and engaged in the business of con- 
tractor and builder. He is a democrat in politics, and was assessor of 
Green township, Iowa county, for ten j-ears; he was the democratic can- 
didate for recorder against M. W. Stover, and was defeated; the county 
being republican then by a large majority. He was appointed marshal 
of Iowa City for 1881, and was re-appointed for 1882 by a unanimous vote 
of the city council. He is a member of the Iowa State Legion of Honor. 

C. H. SKIRCLIFF, merchant, post-office, Solon; was born in Fair- 
field county, Ohio, August 5, 1838, where he spent his boyhood days 
until he was fifteen, when he emigrated to Solon, Johnson county, with his 
parents, Lewis and Mary Shirclifl'in 1853; he has since resided here, and 
the greater part of the time has been engaged in the mercantile business. 
In the spring of 1838 he formed a partnership with Henry Fisher, under 
the firm name of Shircliff & Fisher, and are doing a lucrative business. 
He is unmarried. 

DANIEL SHIRK, farmer, post-office, Oxford; was born in Lancaster 
county, Pennsylvania, August 9, 1821, and when small moved w^ith his 
parents to Cumberland county, where they lived five years; then moved 
to Ohio, where he spent his early life on a farm; about 1851 he went to 
Illinois, where he lived until 1876, when he came to Oxford, where he 
now owns a fine farm of 200 acres. He was married December 21, 1848, 
to Maria Mullen, a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and have 
eight children, viz.: James M., John F., Martha A., Sealey B., Mary E., 
George W., William H. and Lucy E. Mr. and Mrs. Shirk are members 
of the M. E. Church at Oxford. 

JACOB SHUEY, deceased; was born in Augusta county, Virginia, 
on the 20th day of June, 1797. He was the youngest of a large family. 
In 1822, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Lonman of the same county 
and State. To them were born eight children: William H., Barney L., 
Margaret M., Bowersox, Caswell B., Jacob A., Jason, Robert and Vir- 
ginia. In the fall of 1855, he came to Iowa and settled in Johnson count}-, 
where the town of Shueyville now is. Mr. Shuey was at one time one of 
the largest land owners in his township, owning about 1,724 acres of land. 
He died on the 30th day of October, 1867, aged seventy years, four 
months and ten days. His wife survived him until July 11, 1875, when 
she was laid by his side, awaiting the resurrection of the just. Mr. Shuey 



920 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

was a most useful, active and public spirited citizen. In him society has 
lost a genial member, and his associates a warm, true friend. 

FRANK SIES, hardware dealer, Oxford, Iowa; was born in this 
county, July 8, 18^.8, his father, William, was one of the first settlers in 
this township. In 1876, he went to Rochester, New York, where he 
learned the tinners' trade and then returned and worked for C. K. Bur- 
nell until 1879, when he bought Burnells' stock of stoves and tinware. In 
February, 1882, he took his brother George W., as a partner, they then 
added a general stock of hardware and carry a stock of about $5,000. 
He was married Sept. 8, 1880, to Miss Annie Schaffer, daughter of 
Jonathan Schafler of this place. They have one child, Jennie S. He is a 
member of Canopy Lodge No. 290, A. F. & A. M., also a member of the 
M. E. Church. His father is a native of Germany and came to America 
in 1847 and to Johnson county in 1857. 

FRANCIS JOSEPH SIMEK, was born March 21, 1821, in Castolo- 
vice, Bohemia. He became an orphan in early life and consequently was 
compelled to work for a living, and could not get much of a school educa- 
tion. His mind, however, thirsted for knowledge, and hours which most 
youths spend in enjoyment were by him devoted to study. He was a 
typical Bohemian citizen, a man of energy and character; during all his 
active life was a noted man wherever he appeared, with a massive head 
and almost gigantic presence. In the days of his strength he was an 
orator amongst his countrymen and his power of persuasion and the 
influence of his speech were often felt in their meetings and societies. 
Early in life he was engaged as a professional horticulturalist, but he 
afterwards learned the trade of a shoemaker, which he followed, with 
short intermissions during his life time. He spent seven years of his life 
as a journeyman, traveling through Austria and Italy. On his return he 
settled at Vamberk, in Bohemia, and in 1847, married Maria Theresa 
Tit, who was two years his senior. By the kindness of some of his friends 
he was allowed to read excellent books on philosophy, religion, etc., which 
were at that time prohibited by the Austrian government, and frequently 
his house was searched by the the o-cns dc amies for contraband volumes. 
During the stormy revolutionary period of 1848-9, he was actively engaged 
in the cause of liberty, and consequently suffered persecution with many 
others. In the fall of 1850 he and his family followed the tide of immi- 
gration to America, which was then sought as an asylum b}^ thousands of 
patriotic Bohemians, who had incurred the displeasure of the Austrian 
government by their efforts for the amelioration of the condition of the 
Bohemians under the Austrian rule. He settled in Jefferson township, 
Johnson county, Iowa, and continued the vocation of a farmer, coupled 
with his trade until June 12, 1866, when he removed to Iowa City, in 
order that he might more easily procure medical aid for his wife, who 
was almost worn out by consumption. She died June 20, 1866, and was 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 921 

buried in Iowa City cemetery. He married a second time in 1S75, but 
his second wife proved to be a vixen, and he was divorced from her. 
Domestic trouble so affected .him that he was stricken with paralysis in 
January, 1878. He never arose from his bed for a period of three years, 
when death released him in 1880. Eight children were born to them, six in 
Bohemia, and two in America, of whom only two are now living, Mrs. 
Mary Havlik, the first born, and Bohumil, the youngest. He was very 
prominent among the Bohemians in America b}^ the efforts which he made 
in company with others, for the establishment of the first Bohemian news- 
paper in the United States, in 1860, and for numerous contributions which 
he made to various Bohemian newspaper. He also possessed rare orator- 
ical ability, and his voice was often heard in the meetings of his country- 
men, always on the side of patriotism, truth and honesty. He was reared 
a Catholic, but he, as well as his first wife, early disavowed all connection 
with any church, and became fi-ee-thinkers. 

BOHUMIL SIMEK was born June 25, 1851, in Jefferson township, 
Johnson county, Iowa. When six years old he was first sent to the public 
schools in Iowa City. He went to school constantly after that, and in the 
fall of 1878 entered the State University, taking the civil engineering 
course. He would have graduated in June, 1882, but sickness compelled 
him to leave at the close of the winter term. During the last five years 
of his school life he had to support himself entirely, doing double work, 
making a livmg and getting his lessons. For six years he has has devoted 
himself to the study of natural history, and has done much collecting. He 
has been engaged in surveying (R. R.and land) and in city engineering. 
He and his brother William, who died May 19, 1882, were the only child- 
ren born in America. His sister, Mrs. James Havlik, and Bohumil, are 
the only members of the family living. He has struggled hard for an 
education; he is now engaged in surveying for the B., C. R. & N. R. R. 
He taught a Bohemian school in Iowa City the summer of 1882. He is a 
democrat in politics. 

OWEN SLATER, merchant and postmaster Windham ; was born in 
Ireland Aug. 15, 1840, and came to America in 1862, and remained in 
New York City five years. He then came to Johnson county and settled 
in Sharon township, where he lived eighteen years, and followed farming. 
He enlisted Aug. 15, 1862, in Pat Burns' company, and afterward transfered 
to company M, 6th Iowa cavalry, and served until the close of the war. 
He came to Hardin township in 1875, and followed farming until Decem- 
ber, 1881, he bought a general stock of goods, and now is keeping store 
and post-ofBce at Windham, and also owns 80 acres of land. He was 
married April 10, 1877, to Ellen Murphy, a native of Illinois; she dying 
Oct. 24, 1879, leaving one child, Michael W., born Feb. 12, 1878. 



922 HISTORV OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

JOHN W. SLATER, a resident of Iowa City, and engaged in the 
practice of the law. Was born Feb. 9, 1849, in Litchfield, Conn. Came to 
Iowa City and entered the law department September, 1871, and was 
admitted March, 1872, at the Johnson county bar to practice law, and 
formed a law partnership with James Hoxie. He was married Dec. 16, 
1876, to Miss Katie Vogt, of Iowa City, daughter of Dr. Vogt. They 
have two children: Mareih W. and Willie. His wife is a member of the 
St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church of Iowa City. He is a democrat in 
politics, and takes a lively interest in all political questions. He is a young 
man of acknowleged legal ability. 

MATHEW G. SLEMMONS, post-office Iowa City; was born in Har- 
rison county, Ohio, Feb. 11, 1818, was there reared to manhood, a farmer. 
He is now the owner of 160 acres of land in Scott township, section 32, all 
under cultivation. He has received a good common school education. 
When at the age of sixteen, he commenced to learn the blacksmith trade; 
he followed that for thirty years. He came fi-om Ohio here in 1868, 
where he has remained up to the present time. He was married twice, 
first in 1841, to Miss Annie Welch, a native of Ohio. They had four 
children, all living: John, Jane, wife of James Waidron, Anna A., wife of 
F. G. Welch, and Mathew. His first wife died March 26, 1857. He 
was again married June 23, 1858, to Mary J. Lyons, a native of Ohio. 
He had six children by this wife, four of whom are living. Their names 
arc: Mary A., wife of Edward B. Greer, Martha G., Ida, Agnes, Rich- 
ard and Charles, the latter two of whom are dead. Charles was killed 
July 24, 1878, by a runaway team. Mr. Slemmons and family are mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church. 

JOSEPH SLEZAK, a resident of Iowa City, and proprietor of the 
National Hall hotel, and general grocery store on the corner of Linn and 
Bloomington streets; was born Feb. 19, 1847, in Bohemia, Austria. Came 
to America in 1855, and to Iowa City in 1870, and opened his hotel the 
same year, and his general grocery store in 1877. He was married 
March 31, 1870, to Miss Eva Lit, of Iowa City. They have six children: 
Annie, Frank W., George, Willie, Matilda and Bertha. The family are 
members of the St. Mary Roman Catholic Church of Iowa City. He is 
a democrat in politics. His hotel is the recognized headquarters for his 
nationality and Joe is very popular with his people. 

MRS. SARAH A. SMITH, was born in Lancashire, England, in 1824, 
a daughter of James and Mary Stoll. Came to America June 1, 1848, 
and landed in New York. She was married to James Smith, of England, 
in 1848. They lived in Philadelphia, Pa., from 1848 to 1852, and then 
moved to Salem, Ohio, and in 1853, came to Johnson county, Iowa, and 
settled in Newport, (now Graham township), June 11, 1853. Her husband 
died May 4, 1868, and was one of the first buried in the Oasis cemetery. 
They have five children, two sons and three daughters. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 928 

DEXTER P. SMITH, D. D., a resident of Iowa City; was born 
December 16, 1810, in Tully, Oneida county. New York. He was edu- 
cated and graduated from Madison University, at Hamilton, New York, 
in 1835, and received the degree of D. D. from the same college iu 1837. 
He was married July 11, 1837, to Miss Hannah Borland. They have 
four children: D. Edson, residing in Santa Anna, California; Carey R.,near 
Iowa City; George W., a minister at Sandusky, Ohio, and Flora S., wife 
of Dr. J. C. Glasson, of Waterloo, Iowa. She graduated from the 
Homeopathic Medical Department of the State University in March, 1882. 
He came to Iowa May, 1845, as the representative of the American Bap- 
tist Home Missionary Societ}^ and found a small missionary society in 
existence. He preached for them a while and went east and collected 
money and returned to Iowa City and built the brick church in which the 
Baptists now worship, on the corner of Clinton and Burlington streets, 
and preached for that congregation until 1859, when he was compelled 
to resign on account of poor health. He afterward accepted a work in 
behalf of the American Sunda}- School Union. He labored twelve years 
for the " Iowa Baptist Union for Ministerial Education," and is a minis- 
ter of the Baptist denomination, and continues to preach the word of God. 
He was educated for the foreign missionary work, and designed going to 
China, but poor health compelled him to remain in his native land. He 
preached six years for a congregation at Strikersville, Wyoming county, 
New York, previous to coming to Iowa City. He preached previous to 
that in Vermont, and in all of his religious work he has been successful, 
and feels that Providence has directed him in all of his ministerial labors, 
and his faithful wife has been a helpmate in every respect. 

FRANK H. SMITH, M. D., a resident at Frank Pierce post-office, 
in Washington township, Johnson countv, Iowa, engaged in the practice 
of medicine and surgery; was born Seotember 25, 1849; came to Iowa 
in 1870. He began the practice of medicine in 1878, and graduated from 
the Medical Department of the State University in March, 1882. He was 
married April 2, 1879, to Miss Ella Wright, of Aledo, Illinois. He taught 
school five years before he began the practice of medicine, and for two 
years was principal of the public school at Dallas, Illinois. He is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic Lodge at Dayton, No. 149, and an I. O. O. F., with 
his membership at Dallas, Illinois. He is a democrat in politics. He has 
a splendid practice, and enjoys the confidence of the people of the com- 
munity in which he is located. He has been exceedingly successful in 
his profession, and has an ambition for a larger field of labor in the medi- 
cal profession, and most certainly is deserving. 

MRS. SUSAN F. SMITH, a resident of Iowa City, the eldest daugh- 
ter of Governor Lucas by his second wife; was born April 25, 1823, in 
Piketown, Pike county, Ohio. She came to Burlington, Iowa, with her 
father in May, 1840. She was married at Muscatine, October 17, 1842, to 



924 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Dr. William L. Smith of Baltimore, Mar3'land. He died August 31, 1844. 
This union is blessed with one child, a daughter, born August 15, 1843, 
and named Florence A., now the wife of A. L. Clark of Iowa City. Her 
mother is a direct descendant from the celebrated Sumner family of Massa- 
chusetts. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Iowa City, 
and has been a faithful and consistent member of the church since she 
was twenty-seven years of age. 

HARRY C. SMITH was born in Henderson county, lUinois, Septem 
ber 19, 1844. He came to Iowa in 1855, and settled in Iowa City in 1864. 
He enlisted in the Union army in the Tenth Kansas Infantry, Company 
K,and served as a private three years and twenty days. He was married 
in Iowa City August 12, 1868, to Miss Catharine Boarts. They have six 
children: Hattie, William, Ida, Harry, Clara and Maude. He has held 
the office of alderman of Iowa City. He had the contract and built the 
City Hall in Iowa City. He is a member of the Legion of Honor of 
Iowa City. He is a repubhcan in politics, and voted for the prohibitory 
constitutional amendment. 

GEORGE E. SMITH, farmer, post-office. Lone Tree; was born in 
Bennington county, Vermont, March 18, 1835, where he spent his boy- 
hood days, and got a common school education. He came to Iowa the 
fall of 1856, and settled in Fremont township, on the farm he now lives 
on, this then being an open prairie. He now owns 125 acres of fine land. 
He was married October 31, 1865, to Miss Martha E. Dinwiddie, daugh- 
ter of Dr. Wm. Dinwiddie of this county, who is now eighty-six years of 
age. She was born in Indiana November 18, 1832. They have ten chil- 
dren, eight now living, viz: Maria, born August 16, 1866; Frank A., born 
April 30, 1869; Dora D., born April 30, 1871; Charles Lee, born Novem- 
ber 15, 1874; Bertha Ames, born December 1, 1876; Fred Emerson, born 
March 13, 1878; Wm. Burnside, born July 3, 1879; Robert Alden, born 
March 25, 1881; and Willie and Celia, deceased. 

WILI.,IAM. F. SMITH, a farmer residing in Washington township, 
post-office address, Frank Pierce; was born March 15, 1818, in Pendleton 
county, West Virginia. He left there in 1844, and settled near Jonesburg, 
Washington count}', Tennessee, and in the fall of 1845 settled in Iowa 
City. In the spring of 1848 he made a claim of 160 acres of land, the 
farm upon which he now resides, on Smith's run, one mile from Old 
Man's creek, on section 12, township 78 north, range 8 west. He was 
married in October, 1839, to Miss Leannah Propts, of Franklin, West 
Virginia.- She died in August, 1845. They had two children: Jacob W., 
still living. He was married again to Miss Sarah Maklin, and they had 
two children: Leannah is still living, and wife of Louis Doup of Knox 
county, Ohio. His wife died in 1847, and he married Nancy G. Sehorn. They 
have nine children, six boys and three girls: Martha E., Mary E,, Albert 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 925 

B., Henry M., Laban, Wallert, Wilbert M., Charles R., and Ida May. 
He is a republican in politics, and has held the office of treasurer of the 
school board of Washington township for twenty years. " Old Uncle 
Billey," as he is familiarly known, is a true-blooded Virginian of the old 
style, and the ruling principle of his life has been to always have something 
to eat, and to keep the latch-string always hanging out. 

Z. SMITH, farmer and stock-raiser, post-office. Oasis; born in Eng- 
land in 1825; came to Philadelphia in 184:8, and while there he mareied,in 
1850, Miss Anna Harrison. He went from there to Salem, Ohio, and in 
November, 1854, he came to Iowa and settled in Graham township, 
where he now lives. Mr. Smith has eight children living, his oldest mar- 
ried and living in Cedar county, and a daughter married and living in 
Cass county, Iowa. 

ROBERT A. SMITH, farmer and stock-raiser, post office Lone Tree; 
was born in Bennington county, Vermont, February 12, 1833, where he 
spent his early life and attended seminary. In the fall of 1854 he went to 
Grant county, Wisconsin, where he remained about one year; then came 
to Jasper county, this state, and to Johnson county the fall of 1856. and 
settled on the farm he now lives on in section 4, Fremont township, this 
then being an open prairie. He built a house, and has made all the 
improvements on the same, and now owns 160 acres of fine land and 
enclosed with hedge fence, and has a very pleasant home. He was mar- 
ried November 28, 1855, to Miss Eudora Dinwiddle, a native of Evans- 
ville, Indiana, and a daughter of Dr. Wm. Dinwiddle, now of Oxford, this 
county. She is a sister of Lieut. Wm. Dinwiddle of Wasington, D. C. 
They have five children, viz. : Charles C, born May 7, 1857, married October 
6, 1881, to Miss Jessie F. Fisher of Princeton, Illinois, now mail agent on 
the C, R. I. & P. railroad; Hattie M., born January 1, 1859; W. Burr, 
born October 24, I860; Helen M., born November 26, 1862; and Fred B., 
born December 24, 1864. In 1875 Mr. Smith moved to Muscatine, where 
he remained five years, to give his children an education. The two girls 
are now engaged in teaching. Mr. Smith has held several township 
offices, and is a member of the A. O. U. W., and also of the Congrega- 
tional Church. 

FATHER PATRICK SMYTH, the resident priest of St. Patrick's 
Roman Catholic Church in low^i City; was born in November, 1848, in 
Count}^ Cavan, Ireland. He was ordained at All Hallow's Foreign Mis- 
sionary Seminary in Dublin, Ireland, and was sent to the Dubuque, Iowa, 
Mission, and remained there until January, 1874, at which time he was sent 
to Madison county, Iowa, to the Irish settlement, and finally superseded 
Father Martin Rice, in Iowa City, in April 9, 1876; he soon saw the 
importance of having a building for his people, and set himself to work to 
secure one; he purchased a lot from Mrs. O. E. Dondelson, on the corner 



926 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

of Court and Linn streets, and erected the present beautiful brick edifice, 
the attraction and admiration of all observers of architects; he has been 
faithful in his labors, self-sacrificing in his devotion to his church, and enjo3'S 
the full confidence of his congregation. He has taken great interest in 
the educational interest of his people as well as their spiritual affairs, and 
the result is he has fine schools in connection with his church supported 
solely by his congregation. He is highly respected and very popular 
with all classes of people. 

MICHAEL T. SNAVELY, (deceased); was born February 15, 1810, 
in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, and died in Penn township, Johnson 
county, November 15, 1854. He was married October 20, 1830, in Cum- 
berland county, Pennsylvania; settled in Penn township, Johnson county, 
in 1848. This union was blessed with ten children, all living: John lives 
in Madison township, Michael F. lives in Penn township, Catharine is the 
wife of Jacob Zeller, in Penn township, and Isabella is living with her 
mother in Madison; the other children are married and settled in life in 
various localities. His widow married James Chamberlain of Madison 
township. May 24, 1867; she is a member of the United Brethren Church 
at the cross roads in Madison township. 

CORBLY SNIDER, farmer, residing on section 36, in Washington 
township; was born July 18, 1825, in Monongahela count}^, Virginia; 
came to Iowa in 1844, and finally settled in Johnson county in 1848, after 
making his home in Washington county four years. He was married 
October 1, 1848, to Miss Louisa J. Simonton, of Johnson county. They 
have eight children, all living: F. Marion, Amyntha L., Annie, wife of 
Charles Deerdorf, Grant U. S., Decora, Olive, Ella and Sherman C He 
began life a poor boy, but is now one of Washington township's most 
successful farmers, with 600 acres of land, well improved, good buildings, 
a brick barn 32x72 feet, and orchard of 300 apple trees, and plenty of 
small fruit. His specialties are good cattle and horses, and plenty of them. 
His farm is nearly all in grass. He begun with pioneer life and has lived 
to see the wild prairie upon which he first came for a home to be trans- 
formed into a grand agricultural paradise, all settled up with good citizens 
and industrious farmers, and has accumulated for himself and family a 
goodly portion of this world's wealth, to make himself comfortable in old 
age. 

J. K. SNYDER, a bee-keeper at Tiffin; was born June 24, 1849, in 
Huntington county, Pennsylvania; came to Johnson county and settled 
about one mile north of Tiflin, in October, 1865. He began selling goods 
in Tiffin and kept at that business for seven years, and in 1879 he began 
the bee business; had a few swarms in 1878; in 1879 he began making 
Roots, lawn or chaff' hive; in 18S0 he had twenty-four swarms; durmg the 
winter he lost eighteen swarms, so that in the spring of 1881 he only had 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 



927 



six hives of bees, that fall he had thirty-nine hives, in the spring he lost 
two of them, leaving him thirt}- -seven, and in August, 18S2, he had seventy- 
five hives.' He received from them during 3 882 to August 1st, 3,200 lbs.; 
he worked seven hives on the shares, and got from them 800 lbs., making 
to August 1st, about 4,000 lbs. of honey taken, and a splendid chance of 
taking a large amount more before the season is over. Is a republican in 
politics, and a member of the M. E. Church at Tifhn. 

ALEXANDER SORTER, was born in Cuyahoga, county, Ohio, 
December, 1842. He has been three times elected to the office of county 
recorder, in 1875, 1877 and 1879. He resigned in 1882 and went into the 
grain business in South Enghsh. When the war broke out he enlisted in 
the Fifty-fourth Indiana regiment, Company I, and served six months. 
He went to Ohio and enHsted in the Second Ohio Artillery, where he 
served until the close of the war. He settled in Iowa in 1865, and worked 
on his father's farm for three years. Then bought a farm of his own and 
farmed two years and then engaged in the grocery business in Iowa City, 
until 1875, he went to buying grain in Oxford. In the fall of that year 
the democratic party placed him in nomination for recorder, and he was 
elected and held the office for nearly three terms. He is a good business 
man, and his efforts in life have brought him success in every thing he has ' 
undertaken. He is engaged in the grocery business on Dubuque street. 

J. O. SPENCER, a resident of Sharon township, post-office, Iowa 
City, was born Sept. 1, 1828, in York State. He came to Iowa in 1869. 
He was married Nov. 10, 1850, to Miss Lydia A. Morse of Oneida 
county, New York. They have one daughter, Florence, a young lady 
engaged in teaching music. He has been engaged in the butter and 
cheese business a great many years. He with his wife has charge of the 
Sharon Cheese and Butter Factory. They took charge of this factory in 
May, 1881, and made the first cheese for the company; the business is run 
on the co-oporative plan. His wife is a Methodist. He is independent 
in politics and works hard and faithfully to make an honest Hving. He 
has proved beyond a doubt that a cheese factory in Sharon township is a 
success. 

SAMUEL SPINDEN, a farmer and stock raiser residing on sec- 
tion eight, Graham township, post-office address, Morse; was born Dec. 
2, 1832, in Switzerland, son of Ulerick and Annie Spinden. Came to 
Amertca with his parents when but six months old and settled in Monroe 
county, Ohio, in 1833. They left there and settled in Iowa City in the 
spring of 1847. He finally settled in Newport (now Graham) township, 
in 1861. He was married in 1861 to Miss Louisa Albright of Newport 
township. They have ten children, seven of whom are living, four boys 
and three girls. The family are members of the Germaa Methodist 
Church. _ 



928 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

A. W. ST ALE Y, farmer and stock dealer, post-office, Solon; was born in 
Muskingum county, Ohio, Oct. 10, 1842, and emigrated to Iowa in 1851 
and settled in Big Grove township with his parents, Jacob and Phoebe; 
here he has since resided, with the exception of four years, he was in the 
Lake Superior regions in the copper mines. He now owns 100 acres of 
land and for the past nine years has been engaged in buying and feeding 
stock. He was married Sept. 9, 1861, to Ruth Payn, daughter of James 
Payn of Solon. By this union there are twelve children as follows: Mary 
E., Lucy E., Wifliam W., Charles E. and Martha J., twins, Clara C, 
Edward E., Joseph E., Sophronia A., Clay F., Lulu A. and Gracie May. 

RUDOLPH STARTZER, farmer, post-office, Ely, Linn county; 
was born in Germany, March 7, 1823, and in 1839 emigrated to America, 
and settled in section 5, Big Grove township in 1841. He followed hunting 
for a number of years, being one of the most successful hunters in the 
country ; he and his brother-in-law, David Miller, in one fall killing sixty- 
three wolves. He now owns 365 acres of land ; his home farm of 200 acres 
being well improved, and has a fine vineyard, and an orchard of 500 fruit 
trees. He was married in September, 1847, to Mary A. Fackler, daughter 
of Valentine Fackler; she dying in 1850. Two children of this marriage 
are living: Jacob and Emma. He was again married in 1851 to Sarah 
Fackler, a sister of his first wife, by whom he has had nineteen children, 
twelve now living: George, Samuel, Lydia, Valentine, Melinda, Francis, 
Peter, Ella, Rudolph, Sarah, Maggie and Nettie. 

CHARLES W. STALEY, post-office, Oxford; was born in Roanoke 
county, Virginia, March 8, 1847, where he spent* his boyhood days, and 
came to Johnson county, and this township in 1860, and has since been 
engaged in farming, and is now building a brick hotel in Oxford. He 
was married January 1, 1871, to Miss Susan P. Scott, a native of Ohio, 
and now have three children: Eva A,, John B. and Charles S. He is a 
member of the A. O. U. W. lodge at Oxford. 

OLIVER STARTSMAN, a resident of Iowa City, a practical watch- 
maker and silver-smith; was born June 16, 1827; came to Iowa City in 
May, 1854, and began the silver-smith business, and has continued in it 
ever since, and is the only business man in Iowa City that has been in busi- 
ness as long as he has that has not changed his business. He was mar- 
ried May 30, 1862, to Miss Fannie O. Fracker, of Iowa City, daughter of 
George Fracker. This union is blessed with four children: Minnie J., 
Nellie M., Harry F. and Charles W. He is a republican in politics. A 
prominent member of the Masonic bodies of Iowa City; also of the I. O. 
O. F., and other secret benevolent organizations. His store is on the south 
side of Washington street, near Clinton street, is a model of neatness, and 
contains everything that is known to be kept in his line of goods. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 929 

JOSEPH J. STACH, a resident of Iowa City; was born July 5,1849, 
in Pilsen, Austria; came to America in 1856, and settled in Johnson county 
in 1867. Mr. Stack is a cooper by trade, but worked at farming with 
Alexander Sorter. He was married February 18, 1874, to Miss Theresa 
Pohler, of Newport township. This union is blessed with three children: 
Mary, Philip and Joseph. His wife is a daughter of George Pohler, of 
Newport township. They are members of the St. Mary's Roman Catholic 
Church of Iowa City. He is a democrat in politics, and voted against the 
prohibitory constitutional amendment. 

JOHN W. STEEL, farmer, post-office Shoo Fly; was born in York 
county Pa., Dec. 2, 1825, where he spent his boyhood days, and in 1845, 
moved to Mansfield, Ohio. In 1846 he enlisted in the Mexican war for 
one year, and served about fourteen months. He then returned to Ohio 
and came to Iowa in 1848, and located land in the north part of Louisa 
county, on his land warrant. He now lives in section 23, Fremont town- 
ship, and owns 173 acres where he moved in 1851, and has a very fine 
improved farm and fine buildings, and pays his attention to farming and 
raising stock. He was married March 13, 1862, to Miss Jane Morris, a 
native of Ohio, Columbiana countv. They are members of the Church of 
God. 

JOSEPH STEELE, the only physician in Tiffin, Iowa; was born Nov. 

10, 1856, in Boston, Mass. His parents moved to and settled in Delaware 
county, Iowa, in 1858. He graduated from the medical department of 
State University of Iowa, in March, 1881, and began practice in Tiffin in 
October, 1881. He is a minister of the M. E. Church at Tiffin. Is a 
republican in politics. 

JACOB STONEBARGER, deceased; was born in Cumberland 
county, Pa., Dec. 15, 1821, where he spent his early life. He then moved 
to Clark county, Ohio. He there learned the carpenter and cabinet 
maker's trade, and built two large furniture factories, which were both 
burned, he losing heavily. He emigrated to Iowa the spring of 1856, and 
settled in section three, Fremont township, when he bought 160 acres of 
land; this then being wild prairie. He built a house and commenced to 
improve, and year by year added more to his original purchase, and at 
the time of his death Nov. 27, 1867, he owned 640 acres, and had his 
home farm of 320 acres well improved. He was married in Ohio, March 

11, 1852, to Miss Mary Peoples, a native of Lancaster county. Pa; born 
Dec. 31, 1830, and came to Ohio when eight years of age. She is now 
living on the home farm. They have five children: Frank A., born 
May 2, 1854; Albert J., born May 30, 1856; George W., born March 3, 
1858, and married to Miss Lucy Oglevee; Sarah J., born June 8, 1860, 
now Mrs. E. C. Lee; Jacob Elmer, born Dec. 20, 1866. The Stonebar- 
ger Brothers now farm 720 acres of land, and are dealing in fine blooded 



930 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

stock. Frank is dealing more especially in pure bred Clydesdale horses, 
having had several imported horses in the last few years; having exhibited 
at many county and State Fairs, and taken many first premiums for pure 
bred animals. He and B. H. Owens formerly owned "Scotland Glory," 
"Prince Charles", "Donald Devenie", and are the present owners of 
"Osian," all pure bred horses. They are also breeders and dealers in half 
and three quarter bred horses. 

JERRY STOVER, a farmer and stock-raiser, residing in Liberty 
township, post-office, Iowa City; was born September 7, 1819, near Rich- 
mond, Indiana; came to Johnson county from South Bend, Indiana in 
1838; quite a number of families came with their family, among them 
were James Magruder, William Kelso, John Kelso and William Ward. 
Joseph Stover, the father of the subject of this sketch, crossed the Iowa 
River and settled in Iowa county, east of Lyttle Citv, and lived there 
from the spring until the fall of 1840, when Jerry, his oldest son became 
twenty-one years of age, and he was not content with the selection his 
father had made, and he came down to Iowa City and selected and settled 
on the farm now owned by his brother, Jacob Stover, below the fair 
grounds. His father, Joseph Stover, died in 1875, at the advanced age of 
ninety-five years. His mother died in 1867. His father's family settled 
in Indiana in 1810. He had a family of eleven children. Those now liv- 
ing are Elizabeth, widow of Joseph Walker, Sarah, the widow of 
Joseph W\allace, who was drowned in the Iowa River opposite of 
David Cox's ford at Gilbert's old trading house in the year 1857; 
Catherine, the widow of Joseph Weaver, now living in Erie, Neosho 
county, Kansas; Polly, wife of Benjamin Ritter of Iowa City, the first 
woman married in Johnson county; Ruth, wife of James McGruder; 
Jacob Y., who lives on the old homestead near Iowa City; Susan- 
nah, wife of Isaac Smith of Iowa City, and Rachael, wife of Abra- 
ham Smith, died in 1858, and John Stover, died in 1858, just after 
his return from California. Joseph, the subject of this sketch, was mar- 
ried in 185H, to Miss Eliza Boos, of Pleasant Valley township. They 
have eleven children, eight of whom are now living: John, Joseph E., 
Levisa; Scott, Ephemia, Charles, Ella and Jacob. The family are mem- 
bers of the Christian Church in Iowa City. Mr. Stover has a fine farm 
of 300 acres of land in Liberty township, on Old Man's creek, about three 
miles from where that stream empties into the Iowa River. He settled 
on the farm upon which he now resides in 1856, after his return from Cali- 
fornia, where he went in compan}' with Robert Hutchenson of Iowa City, 
in November, 1849, and landed in San Francisco in April, 1850. Mr. S. 
is a republican in politics, was a member of the Agricultural Society in 
1857, and has served a great many years on the school board. He makes 
a specialty of raising Short-horn cattle and fine Clydesdale horses. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 931 

is the owner of a fine sorrel stallion named " Burt," sixteen hands high, 
and weighs 1400 pounds, with a light mane and tail. 

GUST AVE STRUB, a merchant in Iowa City, on the corner of Linn 
and Davenport streets, in the building generally known as the old Balti- 
more House, built in 1855 for a hotel, and was used as such for a good 
many years. He was born September 28, 1828, in Baden, Germany; 
came to America in 1848, and finally settled In Iowa City, in 1856. He 
was married November 8, 1849, to Miss May A. Bush of Baden, Ger- 
many. They have seven children : Herman A., Kattie, wife of Hibner 
of Tifl=in, Iowa; Albert A., Augusta G., Rosa E.,5Franz, Agnes M. He is 
a democrat in politics, and voted against the prohibitory constitutional 
amendment. 

JAMES B. STRANG, post-office, Gregg, one of the most successful 
farmers, stock-raisers, and stock-feeders in Johnson county; was born in 
Winchester county. New York, August 26, 1829; son of John and Mary 
Strang. His early education was received in the^common schools, though 
he went two years to Somer's Academy, New York. He then clerked 
one year in a mercantile house in Peakskill. He then followed farming 
two years, clearing $1,800, which was the foundation upon which he 
erected his subsequent fortune. He was marrried to Miss Julia 
Bailey, March 23, 1853, daughter of Lyman Bailey, of Putman county, 
New York, They have nine children living: Laura, Mary F., Clar- 
ence, Medora, Julia, Ella and Willie (twins). Ward, and Belle. In 
1854 he came to Iowa, and settled in this county, where he has 
since resided. By intelligent energy, and judicious management, 
he has become the possessor of 1112 acres of land, mostly in 
section 19, which is one of the finest estates in the county. The 
soil is rich and inexhaustible, and the improvements are first-class, having 
about ten miles of good fence on his farm. Commencing as he he did a 
poor boy, Mr Strang has reason to be proud of his financial achievements. 
In the fall of 1877 he was elected a member of the board of supervisors 
of this county, which oflice he now holds, having been re-elected in 1880. 
In all his official acts nothing can be said to his discredit. Mr. Strang is 
seeding his farm preparatory to turning his attention exclusively to stock- 
grazing, having at present 140 head of cattle, 400 sheep, 80 head of hogs, 
and a choice lot of horses. His farm lies along the lowasriver, making it 
second to none in the county for that purpose. A democrat in politics. 

JESSE K. STRAWBRIDGE, a resident of Graham township; was 
born April 28, 1819, in York county, Pennsylvania. He left there in 1830, 
and settled near Richmond, Indiana, in Wayne county. March 29, 1842, 
he left Richmond, and landed in Cincinnati x^pril 9, 1842, by stage-coach 
and steamboat; he landed in Muscatine, Iowa, and then by stage to Iowa 
City. He spent five years in Richmond, Indiana, learning the saddlers 



932 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

and harness trade. He was married September 21, 1840, to Miss Eliza- 
beth J. Horner, of Richmond, Indiana. They have nine children: Martha, 
wife of Gilbert Irish; Josephine, Joseph F., Robert, Oscar, Mar^retta, 
Ada, Thomas, and Frank. He was president of tiie first school board in 
Graham township. In politics he is a democrat and voted against the 
prohibitory constitutional amendment. 

HENRY STROHM, a nurseryman, residing on Summit street in 
Iowa City; was born February 4, 1821, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. 
He went to Montgomery county, Ohio, and near Dayton married Miss 
KaufTman, December 29, 1847. They have four sons and two daughters: 
John W., Benjamin F., Henry C, Charles B., Alice May, and Carrie 
Ella. He came to Iowa City in 1851, and began the nursery business, and 
thirty-one 3'ears' experience has proved to him that Iowa is a good state 
for fruits of all kinds, if properly attended and planted in proper season in 
suitable ground. He keeps in his nursery all kinds of fruit, shade, and 
ornamenal trees. He is a republican in politics; has held several offices 
of honor, profit and trust in the city, township, and county; was a member 
of the board of supervisors for three years; township trustee several terms 
and a member of the city council. He has been treasurer of the State 
Horticultural Society for eight years, and of the Eastern Horticultural 
Society since its organization. 

JOHN T. STRUBLE, of Scott township, section 7, post-office, Iowa 
City; was born in Sussex county. New Jersey, November 5, 1831. His 
occupation is farming, and breedmg of fine farm horse; his father once 
owned the farm upon which was fought the battle of Laurel Hill, Virginia; 
in 1863 he moved from Tunnel Hill, Virginia, to Knox county, Ohio, and 
in March 28, 1852, settled in Iowa City. He was married September 28, 
1854, to Miss Virginia Snyder, of Iowa City; his father w^as an old set- 
tler and architect of the State University building. They have the fol- 
lowing named children: Nora, wife of Horace Denton, of Cass county, 
Iowa; Sarah, Harlen, Elmer, Linton, Luella, George and John. Mr. Stru- 
ble had the contract for building the present Court House of Johnson 
county; he also helped build the St. Agatha Seminary, first designed for a 
hotel; he also worked on the Catholic and Congregational Churches of 
Iowa City. In 1850 he bought the farm upon which he now resides. 

DR. DAVID STEWART, a resident of Penn township, post-office 
North Liberty; was born in Huntington county, Pennsylvania, March 24, 
1831. He left there in 1855, and settled in Stevenson county, Illinois, and 
in 1860 came to North Libert}-, Penn township. He graduated at Jeffer- 
son College, Pennsylvania, in 1854, and began the practice of medicine in 
Pennsylvania; in that year practiced in Stevenson county, Illinois, and con- 
tinued the practice of medicine until he entered the army, as captain of 
company E, Twenty-eighth Iowa Infantry; he was made assistant surgeon 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 933 

of the Twenty-eicrht Infantry, December 27, 1862. He was married in 
18d5 to Miss Winafred Duff. They have seven children: Marv Wina- 
fred, Charles, William, Emma, Alex., Georgia. He is a republican in 
pohtics, and holds an appointment as United States guager at the Iowa 
Distillery. 

ROBERT STEWART, was born February 14, 1798, in Huntington 
county, Pennsylvania, died in Johnson county, Iowa, January, 1880 Mr 
Stewart was of that stalwart Scotch-Irish stock that early sought the hill 
country and the mountains of the Atlantic colonies, and that gave to this 
Republic Andrew Jackson, Jno. C. Calhoun and a score of other states- 
men and soldiers who bore the stamp of their stout blood in their faces 
His father lived to be ninety years old and he passed four score. Fifty-four 
years ago he married Miss Ann T. Macdonald; to them were born nine 
children. Jonathan of Rock City, 111., James, dead, David, of Johnson 
?"". J' ^^^^°"^^-^^l' «f Johnson county, Charles M., of Pennsylvania, Sarah 
A. Mrs. Osborne, of Wisconsin, Mary A., Mrs. John Cunningham, of 
Nebraska, Nancy J., Mrs. James Bain, of Johnson county, and John T of 
this city. He came to this county in 1865, and had the warm hear'ted 
ways ot old fashioned hospitality. 

MARIA E. STUART, a resident of Iowa City, and the only surviv- 
ing member of the family of Peter Roberts, one oi the early and promi- 
nent settlers in Iowa City. She was born December 31, 1850, on College 
street, in Iowa City. October 4, 1870, she was united in the bonds of 
holy matrimony to Captain James E. Stuart. Peter Roberts, father of 
Mrs. Stuart, was born April 30, 1809, in Bucks county, Pennsylvania He 
settled m Iowa City May 10, 1841. He was married October 27, 1846 
to Mrs. Maria B. Cox. They had two children, William P., who 
died Apri^ 19, 1856 and Maria E., wife of Captain Stuart. Mrs. Rob- 
erts died October 20, 1871, and Mr. Roberts died July 10, 1878. He took 
an interest in public affairs, and was a member of the first city council in 
1853, from the third ward, and in 1857, from the second ward, and 1877- 
78, represented the second ward in the city council. 

• ^ ^' kV^^^^' !^'"'^''' ^^^^' township, post-office, Solon; was born 
m Irumbull county, Ohio, September 10, 1834, and is a son of Allen C 
and Nancy Sutlitf, who came to this county in December, 1838, they 
bemg natives of Connecticut, and took up a claim where the subject of 
this sketch now resides, where he has spent his life, and now owns 287 
acres of land, all under cultivation but a few acres of timber. He was 
married January 26, 1856, to Caroline E. Langdon, daughter of Luther 
Langdon of this township, she being born in Connecticut. By this union 
they have three children: Flora V., Minnie and Harvey S. Mr. Sutliffis 
a member of the Masonic fraternity. 

FRANK SULEK, a farmer, residing in Jefferson township, post-office, 
Shueyville; was born August 10,1843, in Bohemia, Austria; came to 



934 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

America January 24, 1854. He was married January 1, 1868, to Miss 
Anna Beck, of Shueyville. This union is blessed with seven children: 
Beatrice, Uldrich, Fredrick, Edward, Liberty, Antonia and Frank. Mr. S. 
is a democrat in [politics; was justice of the peace one term, is now the 
treasurer of the school board; has filled the office of township clerk and 
assessor. He is badly crippled in the hand, caused by getting it caught 
in a threshing machine. He has a fine farm; school house is situated on 
his farm; also the Sulek grave-yard. 

MRS. SARAH B. SWAFFORD. The subject of this sketch was 
born February 9, 1821, in the town of Eaton, Ohio. She died June, 1875; 
she came to Iowa City in 1842 and became the wife of L. S. SwafTord, in 
August, 1848. She joined the Baptist Church at fourteen years of age, 
and in whose communion she remained until death. For thirty-three years 
residence in Johnson county, her life unfolds upon the fond memory of 
a bereaved circle an unbroken example of an afl^ectionate and faithfiil devo- 
tion to all the home duties and tender responsibilities which grew up 
around her. 

CALEB J. SWEET, f;irmer and stock-raiser, post-office, Lone Tree; 
was born in Champaign county, Ohio, February 12, 1834. He is a son of 
David and Lydia Sweet, who came to this county in 1838 and settled, 
where Mrs. Sweet and the subject of our sketch still lives in section 6, 
Fremont township. Mr. Sweet dying September 19, 1844; he was born 
January 27, 1801, and Mrs. Sweet was born January 1, 1801. Mrs. 
Sweet was left with five small children to make a living for, and farm not 
paid for, but she finished paying it ofi' and still enjoys good health, sight 
and memory. The subject of this sketch went to California in 1853 across 
the plains, and followed mining until 1859, when he returned by way of 
the Isthmus and New York. He enlisted in company G, Second Iowa 
Cavalry, at Davenport, in a Muscatine company, and served three years 
and one month; he was taken prisoner at Boone ville. Miss., and was in 
the prisons at Mobile, Alabama, Macon, Georgia, and also at Libby prison, 
where he was paroled after being a prisoner four months and twenty days. 
Since the war he has been paying his attention to farming and raising 
stock, and now owns 020 acres of land; he feeds considerable stock every 
year. He has never married. 

WILLIAM T. SWEET, farmer, post-office, Lone Tree; was born in 
Champaign county, Ohio, March 29, 1832, and is a son of David and 
Lydia Sweet, who came to Johnson county in 1838. Here the subject of 
our sketch spent his boyhood days, and in 1852 he and Thomas Miller 
went to California, driving an ox team, they being six months on the road. 
He remained there seventeen years, and followed mining and farming, 
freighting, etc. In 1869 he returned to Johnson county, where he has 
since resided, and now owns 160 acres of land. He was married May 
25, 1875, to Miss Mary E. Hillhouse, a native of Illinois, she being a 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 935 

daughter of John C. Hillhouse. They have four children : David, born 
April 2, 1876; William C, born February 5, 1878; Louisa A., born June 
6, 1880, and Joshua F., born May 5, 1882. Mr. Sweet is a member of 
the A. F. & A. M. No. 4, Iowa City, also of the A. O. U. W 

BENJAMIN SWISHER, farmer, post-ofKce, Shueyville, Jefferson 
township; was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, April 2, 1817. Was the 
son of John and Catharine Swisher. His father died when he was four 
years old, and his mother when he was seven. He then, lived with his 
uncle until he was twenty-one. In 1840 he came to Iowa, and staid in 
Van Buren county until in March, 1841, when he came to this county. He 
first lived in what is now Monroe township. In 1844 he moved to Jeffer- 
son township, where he now resides in section seven, where he owns 
437 acres of land. May 16, 1841, he was married to Mrs. Elizabeth 
Whitmore, formerly from Newport, Rhode Island, it being the first wed- 
ding in this township. To them were born eight children, six of whom 
are living: Lovell A., in Iowa City Bank; Abe E., attorney, Iowa City; 
John P., attorney. Cedar Rapids; Benjamin F., farmer, Cherokee county; 
Catharine Ballard, Stephen A., insurance agent, Iowa City. His wife 
died August 9, 1875. Mr. Swisher is now the oldest resident of this town- 
ship, having lived here forty-one years. His son-in-law, Mr. Ballard, is 
farming his place on shares. Mr. Swisher makes his home with him. 

JOSHUA P. SWITZER, farmer, section 10, post-ofl^ce. Riverside; 
was born in Carroll county, Maryland, July 29, 1853, and came to Johnson 
county when four years of age; is a son of John Switzer, now deceased, 
who was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, in 1806; was married in 
1837 to Miss ElizaDeth Wolfe, who is still living. Ten children were born 
to them, as follows: James L., Susan R., Jacob C, Sarah E., Abraham 
F., John D., Charles E., Margaret E., Joshua P., and Joseph E. They 
came to this county and settled in Liberty township in 1857, where, June 
2, 1860, Mrs. Switzer died. Mr. Switzer was a republican. 

A. C. SWOFFORD, attorney at law. Big Grove township, post-office, 
Solon; was born August 2, 1846, in Cedar township, Johnson count3^ He 
was married July 22, 1869, to Miss Dora A. Haight, of Jesup, Buchanan 
county, Iowa. By this union they had four children: Laura P., Julia I., 
Charles B., Colvin G.; Laura P. and Charles G.; this wife is dead. He" was 
married again September 16, 1878, to Miss Bertha M. Tentler, of Solon, 
Iowa; one child by this marriage: Maynard. He is a member of the 
Masonic Lodge, No. 385, of Solon; he was assessor of Cedar township 
five years, also justice of the peace. He is a greenbacker in politics, and 
was their candidate for auditor in 1877 ; he was master of the Grange Lodge 
in Cedar township. He is a promising young lawyer of no ordinary 
ability. 



936 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

C. G. SWOFFORD, a resident of Solon; engaged in general merchan- 
dise trade; was born January 9, 1850, in Johnson county, Iowa, and is the 
senior member of the firm of Swoftord Bros., doing business in Solon. He 
was married October 10, 1872, to Miss Martha C. Hemmingsway, of 
Cedar township. 'They have five children: Harley E., dead; Alice L., 
Myrtle M., Claude C, and Hazel. He is a member of the Masonic 
Lodge, No. ;>S8, at Solon. Is a republican in politics, and voted against 
the amendment. He was one of the first students at the Iowa State Agri- 
cultural College, did not graduate on account of his health. Was one 
year in the drug trade in Solon ; three years in the insurance business, before 
he was in the drug trade; he was treasurer of school district number two, 
Cedar township for several years; he was appointed postmaster of Solon, 
July IS, ISS"!. T. G. Swoftord, the junior member of the firm, was born 
August 12, 18,52. Is a republican in politics; voted for the amendment. Is 
a member of Wayfaring Lodge, No. 385, A. F. and A. M., Solon, and he is 
deputy postmaster. 

JAMES D.TEMPLIN; was born in 1818, died August 25, 1882. He 
was married November 11, 1840, to Miss Jane Stevenson, of Ross county, 
Ohio. They had four children: John W., living in Washington county, 
Iowa, an attorney at law; Rebecca E., now Mrs. Ogden, living in Iowa 
City; Mary P., living in Iowa City, and James S., Jiving near Iowa City. 
Came to Iowa City in 1845, and preached about one year; went away in 
1846; read law in Muscatine, and was admitted to practice, and settled in 
Iowa City in 1848. He was a candidate on the democratic ticket in 1856 for 
State Senator, and the democrat candidate for Congress in 1864. He was 
a Methodist, and for several years preached for that denomination ; he was 
admitted to the Supreme Court of United States, December 3, 1866, on 
motion of Judge James Grant. He was a graduate of Oxford Univer- 
sity, and was a teacher in that institution for a time. He is the author of 
the abridgment of the Iowa decisions issued in 1874. A democrat in 
politics; his wife died January 5, 1878. 

FRANK TANNER, a resident of Iowa City, a blacksmith by trade 
and senior member of the firm of Tanner & Baker, wholesale and retail 
dealers in hardware and dealers in agricultural implements, wagons and 
buggies; was born August 19, 1850, in New York city, came to Johnson 
county and Iowa City in 1863. He was man-ied October 8, 1871, to Miss 
Belle Dimmick, of Lincoln township, Johnson county, Iowa. They have 
five children: John F., Rosalee, Samuel H., Belle and Mariania. He is 
a member of the A. O. U. W., L. of H., Royal Arcanum, and V. A. S. 
of Iowa City. A democrat in politics; was elected a member of the city 
council from the fifth ward in 1880 and 1882, and elected member of the 
board of supervisors of Johnson county in 1882. He began business at 
Nos. 110 and 112 Washington street, March, 1882, as successor to F. C. 
Dooley, as hardware merchant. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 937 

PERRY TANTLINGER, the owner and proorietor of the village of 
Tiffin, in Clear Creek township. This village was laid out on the farm 
owned b}' Rolla Johnson and was sold in 1866 by him to Mr. Tantlinger, 
being a farm of 200 acres, 16 acres have been sold off in town lots, eleven 
families live in the village, they have one church, the Christian; a dry 
goods and grocer}^ store, one ph3^sician, two blacksmith shops, one hotel 
and a grain elevator. The village has not been so prosperous since the 
farm upon which it is located passed into the hands of Mr. Tantlinger. 
He had some trouble with the railroad company and with the people and 
refused to sell any more ground, and is not now selling lots, the conse- 
quences are the town ceased to grow in business enterprise. Mr. Tant- 
linger was born March 12, IS 14, in Summerset county, Pennsylvania. 
He came to Johnson county in 18-14, and has accumulated a considerable 
quantity of solid wealth. He was formerly a democrat, but since the Abe 
Lincoln campaign in 1860, he has been a republican. 

WILLIAM H. TAYLOR, a resident of Iowa City, and merchant 
tailor, doing business at No. 15 on Clinton street, near the post-office; was 
born March 16, 1829, in Cheshire, England, came to America June 22, 1856, 
and to Iowa City, July 8, 1856, landed in Boston. He was married 
November 9, 1854, at Manchester, England, to Miss Jane E. Shelden. 
They have four children : Joseph E., Jennie, William H. and Carrie A. 
He is a member of the Masonic bodies of Iowa City, and A. O. U. W. 
No. 4. Democrat in politics. 

MATHEW TEN EICK, was born in Monmouth county, New Jersey, 
August 12, 1805. He was a farmer by occupation and the owner of 298 
acres of land, all under cultivation. At the age of ten years his parents 
moved to Montgomery county, Ohio, where he received a common 
school education. He was married to Salome Cole, daughter of John and 
Hannah Cole, June 19, 1832. Mrs. TenEick is of German and Irish 
ancestry. They had ten children, eight of whom are living; their names 
are: William P., Tunis C, Mary H., Auslom, John F., Cornelia, Mathew; 
Tilly S. and Salome are deceased. Mr. Ten Eick built the first house 
that was ever built in Iowa City, in July, 1839. Their daughter, Mary, 
was the first child born in Iowa City. 

WILLIAM P. TEN EICK, Scott township, post-office, Iowa City; is 
a son of Mathew Ten Eick, and was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, 
May 26, 1833. He settled with his parents in Johnson county July 9, 
1839. His occupation is farming. He was married October 20, 1858, to 
Miss Margaret Hunter, a native of Ohio; she was born July 20, 1844. 
They have a family of nine children, five of whom are still living: Char- 
lotte, Frank, Eddie, Matthew and Joseph; those dead are: Rubin, Mary, 
Maggie and Josie. He is the owner of 177 acres of land, all under culti- 
vation, in section 16, Scott township. 



93S HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

WALTER TERRELL, a retired citizen, living in East Lucas town- 
ship, at Terrell's mill, on the Iowa river, north of Iowa Cit}^ was born 
April 14, 1805, in Caroline county, Virginia. He was educated at the 
public schools in Virginia. He was the owner of Terrell's mill, built by 
him in 1843. The main building is 22x40, three stories high, the other 
additions have been built since. It has three run of four-foot burrs, and 
three run of three and a half foot burrs. All the machinery in this mill 
is of the very latest improvement. Mr. Terrell sold this property to Jacob 
Sam in 1867, and after a few years it passed into other hands, and at the 
time the bank washed out in October, 1881, it was owned b}- Jacob J. 
Deitz and Joseph Hemnier of Iowa City. The dam is perfecth' sound and 
in fair condition. The cut in the bank draws the water away from the mill, 
and business at the mill was suspended. The mill was sold on a foreclos- 
ure of a mortgage, and bought by Mrs. and Miss Terrell for $4,000. 
Before the washout the parties that owned the mill asked $3^,000 for it 
and the water privileges. It was the first dam across the Iowa river. The 
privilege of erecting a mill and using water power was granted Mr. 
Terrell by the territorial legislature of Iowa. He was married in 1850 to 
Miss M. T. Crew of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. They had one child, a daugh- 
ter, Marv A. His wife died August 13, 1853, and May 4, 1854, he was 
married to Miss J. T. Crew of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. He is independent in 
politics, never held an office in his Hfe, and has lived the life of a private 
citizen in the extreme sense of the word. He was engaged in civil engin- 
eering in the early part of his business life on a great many railroads in 
Indiana and Illinois. This brief sketch hardly does justice to Mr. Terrell, 
but his extreme modesty came near preventing us getting as much for 
this history as we have. He is one of the very earliest pioneer settlers in 
Johnson county, and made some of the finest public improvements by way 
of providing a good mill for the pubhc. 

LEE THARPE, a farmer, residing in Lincoln township, post-office, 
Downey: was born October 22, 1835, in Pike county, Ohio. He settled 
in Linn county, Iowa, in 1857, and in Johnson county in 1866. He was 
married in October, 1853, to Miss Sarah E. Wells of Louisa county, Iowa. 
The have six children: Martha J., wife of William Miller: Mary L., 
Orvie A., Roenna, Frederick Geddis and William Roy. Mr. Tharpe is 
a republican in politics. 

JOHN H. THOMPSON, a farmer and stock-raiser, residing in Gra- 
ham township, on section 25, post-office address. Oasis; was born in 1831 
in Harrison county, Ohio; he is a son of John C.and Rebecca Thompson; 
came to Iowa and settled in Graham township in 1852. He was married 
in 1857 to Miss Henrietta Perrin, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Perrin 
ot Morgan county, Ohio. They have seven children. 

REV. HENRY M. THOMPSON, the resident pastor of the First 
Baptist Church in Iowa City, was born November 26, 1854, in Windsor 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 939 

Vermont. In 1878 he graduated from Cobley Universit}^ at Waterville, 
Maine, and completed his studies at the Baptist Theological Seminary in 
Newton Center, Massachusetts. He preached one year and a half for a 
Baptist congregation at St. Marys, Ohio, previous to coming to Iowa 
City in November, 1881. He was married November 3, 1880. His efforts 
in Iowa City seems to be crowned with success, and he appears as quite a 
favorite among his people, as well as with the general public. 

GRAHAM THORN, a farmer, residing in Monroe township, post- 
office, Gregg; was born March 27, 1824, in Putnam county, New York. 
He settled in Johnson county in 18C6; he Hved eleven 3'ears in DuPage 
county, Illinois. He was married in September, 1851, to Miss Laura M. 
Baley, of Putnam county. New York; she died May 30, 1878, leaving 
four children: Emftia, Eva, Alma, Rufus C, Emma, is the wife of Wil- 
son Blaine, county superintendent of. public schools; Eva, wife of John 
Hemstead: Alma, wife of Levi Anderson. Mr. Thorn is a democrat in 
politics; he has held the office of postmaster three years for the Gregg 
post-office, a justice of the peace four years, clerk of the school board two 
years, township clerk for eight years, which office he now holds. 

CAPT. J. A. L. TICE, a resident of Iowa City; was born September 
29, 1829, in Lebanon count}', Pennsylvania. A coach-maker by trade. 
During the war he raised company G, Seventeenth Regiment Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteer Infantry, and was elected its captain; he raised this com- 
pany and traveled forty-six miles in forty-two hours, after getting authority. 
He was married May 13, 18.52, to Miss Maria Eckel, of Fremont, Penn- 
sylvania. This union is blessed with two children: Ellen, wife of J. H. 
Keating, of Sedalia, Missouri, and Mary C, wife of Robert M. Combe, 
of Oxford, Iowa. Member of the Presbyterian Church of Iowa City. A 
member of the Masonic bodies of Iowa City, and a charter member of 
the Iowa Legion of Honor, and charter member of the German A. O.U. 
W. of Iowa City, and now deputy supreme president for the State of 
Iowa of the United Order of Honor. A republican in politics; was 
appointed city treasurer March 25, 1872, to fill the vacancy occurring by 
the death of John Renick. He was United Stat*^ store-keeper at the Iowa 
City Alcohol Works for three years. 

DAVID TOWNLY; was born April 2, 1835, in Essex county. New 
Jersey; came to Johnson county and settled in Union township in 1859, on 
section 16, and began farming. He is a stone mason by trade, but carries 
on farming also. He was married in May, 1862, to Mrs. Bridget Welsh, 
of Union township. They have four children: Sarah S., Daniel, Annie 
and Mary. He was burned out once by a prairie fire, both house and 
barn, and lost every thing, but by his energy and industry has made fair 
headway after all misfortunes. In politics he is a democrat, and voted 
against the prohibitory constitutional amendment. 



940 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

PETER p. TRIMBLE, poultry man, post-ofRce,Ladora, Iowa count}'-; 
was boi-n in Tennessee, November 23, 1806; at the age of six he went to 
Ohio, where he spent his boyhood days, and came to Johnson county in 
1842, and lived in Iowa City, and he and Wm. May furnished the lime to 
build the capitol buildmg; the lime costing a little over $600. He lived 
in and near the city eleven years; he and his brother built the first jail in 
Iowa City. He has traveled extensively; having lived with his family in 
eighteen States; he is a cooper and cabinet maker by trade, and now owns 
a farm of forty acres at Ladora, Iowa county, and has been engaged in 
the poultry business thirteen ^^ears. He was married in Indiana, January 
1, 1840, to Huldah A. McGuire, a native of Kentucky. This union has 
been blessed with ten children, nine living: Andrew J., William, Charles, 
deceased; Elizabeth, Nancy, Peter F., George H., Jane, Mathew, and 
Arthur. * 

GEORGE TRUMBO, publisher of Oxford Democrat; was born at 
Rockport, Ohio, June 3, 1844; at the age of thirteen he commenced to 
learn the printers' trade, and worked in the Gazette office, at Lima, Ohio, 
seven years; he then went to Van Wert, Ohio, and May 1, 1864, enhsted 
in company C, 151st Ohio Volunteer Infantr}^ and received three wounds 
near Washington, and was discharged on account of being poisoned. He 
then continued in the printing business, and also engaged in the dry goods 
trade about a year and a half, at Beaver Dam, Ohio; he then sold out 
and came to Cedar county, Iowa, in January, 1869, and farmed one season; 
he then bought a half interest in the West Liberty Enterprise^ in Octo- 
ber, 1869, and continued in that office until January, 1875, when he sold 
out, and in October, 1876, started a paper called the Re-porter^ at West 
Liberty, which he published until November, 1877, when he removed his 
office to Riverside, and published the Riverside Times^ then sold out and 
came to Oxford, and started the Oxford Journal^ May 10, 1878, and con- 
tinued its publication until April, 1879; he sold out to Wilson & Tem- 
pleman, and January 26, 1881, he started the Oxford Democrat^ which 
paper he is still publishing. He was married November 7, 1868, to Miss 
Martha W. Read, a native of Allen county, Ohio. They have three 
children: Jessie, Kate and Glenn, and two deceased. 

COL. S. C. TROBRIDGE, a resident of Iowa City, living in a pleas- 
ant home on Iowa Avenue, and the present librarian of the State Histor- 
ical Society. He was the first sheriff of Johnson county, and has held 
several responsible positions of honor, profit and trust. He has been a 
constant witness to all the important passing events in Iowa City from its 
infancy; he is a man of wonderful memory. He was engaged in the drug 
business in Iowa City from 1846 to 1 854, since which time he has lived rather 
a retired life. It is impossible to write the life of this old pioneer, his his- 
tory is so interwoven in all the early history ot Iowa City and Johnson 
county, that hardly a chapter of this history can be written without his 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 941 

beingr identified with some of its facts. We have urged in vain for a per- 
sonal biography from his own lips. He has always declined on the 
grounds that he did not desire to appear too conspicuous in history. He 
has lead a blameless life, doing all the good that he could, living honestly, 
hurting nobody, and always rendering unto everybody their just dues, and 
no person is under more obligation to him for kindness shown, than the 
historian of Johnson county. Col. T. is a republican in politics, and a 
prominent member of the Masonic bodies in Iowa City. Every Wednes- 
day and Saturday of each week he is found at his post of duty in the 
State Historical Society rooms on Washington street, obliging and atten- 
tive to visitors. He has always proved faithful to all trusts in his care. 

NATHAN H. TULLOSS, M. D. The subject of this sketch was 
born March 24, 1826, in East Fairfield, Columbiana county, Ohio, and died 
in Iowa Cit}^ April IJ, 1882. He was married April 1, 1847, to Miss 
Amy Williamson, of Fairfield. He settled in Iowa City, May, 1S61, and 
practiced dentistry until his death. He graduated in dentistry at Phila- 
delphia, Pa., in 1860, and graduated from the Medical College of the 
State University of Iowa in 1871. He was the senior member of the 
Hawkeve Machine Works of Iowa City. His two sons, Frank and Ira, 
learned the machinist trade in one of the largest firms in Ohio, where 
they were trained into such proficiency that now proves their greatest 
pride. He bought the Jones foundry and established his two sons in bus- 
iness, and watched the development of the business with the keenest 
interest. He was eminently public spirited, active in all enterprises for 
the good of the city. He was for a long time a member of the city coun- 
cil, and of the city school board. 

FRANK TULLOSS, a resident of Iowa City, and one of the proprie- 
tors of the Hawkeye machine shop of Iowa City. Was born Aug. 5, 
1857, in Salem, Ohio. He learned the trade of machinist in the Buckeye 
Engine Works of Salem, Ohio. He came to Iowa City in May, 1861. 
He was married Sept. 5, 1876, to Miss Annie Cooper, of Iowa City. 
They have one child, Fredrick. He is a republican in politics. 

IRA E. TULLOwSS, a resident of Iowa City, and one of the proprie- 
tors of the Hawkeye machine shops of Iowa City. Was born January 
10, 1855, in Ceder county, Iowa. Settled in Johnson county, Iowa City, 
in May, 1861. He learned the trade of a moulder in the Buckeye Engine 
Works of Salem, Ohio. He was married Dec. 9, 1874, to Miss Belle 
McMillan, of Salem, Ohio. They have one child, Carrie P. He is a 
member of the A. O. U. W. lodge. No 153, of Iowa City. He is a repub- 
lican in politics. 

EDWARD TUDOR, a resident of Iowa City, and interested in the 
pork packing-house, and other public enterprises in the city; was born 
March 6, 1825, in Wales; settled in Johnson county, Iowa, in April, 



942 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

1845, on Old Man's creek; has been engaged in farming and stock-rais- 
ing. He was married September 16, 1863, to Miss Elizabeth Baxter, of 
Sharon township. They have four children: Mary J., Elizabeth Ruth, 
wife of Evan Rowland of Union township; Cyrus and Richard B, He is 
a republican in politics, and a member of the board of supervisors of John- 
son county in 1869; has been trustee of township, and secretary of the 
school board. He is a stockholder and one of the directors of the pack- 
ing-house in Iowa City. He is a member of the Congregational Church 
on Old Man's Creek. 

}. C. ULUM, stock-dealer, Solon: was born in Licking county, Ohio, 
March 24, 184.5. At the age of ten he emigrated to Iowa with his 
parents, Josiah and Elizabeth Ulum, and settled in Big Grove township. 
Here the subject of this sketch has spent the greater part of his life. He 
was in the army a year and a half and in Ohio two years. He is now 
engaged in buying, feeding, and shipping stock, which he has been 
engaged in for the past ten years. He was married in Ohio December 
25, 1867, to Miss Helen M. Horton, a native of Licking county, Ohio. 
They have two children, Grant and Luella. 

GEORGE ULCH, Cedar township, son of James and Lindmaley Ulch; 
was born in Bohemia, April 19, 1850, and emigrated to America with his 
parents, and came direct to Johnson county, and settled in Cedar town- 
ship, where he has since resided, and now owns 128 acres of land well 
improved. He has held several township offices, and the fall of 1881 was 
elected member of the board of county supervisors, a position he fills with 
honor. He was married October 10, 1871, to Anna Krob, a native of 
Bohemia. They are members of the Catholic Church. 

ADAM UXRATH, a resident of Iowa City, doing a general grocery 
business on the corner of Linn and Market streets; began business August 
28, 1878. He is a blacksmith by trade, having learned his trade in 
Europe; was born February 15, 1830, at Hesse Darmstadt, Germany; 
came to America in March, 1852; landed in New York; worked two years 
on the State-house in Columbus, Ohio, and came to Iowa City in the 
spring of 1855. He was married in October, 1861, to Miss Barbara Mel- 
fold of Iowa City. She died of consumption July 14, 1882. They had 
four children: Mary, John, Philip, and Frank. The family are members 
of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church of Iowa City. He is a democrat 
in politics. 

JOHN R. VANFLEET, was born December 6, 1818 in Wilkesbarre, 
Pennsylvania; died October 6, 1881, in Iowa City, of typhoid fever. He 
came to and settled in Johnson county, Iowa, in 1839. He was married 
September 22, 1848, to Miss Ellen Smith, daughter of John Smith, who 
settled in Liberty township in April, 1840. Miss Smith was born Novem- 
ber 5, 1828, in Butler county, Ohio. Her father was born in Harrisburg, 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 943 

Pennsylvania. They had four children: Hattie, wife of W. E. Crum of 
Bedford, Iowa; Ella V., wife of H. M. Hadley of Davenport: Morgan M., 
married and residing in Bedford, Iowa, and Maude, a daughter residing 
with her mother. A democrat in politics; served his party in several 
offices of honor, profit and trust. He served as a member of the board 
of supervisors; a member of the city council, 1859, 1862, and 1865; served 
on the Iowa City school board a number of years. He was a Mason, and 
a member of the Christian Church in Iowa Citv. 

PETER VONSTEIN, a resident of Penn township, post-office. North 
Liberty; was born December 28, 1819, in Germany; came to America, 
1825, lived in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, until 1850, visited Johnson 
county, and bought some land and went back east, settled in this town- 
ship in 1858. He married April 5, 1858, to Miss Mary F. Roessler. They 
have four children: Hanie, Mary, Sarah, and a boy dead. He is a mem- 
ber of the Lutheran Evangelical Church of Penn township, and a demo- 
crat in politics. He has a fine farm, lives well and takes great interest in 
church and school matters. 

JOHN WAGNER. The subject of this sketch was born 1795, and 
was eight\'-seven years of age at his death, in July, 1882. A typical Ger- 
man from Allendorf on the Lawn, Germany. He came to America in 
1856, landed in New York city; he had a family of ten children: two died 
in Germany, and John. Louis, Peter, PhiHp, Katie, wife of J. B. Schaedler, 
of Iowa City; Annie E., wife of J. B. Baumer, of Iowa Citv, and Antone. 
He was mayor of Allendorf twent\^-one years, and a custom house officer 
for seven years at Meinz on the Rhine ; he came to America to get lands 
for his family of boys, and lived to see all his children well settled in lite. 
His daughter, Mrs. Baumer, was born December 11, 18-12. in Germany, her 
husband, J. B. Baumer, was born in April, 1823, in Switzerland, and came 
to America in 1843: her first husband was Christian Haas, a brewer in 
Iowa- City, to whom she was married August 7, 1860. This union was 
blessed with two children: Hannah K., wife of Fred Grandrath, and Josie 
E., single and living with her mother; her husband died March 20, 1S64; 
she married Oswald Swere November 28, 1865: he was killed at State 
Center, June 7, 1872, by a falling stone. She married Mr. Baumer 
November 28, 1876. By this union she has two children: John B. and 
August A. She is a member of the German Lutheran Church of Iowa 
City. Mr. Baumer is a Mason and Odd Fellow. He is a democrat in 
politics. 

GEORGE W. WAGNER, a farmer, residing in Sharon township, 
post-otfice, Iowa City, a son of George W. Wagner, deceased, of Wash- 
ington township; was born May 24, 1859, in Washington township, John- 
son county. He was married December 23, 1880, to Miss Jennie Shaver, 
onl}^ daughter ot Capt. P. E. Shaver, of Washington township. A democrat 



944 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

in politics. The people of Sharon township made him a justice of the 
peace in 1882, and that in a republican township speaks well for a young 
democrat's popularity. He went to CaHfornia in 1880, and after sight 
seeing a short time concluded to settle down in Johnson county; he 
bought a farm in Sharon township of 300 acres, upon which he now resides, 
and upon which is two fine orchards of about three acres each, a fine brick 
dwelling, a barn 30x80, and he built in 1882 a barn 38x76, and now has 
sufficient room for his farm products, and shelter for his fine Spanish 
Merino sheep, his Short-horn cattle and Poland China hogs. We can 
safely say he is a successful farmer, and not far from being a successful 
politician. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge, No. 149, at Dayton, 
Washington county. 

JOHN P. WAGNER, a farmer, residing in Washington township, 
post-office, Frank Pierce; was born May 11, 1845, in Licking county, 
Ohio; came to Iowa in 1846 with his parents, who settled in Washington 
township, on the farm upon which he now resides. He was married Octo- 
ber 15, 1870, to Miss Carrie Van Meter, of Iowa City. By this union 
they have two children: Thomas M. and Ella J. The family are mem- 
bers of the Christian Church, at Frank Pierce, Iowa. A democrat in 
politics, and he is one of the successful farmers in Washington township, a 
fine farm with a splendid dwelling house and barn, and plenty of good 
stock of all kinds. 

JOHN L. WALDRON, a farmer residing in Lincoln township, post- 
office, Iowa City; was born May 24, 1818, near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; 
came to Iowa in 1855. He was married in 1844, to Miss Isabella Steward 
of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. In the fall of 1856 his wife and eldest son 
were frozen to death on the prairie near his home in Pleasant Valley town- 
ship. While on their way home from meeting they got lost in a heavy 
snow storm, and Mr. W. got out of his wagon to find the road, and could 
not find his team again, wandered around and came to a farm-house nearly 
frozen. The party set out in search of the team and family, and found 
his wife and child frozen to death. Mr. W. had his feet so badly frozen 
that he has been practically disabled since. He has seven children, four 
from his first wife and three by his second wife. He married for his sec- 
ond wife a Miss JuHa Kelley of Iowa City, in 1860. He is a member of 
the Presbyterian Church of Iowa City, and all his family are members of 
that church. He is a republican in politics. He was elected township clerk 
in 1860, and held that office four years; he also held the office of school 
director. 

HENRY WALKER, farmer, post-office. River Junction; was born 
in Portage county, Ohio, March 9, 1829, and is a son of James and Sarah 
(Barnett) Walker, who came to Pleasant Valley, this county in 1841. 
The subject of our sketch was the youngest of rune children, tive boys 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 945 

and four girls. He was reared on a farm, and early became accustomed 
to the hardships of pioneer life. In 1849 he took the gold fever and went 
to California with the company from Iowa City, being about six months 
on the road, driving four yoke of oxen to one wagon. He remained on 
the western slope four years, and followed mining, then started home with 
i^2,600. He then bought 220 acres of land in section 12, where he now 
resides, and has, by industry and economy, been enabled to purchase more 
land, and now owns about one thousand acres, and has a fine brick resi- 
dence and a very pleasant home. He was married March 14, 1854, to 
Harriet McComas, a native of Ohio, she dying January 7, 1878. By this 
marriage there are two children: Laura, now Mrs. William Fairall and 
Mary, now Mrs. Charley Shelledy. He was again married May 15, 
1880, to Miss Martha Sweet, daughter of David and Lydia Sweet, who 
came to Fremont township in 1838. He raises and also buys considerable 
stock, feeding during the winter, and generally ships his own stock to 
market, and is one of the most enterprising farmers in this part of the 
county. 

JAMES WALKER, farmer, post-office, River Junction; was born in 
Portage county, Ohio, March 3, 1816, where he spent his earh^ life. In 
the fall of 1837 he came with his brothers, Joseph and Samuel, to Johnson 
count}-, and settled in Pleasant Valley township, where they staked out 
their claims and each improved farms. The subject of our sketch lived 
there about eight years, then came to Fremont township, where he has 
since resided, and owns 200 acres of land, all well improved. He was 
married May 2, 1858, to Mary Fountain, daughter of John and Hannah 
Fountain. They have eight children: Henry, Jane E., now Mrs. Jerry 
Canott, John, Joseph, Ella, James, Daniel and Charlie. 

J. R. WARD, physician, Oxford, Iowa; was born on the Isle of Man 
August 31, 1846, and is of English descent. He is a son of Francis and 
Mary A. (Wilson) Ward, Francis Ward being a Methodist minister, and 
engaged on the Isle of Man as local preacher and also in what is known 
as an "iron-monger." In 1852 they went to Texas, but only remained a 
few weeks. They then went to Cleveland, Ohio, and bought a farm a 
few miles from the city, and in 1856, came and settled in Madison town- 
ship, this county, Mr. and Mrs. Ward dying the winter of 1880. The 
subject of our sketch never went to school until he was thirteen years of 
age, having been taught at home. He then went to the Model School at 
Iowa City; then to the academical department of the State University 
three years, and in 1870, began the study of medicine with Prof. J. C. 
Schrader of Iowa City, and graduated at the medical department of the 
State University March 3, 1873. In 1874 he located in Oxford, and has 
been one of the most successful practitioners in the county. In 1880 he 
attended the practitioner's course at Chicago Medical College, and the 
spring of 1882 he attended a course and graduated at Bellevue Hospital 



946 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Medical College, New York City, March 15, 1882. He is a member of 
Iowa City Chapter, No. 2, also of Palestine Commandery, No. 2, and of 
several other lodges. He was married September 30, 1873, to Miss 
Marv A. Doty, daughter of Lewis and Hannah Doty of Oxford, and has 
one girl, Clara Edith, six years old. 

A. P. WALKER, the present mayor of Solon, Big Grove township; 
was born-September 26, 1854, in Tioga county. New York; settled in John- 
son countv, Iowa, October 22, 1865. He was married March 19, 1859, 
to Miss Jennie True of Solon. They have seven children: Charles T., 
Mertie W., Iva F., George A., Jesse K., Martha A., Annie M. He is a 
member of the Universalist Church, and voted for the prohibitory amend- 
ment. He is a greenbacker in politics, and was their candidate for sheriff 
of Johnson county in 1881. He met with an accident in 1877, his arm 
being broken by falling from a loaded wagon upsetting. 

JOSEPH WALKER, a farmer and stock-raiser of Pleasant Valley 
tow^nship, post-office, Iowa City; was born September 19, 1819, in Por- 
tage county, Ohio; came to Iowa and settled on Buck creek, in Pleasant 
Valley township, September 1, 1837, and took up the first claim on Bear 
Creek, the farm upon which he now resides, of 320 acres. His brothers, 
Samuel and James, took up claims near him, and lived upon them for 
eight or ten years. He was married June 25, 1850, to Miss Jane Powel- 
son, of Washington county, Iowa. They have five children: Mary, 
Henrv A., Joseph L., Callie, Emma. He is a member of the Universalist 
Church at Iowa vCity, and a republican in politics, and voted against the 
prohibitory amendment; has held several township offices, trustee and 
school director. He is a stockholder in the Johnson County Savings 
Bank, and one of its directors. He is one ot the Johnson county farmers 
who have made a success in life, and accumulated a sufficient amount of 
wordly goods to live comfortably. 

B. P. WATSON, farmer, post-office. River Junction; was born June 3, 
1816. His granfather, Samuel Watson, was a soldier of the Revolution 
from the first until its close, and also in the war of 1812. At an early age 
the subject of our sketch was left fatherless, and was the fifth of seven 
children, and when a little over five years of age he commenced work in 
a cotton factory, and only got three months schooling afterward. He 
worked there the greater part of the time for thirty years. In 1857 he 
emigrated to Illinois, LaSalle county, and followed farming, and in 1865 
came to Johnson county, and bought the farm he now fives on of 200 
acres, and has it well improved. He was married at Plainfield, Connec- 
ticut, September 4, 1843, to Miss Hannah Cole, a native of that state. 
They have one son, Chancey L., who is still at home, and has charge of 
the farm. He raises some fine horses and cattle. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 947 

LEWIS H. WATSON, carria^emaker, Oxford, Iowa; was born in 
Ireland, January 16, 1835, and came to the United States in 1849, and the 
same year commenced his trade in New York City, where he remained 
three years; then went to West Chester and Hved until 1873, when he came 
to Iowa, and settled in Oxford, where he has since resided. He was mar- 
ried April 8, 1856, to Louisa Stanton, a native of New York, but of 
English descent, she dying March 29, 1882, leaving five children: Annie 
M., now Mrs. Estabrook; Benjamin L., Francis L., Ella L., and William 
S. Mr. Watson is a member of the Presbyterian Church, A. O. U. W., 
and A. O. H., and is present assessor of Oxford. 

PETER J. WEBER, farmer, residing in Union township, on section 
9; was born March 3, 1828, in Prussia. Came to America in August, 
1852, and settled in Iowa City, the same year with his father's family. 
He being the eldest was compelled to share the largest part of the respon- 
sibility of supporting the family. He was married in August, 1854, to 
Miss Rosa Schunka. They have ten children: Henry, John, Peter, Wil- 
lie, Mary, Annie, Lizzie, Frank, George and Eddie. The family are 
members of the St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church ol Iowa City. He 
is a democrat in politics, and has held several township offices at the hands 
of his party. He began life a poor boy, and now owns 370 acres of land 
in Union township, a fine orchard, 800 stands of Concord grapes, and 
plenty of all kinds of small fruit, good farm buildings and plenty of good 
stock of all kinds usually kept on a farm. 

ISAAC S. WEEBER, a farmer and resident of Sharon township; 
post-office address Iowa City: was born Feb. 26, 1841, in Crawford 
county, Ohio. He came to Johnson count\', Iowa, with his parents in 
1847, and settled in Sharon township. He was married Dec. 25, 1865, to 
Miss Jennie Clark, of Sharon township. They have eight children: Net- 
tie, Lizzie, Artie, Carrie, Willie, Minnie, Annie and Walter. His father 
was born Dec. 30, 1806, in Germany; is still living, and with his son Isaac. 
Mr. W's. mother died in November, 1868. He has held several township 
offices, and is the present township clerk of Sharon, elected in 1882. He 
is a stockholder and director in the Sharon creamery, also the treasurer 
of the company. He is one of the successful farmers of Sharon township, 
and keeps fine stock. He has the only herd of Devonshire cows in the 
county; a fine lot of Spanish merino sheep, plenty of Poland China hogs, 
and makes a specialty of fine horses, draft and roadsters. His horses are 
from an imported Belgian thorough-bred. 

JOHN C WEISER, hardware, post-office Lone Tree; was born in 
Germany, Feb. 2, 1850, and came to America when about two years of 
age, his parents first living in Buffalo, N. Y., then came to Muscatine, 
where the subject of our sketch learned the tinner's trade, and had a tin 
shop, and in March, 1881, came to Lone Tree and put in a general stock 



948 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

of hardware and has a tin shop, and is doing a flourishing business. He 
was married Aug. 15, 1870, to Miss Virginia F. Freeman, of Muscatine, 
and have had five children, four still living: Lillie C, George W., Hattie 
May and John J. Mr. Weiser is a member of the United Order of Honor 
at Lone Tree. 

WILLARD J. WELCH, a merchant on Dubuque street, proprietor 
of the "star grocery". Was born Aug. 12, 1855, at Oshkosh, Wis. 
Settled in Iowa City in October, 1878. He graduated from collegiate 
department of the State University of Iowa, in the class of 1875. He was 
married Oct. 23, 1878, to Miss Lillie L. Patterson, only daughter of the 
Hon. Lemuel B. Patterson, of Iowa City. 

ALBERT WESCOTT, Jr., resident of Scott township on section 16, 
and the owner of 220 acres of land; a farmer and stock raiser. Was born 
March 17, 1833, in the State of New York. At the age of fifteen years 
he went to Lake county, Ohio, and remained until the fall of 1854, when 
he settled in Iowa City, and for four years was engaged in the drug busi- 
ness. In 1859, he moved on the farm upon which he now resides. He 
was married in Scott township, this county, in 1866, to Miss Mar}^ Par- 
rott. She was born on section 9, in Scott township in 1844. They have 
five children: Adda A., Minnie S., Katie E., Albert L. and Wallis. 

MOSES A. WESCOTT. The subject of this seetch was born May 
5, 1825, in Milford, Otsego county, N. Y. Came to Johnson county, Iowa, 
in 1857. He was married in June, 1851, to Miss L. Caroline Goodrich, 
of Milford, N. Y. She died July 29, 1877. They had four children: 
Laura, wife of Wm. Scollard, Hattie, wife of J. K. Graham, Edith, wife 
of Wm. Orr, and Sennett. Mr. W. is a democrat in politics. His father, 
Albert Wescott, was born Dec. 5, 1798, in Warwick, Ireland; died near 
Iowa City, Dec. 21, 1880. His mother, Charlotte Bissell, was born Feb. 
28, 1803, in Hartwick, Otsego county, N. Y., still living. His parents 
settled in Johnson county, in 1860. Their family of children now living 
are: Moses A., Caroline, widow of C. L. Hoytt, Eliza, wife of B. F. 
Hayden, of Lake county, Ohio, Albert Jr., Jane, Edwin R., Hving in 
Auburn, N. Y. and Emory and Emmer, twins. All highly respected and 
well to-do. 

CHARLES WETOSHAK, farmer and stock raiser, Jefferson town- 
ship, post-office. Western, Linn county; was born July 4, 1856, in John- 
son county. His parents, John and Frances Wetoshak, are natives of 
Moravia, Bohemia, they came to the United States, and settled in John- 
son county in 1854, in section 2; where Charles was raised on a farm. 
He went to school at St. Louis and also at Western College, Linn county. 
On the 17th day of May, 1877, he was married to Miss Anna Confal, 
daughter of Joseph Confal, of this county. 'His family consits of three 
children: Joseph C, born March 28, 1878; Anna, born June 2, 1880; 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 949 

Charles, born January 8, 1882. Mr. Wetoshak owns 188 acres in this 
county, where he resides, and 80 acres in Linn county, in section 34, just 
across the line. He follows farming and stock raising; his stock is ol the 
best; he paid $400 for a span of horses and they can't be beat. He has 
60 head of cattle and 70 hogs; he also owns and runs a thresher. Mr. 
Wetoshak is one of the substantial farmers of this county and a man 
highly respected by everyone. He has held the office of constable. 

W. D. WHEDON, the present popular and efficient count}- recorder, 
was born October 5, 1860, in Albion, state of New York, came to John- 
son county and settled in Iowa City October 5, 1870. He was in the 
recorder's office under Alex. Sorter for two years as his deputy, and he 
has become as thorough-going and practical as his instructor. Mr. Sorter 
resigned April 7, 1882, and the board of supervisors of Johnson county 
accepted his resignation and immediately appointed Mr. Whedon, his 
deputy, as recorder. "Billy," as he is commonly called, is one of the "boys," 
a generous, good-natured, straight-forward and honest young man, with a 
host of good friends. 

JOHN H. WHETSTONE, a resident of Iowa City, engaged in the 
drug trade on the north-east corner of Clinton and Washington streets, 
commonly called the "little one-horse drug store." It might have been 
such when started, but it has been a success, and it makes John feel proud 
now to' call it a "little one-horse drug store." He was born September 
18, 1846, in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, settled in Iowa City in 1870, 
and began clerking in Morrison's drug store, and June, 1874, he estab- 
lished himself in the drug business at the stand he now occupies. He 
was married September 8, 1880, to Miss Mahaska Byington, second 
daughter of Hon. Legrand Byington. A republican in politics. 

HARRY A. WHITE, the present efficient postmaster of North 
Liberty; was born September 15, 1847, at Bedford, Pennsylvania, and 
settled in Johnson county in 1875. He was married December 27, 1868, 
to Miss Elizabeth Alloway, of Fulton county, Pennsylvania. He is a 
member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge No. 289, at North "^Liberty; he is a 
republican in politics, and has been postmaster since April 21, 1877. He 
keeps the only store in North Liberty, carries a general stock of merchan- 
dise. He is a shoemaker .by trade and is doing a good business. He is 
a member of the Church of God at North Liberty. 

JOHN WHITSEL, a resident of Iowa City; was born December 26, 
1841, in Jefferson county, Pennsylvania; settled in Iowa City in 1877. He 
was married January 17, 1863, to Miss Mary A. Dana, of Clmton county, 
Iowa. They have seven children: Mary J., George, Nellie, Anna, Lillie 
L., John and James. He is section foreman of Iowa City division ol the 
B., C. R. & N. R. R. He has been* railroading for thirteen years. Fle 
enlisted from Scott c^unt}-, Iowa, in company B, Eighth Iowa infantrv. He 
59i 



950 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

is a republican in politics and voted against the prohibitory constitutional 
amendment. 

GEORGE WICAL, a farmer, residing in Liberty township, post-office, 
Bon Accord; was born December 4, 1821, in Licking" county, Ohio; set- 
tled in Johnson county, in 1851; his father, Daniel Wical, was born in 
Augusta county, Virginia, in February 1, 1798, and is the oldest man now 
living in Liberty township. George Wical was married April 23, 1847, 
to Miss Fanny Chapman, of Homer, Licking county, Ohio. This union 
is blessed with the following named children: Emma, Einora and Harry. 
Mr. Wical is independent in politics. 

HENRY J. WIENEKE, a resident of Iowa City, manager of Mrs. J. 
G. Fink's cigar and notion store, on Clinton street, first door south of the 
post-office; was born August 30, 1837, in Monroe county, Ohio. He set- 
tled in Iowa in 1845 and worked in a bakery, and afterward learned the 
cabinet maker's trade. He was married December 3, 1857, to Miss Caro- 
lina Kimball, of Iowa. This union is blessed with the following named 
eight children: Caroline, Harry, Nellie, Minnie, Charlie, George, Laura 
and Robert. He was a faithful soldier in the late civil war in company 
B, 14th and 41st Regiments Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and of company L, 
7th Regiment Iowa Cavalry, and served from 1861 to 1865. He is a 
republican in politics. A member of the German Lutheran Chuijch of 
Iowa City. A member of Masonic and Odd Fellow societies of Iowa City. 
You can always find Henry at the counter ready to supply his customers 
with choice brands of cigars and tobacco. 

BENJAMIN WILLIAMS, (deceased); was born in Columbiana 
county, Ohio, August 20, 1807, where he spent his early life, and married 
Susannah Concle, in December, 1830; she also being a native of that 
county. They came to Johnson county, Iowa, and settled on section six, 
in Oxford township, in 1844, where Mr. Williams died August 19, 1855, 
leaving seven children, viz.: Jesse, now in California; Peter, now in 
Oxford; Tanner, now Mrs. Wallace; Josephine, now Mrs. Mahoney; Lue, 
still at home; Mary, now Mrs. Morland, and Mattie, now Mrs. Merritt. 
Josephine was married December 24, 1865, to Jerry Mahoney, a native of 
Ireland; he dying December 20, 1873, leaving four children, viz.: Mary 
E., Kitty, John M. and Susan. She is now living on her farm in section 
thirty-one. 

ENOCH WILLIAMS, farmer. Cedar township, post-office, Solon; 
was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, July 8, 1840, where he spent 
his boyhood days, and is a son of George and Mary Williams. In the 
spring of 185G they emigrated to Iowa and settled in Johnson county, 
where he has since resided, and now owns 160 acres of well improved 
land. He was married February 7, 1867, to Mary S. Sutlift', daughter of 
Allen C. SutlifF, one of the pioneers of Johnson county. By this union 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 951 

there are five children now living, viz.: Allen G., Ellen G., Kate S.. Jesse 
E., and Ralph E. 

ROBERT WILLIAMS, a resident of Iowa City, and a partner of the 
firm of Waterman & Williams, drygoods and notions, on Clinton street, 
in Iowa City; was born in February, 1842, in Denbigh, North Wales. 
He came to America in 1868, and in July of 1868 settled in Iowa City. 
He engaged in the dry goods business with D. Griffith, in the same store 
he now occupies, and was with him seven years, and bought him out, and 
the firm became Waterman & Williams in 1875. He has one of the best 
filled and regulated drygoods and notion houses in Iowa City. He was 
married July 15, 1868, to Miss Katie Williams of Cincinnati, Ohio. They 
have three children, Ella H., Fred B. and Manly. The family are mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church of Iowa City. He is a member of the 
Masonic bodies of Iowa City. He is independent in politics. He was 
thrown behind a drygoods counter at ten years of age, and has worked 
over thirty-one years in that capacity, and such experience ought to qualify 
him for the drygoods business. 

JACOB R. WILLIS, a resident of Clear Creek township, post-office. 
Tiffin; was born July 3, 1818, in Preble county, Ohio, near Eaton; settled 
in Johnson county, Iowa, in February, 1815, on the farm upon which he 
now resides, section 19. He was married July 5, 1845, to Miss Rebecca 
Lancaster of Clear Creek township. They have three children: Mary' 
A., wife of Londa Gruell of Phelps county, Kansas, a farmer near Repub- 
lican City. James W. and Henry, both dead. He is a member of the 
Christian Church of Tiffin, and is a Republican in politics. His father 
and mother both died when he was quite youag, and the result was Mr. 
W. was compelled to struggle for a living. He has finally proven himself 
a successful farmer, the owner of a fine farm and plenty of stock, such as 
Short-horn cattle, fine Woolscott sheep, and good horses. He has a fine 
apple orchard of six acres and plenty of all kinds of small fruit. 

WILLIAM F. WILSON, farmer, post-office. Lone Tree; was born 
in Essex county. New York, September 13, 1837, where he spent his 
early life and got a good common school education. He then went to 
Pennsylvania and remained there two years and emigrated to Iowa in 
1855 and settled in Louisa county, with his parents, Alex E. and Mary P. 
He was on the Chicago & Rock Island railroad two vears, and then went 
to farming, and in 1868 he engaged in the sale of farm machinery, which 
he followed until 1878. In the fall of 1868 he moved to Fremont town- 
ship, Johnson county, where he has improved a farm and has good build- 
ings and a pleasant home. He was married October 9, 1862, to Leah J. 
Hershy, a native of Fulton county, Pennsylvania, coming to this State in 
1854. They have had eight children, three now living. Willis H., born 
December 23, 1864, Louie E., born August 30, 1867, and Frederick L. 
born February 5, 1882. 
60 



952 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

J. W. WILSON, miller, Oxford, Iowa; was born in Rush county, 
Indiana, October, 1840. When he was four years old his parents moved 
to Washington county, Iowa, where he spent his early life on a farm, 
until the war. He was then attending ihe Washington University. He 
enlisted in April, 1861, in company H, Second Iowa infantr}', the com- 
pany being made up of students. He served until July 1865; had com- 
mand of the company for some time. He was married September 10, 
1866, to Miss A. E. Wilson of North Bend, this county. They now have 
three children living: Clarence H., Nellie N., and Clara R. In 1871 he 
moved to Oxford, and engaged in the lumber trade. He was and still is, 
agent for the town lots of Oxford, most all having passed through his 
hands, and in May, 1881, he bought the Oxford flouring-mills, and is 
doing a good business in that line. He is a member of Canopy Lodge, 
290, and of Palestine Commander}^, No. 2, of Iowa City; also a member 
of the A. O. U. W., and of the Methodist Church. He is a public spir- 
ited man, and possesses the confidence of all who know him. 

THOMAS W. WILSON, a farmer residing in Pleasant Valley town- 
ship, post-office, Iowa City; was born in 1808, in Philadelphia, Pennsyl- 
vania; was married in 1827. He left Pennsylvania in 1831, moving west 
in a six-horse wagon. He stopped in Zanesville, Ohio, until 1837; went 
to Cincinnati, and lived there till ] 849, and previous to settling in Iowa, 
spent two years m California in 1849 and 1850. His family of children 
are all grown: James, at home; Samuel, in St. Louis; Mary, in Chicago; 
Cornelia, married and living at Sioux City: and Olivia, living at home. 
Mr. Wilson is a member of the Trinity Chapel Episcopal Church, Iowa 
City. He is a republican in politics; was the republican candidate for 
sheriff in 1857. He has held several township offices, such as trustee, 
road supervisor and school director. 

]. R. WISE, a farmer in Pleasant Valley ^township, post-office, Lone 
Tree; was born April ]5, 1817, in Northampton county, Pennsylvania. 
He was married in 1836, to Miss Julia A. Wise; came to Iowa City the 
29th day of May, 1856. They have nine children: Cilade, born July 27, 
1839; George, born July, 1842; Adam, born 1843; Charles, born 1844; 
Martha A., born 1847; Emma H., born 1849; Mary Alice, born 1851; 
Daniel R., born 1852; Eva Albina, born 1857. 

JOSEPH WLACK, a citizen of Solon, Big Grove township, and 
engaged in the butchering business; was born October 15, 1833, in Bohe- 
mia; came to America July, 1854, and settled in Iowa in Cedar township, 
and engaged in farming until 1871, when he moved into Solon and opened 
a butcher shop and restaurant. He was married September 9, 1866, to 
Miss Mary Cipera, of Iowa City. They have nine children: Annie J., 
Joseph F., Mary and Emma, twins; Charles, Frank, Deha, Emanuel G., 
and George W. Mr. Wlack is a democrat in politics. Was township 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 953 

trustee in 1878 ; voted against the prohibitory constitutional amendment. 
He is a member of Eureka Lodge, No. 44, I. O. O. F., Iowa City. 

DAVID W. WOOD, a lawyer by profession; residence, Iowa City. 
The subject of this sketch was born September 11, 1844, near Mt. Vernon, 
Knox county, Ohio. The war for the Union found him one of its defend- 
ers. He enlisted in company G, Twentieth Ohio Infantry, September 11, 
1861, and served to July 19, 1865; he then read law and was admitted to 
practice at the December term, 1867, of the Supreme Court of Ohio, and 
continued the practice until 1881, when he went to Colorado, where he 
edited and published a newspaper one year, and then settled in Iowa City. 
He was a prisoner of war during the dark days of the Rebellion and lost 
his health in a rebel prison. His military duty did not end with the war; 
he was captain of company A, Mt. Vernon National Guards of Ohio, and 
with his company was on duty during the great coal miner's riot at Mas- 
sillon in 1876, and in the railroad riots' in 1877 at Newark, Ohio. Mr. 
Wood was married February 27, 1875, to Miss Mattie E., daughter of 
Mr. W. F. Smith, one of the first settlers of Washington township, John- 
son county, Iowa. This union is blessed with two bright little boys: D. 
W. Jr., born April 1, 1877, and Charles W., born February 2, 1879. Mr. 
Wood is a republican in politics, and a member of nearl}^ all the leading 
benevolent societies of the present day. He was educated in the faith of 
the M. E. Church, both father and mother devoted and faithful members 
of that church and adhering to its strictest practice, his father from the 
old Dominion State, and his mother from Hagerstown, Maryland. He 
believes in America — the United States especially, and its untrammeled 
institutions as the sign of her future prosperity, but is opposed to a union 
of church and State. He believes the common schools the grandest insti- 
tution of our free country, and is opposed to any man or set of men who 
would circumscribe their usefulness. He is favorable to local option and 
opposed to prohibition as a method of enforcing temperance, but favors 
moral suasion as the best means of reformation, from evils of intemper- 
ance. Personally, Mr. Wood is a most courteous and pleasant gentleman 
with a pleasing address and fine conversational gifts that give him a wide 
personal popularity, and particular in the township work of this history, 
he has made man^^ friends by his consideration and thoughtfulness. 

EDWARD WORDEN, a resident of Iowa City; was born May 18, 
1827, in New York state, came to Iowa and settled in Iowa City in 1839. 
The worst thing that can be said against Ed. is that he has lived an 
upright, consistent old bachelor since his earl}- youth and still refuses to 
make friends with a christian comforter called a wife. He is a democrat 
in politics and has been too busy surveying Johnson county, to take time to 
get married. He was a member of the city council in 1S6U from the first 
Weird; surveyor of Johnson county from 1855 to 1857, and from 1867 to 
1869, also from 1871 to 1875, and was elected on the greenback and 



954 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

republican ticket in 1881. He defeated the regular democratic nominee, 
Daniel A. Shafer, by a very handsome majorit}^, and thereby taught the 
convention organizers that they might nominate a man, but could not elect 
unless they got votes enough. 

WILLIAM WOLFE, a farmer and stock dealer in Clear Creek town- 
ship, post-office. Tiffin; was born in Knox county, Ohio, March 18, 1827; 
settled in Johnson county, Iowa, October 10, 1853, upon the farm where 
he now resides. He was married September 8, 1850, to Miss Hannah 
Colony, of Knox county, Ohio, and they have a family of six children: 
Alice E., John C, Milton L., Mary A., William B. and Charlie. The 
family attend religious services at the M. E. Church, at Tiffin. Mr. 
Wolfe has been shipping stock for fourteen years. His average ship- 
ment of hogs has been about one hundred cars per year; his average 
shipment of cattle about twenty cars per year. Hogs and corn have been 
the principal products of his farm. He has some very fine horses of the 
Clydesdale stock; he has a farm of 490 acres, 203 acres was his original 
claim. He was a member of the board of supervisors in 1860 and served 
three years; he filled the office of township trustee several terms. He is 
a democrat in politics. He is a brother of the Hon. L. R. Wolfe, repre- 
senting Johnson county in the Iowa legislature. His father is Hving in 
Knox county, Ohio, at the ripe old age of ninty-two years and past. 

HON. LEWIS R. WOLFE, farmer and stock dealer, post-office, 
Oxford; was born in Knox county, Ohio, April 22, 1825, where he lived 
until he was about twenty-four years of age, when he went to Hardin 
county, Ohio, and lived there five years and cleared up a farm. In Sep- 
tember, 1854, he came to Johnson county and settled in North Bend, 
where he bought 306 acres of land and has since been engaged in farming 
and dealing in stock, and in April, 1876, he moved to Oxford township, to 
the "Iowa Valley Farm," where he now resides. He now owns 1400 
acres of land in this county, laying in five different townships. In 1860 he 
was elected by Madison township as county supervisor, and in August, 
1862, he enlisted in company I, Sixth Iowa cavalry as captain, and served 
as captain until April, 1865, when he resigned. In 1865 he ran on the 
democratic ticket for sherift, but was defeated by John Wilson, and in 1866 
was elected as supervisor for Madison township and served two years, 
and was elected by the county as supervisor. He was representative for 
the district in the eighteenth general assembly, and also the nineteenth, 
and still holds that office, and for several years has been treasurer of 
Oxford township school fund. He was married April 22, 1847, to 
Elizabeth Lindsley, of Richland county, Ohio, and has three children 
living, viz: Mahlon K., Christopher D., and Pheobe A., now Mrs. William 
Hardy. 

CARSON B. WRAY, post-oflice, North Liberty, farmer. The sub- 
ject of this sketch is one of the old settlers of this county, and was born 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 955 

on the 24th day of July, 1S19, in Hamilton county, Ohio. He was raised 
in Indiana, his parents having come there when Carson was quite younjr. 
In 1841 he came to Iowa, then a single man, and lived with his brother 
David. On the 8th day of May, 1842, he was married to Miss Mary 
Alt, of this county, formerly qf Ohio. They had eight children, five of 
whom are living: Joseph C, David W., Catharine J., Anna E., and Car- 
rie C; three dead: Mary J., Maria C, and Eliza O. Mr. Wrav tbUowed 
distilling for seven years when a young man, but since he has been in 
Iowa has followed farming and stock-raising; owns a splendid farm of 
500 acres in section 2 and other sections, well improved land and well 
stocked, having about seventy-five head of grade cattle; one hundred 
hogs; fourteen head of Clydesdale horses. Mr. Wray has filled the office 
of township trustee, and member of the county board" of supervisors. 

DAVID WRAY, (deceased); was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, 
October 8, 1815. His father, Richard, moved with his familv to" Indiana 
when the subject of this sketch was only eight years old, where he was 
raised on a farm and educated in the common schools. After arriving at 
manhood he went to Illinois, and while there (December 1(J,'1840), he was 
married to Miss Maria Alt, daughter of Jacob and Mary Alt, and sister 
of Jacob, junior, and Joseph of Penn township. To them were born four 
children, two of whom are now living: Richard H. and Maria J., wife of 
Dr. Miller Young. Mr. Wray was among the first settlers in this town- 
ship. He first settled in Jefterson township, but in 1843 he moved to 
Madison, in sections 2 and 35, where he follows farming. His first wife 
died November 5, 1846. He was again married July 20, 1851, to Miss 
H. Holt of Iowa City. She died March 22, 1869, and on the 22d of Sep- 
tember, 1872, Mr. Wray died. He was a man of sound and vigorous 
intellect; a forcible character, and of great personal influence. He has 
filled the office of county commissioner and of township assessor. 

JOHN A. XANTEN;wasbornJanuary 8, 1825, in Dahlen, Rhenish 
Prussia; died May 18, 1882, in lo.va City; came to America and landed 
m New York City in 1854; settled in Iowa City, April, 1855. He estab- 
lished a wholesale liquor business in 1875. He was married in 1851 to 
Miss Josephine Grippekoven of Dahlen, Prussia. She died in Novem- 
ber, 1860, in Iowa City. They had three children: Frank A., a physi- 
cian in Avoca, Iowa, a graduate of the State Universitv medical depart- 
ment, in class of 1876, and Louis, Elizabeth and Josephine, both living 
at home. His second marriage was in February, 1861, to .Miss Mary 
Meyers, of Iowa City. This union was blessed with three children- Wil- 
liam, a graduate of St. Francis Solamus College, Quincv, Illinois; Albert 
attending State University, and Charles. The family are members of the 
St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church of Iowa Citv. He served five 
years in the Prussian army, and was in the wars of the Revolution of 
1848. 



956 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

JACOB YAGER, a farmer residing in Liberty Township, post-office, 
Bon Accord; was born June 7, 1S2S, in Germany. He was married in 
1855, to Miss Mary Kiem, and afterwards in October, 1880, he married 
Anna Pollajeck. He settled in Johnson county in 1855. A democrat in 
politics. He is a member of the Lutheran Church. 

JACOB YENTER, deceased; was born in Wertemberg, Germany, 
and came to America in 1833. During the war with Mexico he served 
eighteen months, and came to Johnson county in 181:9, and settled on his 
land warrant. He was married Jul}' 7, 1857, to Margaret Johnson, a 
native of Scotland, and came to America in 181:1), and her family settled in 
Davenport the same year. In 1864 they went to Virginia Cit}^ Nevada, 
where they Hved until Mr. Yenter's death, August 14, 1872. Mrs. Yenter 
lived there four years after, then returned to this county. She has seven 
children: William, Clarence A., John E., George M., James N., Margaret 
E. and Nellie E valine. Mrs. Yenter is living on a farm, and is a member 
of the Presb3'terian Church. 

JOSEPH ZABOKRTSKY, a farmer, residing in Monroe township, 
post-office, Danforth; was born May 24, 1821, in i\ustria. He came to 
America in 1854, landed in Quebec, Canada; got to Johnson county July 
26, 1854. He started from Austria April 24, and was three months and 
two days making the trip. He arrived a poor man, having only $5 in the 
world after he got to Iowa City. He was married February 2, 1851, to 
Miss Francis Stehlek. They had two children: Francis, the wife of 
Albert Kuchuke; Mary, who died in 1856. The family are members of 
the Catholic Church. He is a democrat in politics, and voted against the 
prohibitory constititutional amendment. He is justice of the peace for 
Monroe township, tirst term. He has a fine farm, with good buildings 
and plenty of small fruit, a farm of 162^ acres of land, three lots, a house 
and barn in Solon. He is the owner of the fine staUion, Prince, eight-years 
old, iron grey, weighing 1400 pounds, 15|- hands high. 

JACOB ZELLER, a resident of Penn township, post-office. North 
Liberty; a farmer and stock-raiser; was born in Cumberland county, 
Pennsylvania, November 22, 1827; settled in Johnson county, Iowa, in 
184i), and bought the farm upon which he now resides in 1850. The emi- 
gration in Penn township, when he settled there was principalh' from 
Ohio, but the second rush was from Pennsylvania. He was the second 
township clerk of Penn township, served seven 3'ears; is at present justice 
of the peace; was elected in 1866, and has filled the office ever since. 
He was married July 4, 1851, to Miss Catharine Snavely. They have 
three children, Jacob H., Eliza M. and Iowa M. Mr. Z. is a republican 
in politics. He is one of the most extensive stock-raisers in Penn town- 
ship; had this year, September 18, over 800 head of hogs. He is mak- 
ing a specialty of raising fine horses, the Clydesdales. He was president 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 957 

of the Johnson County Agricultural & Mechanical Association for two 
years; was elected for the three years, but refused to serve, and is a 
member of the Masonic lodge at North Liberty. He has sold his farm 
upon which he has raised some extraordinary crops. Has an orchard of 
over 200 apple trees. 

N. ZELLER, Jr., farmer, post-office. North Liberty: was born April 
18, 184:9, in Franklin county, Pennsylvania. When he was only four 
weeks old his parents, Nicholas and Catharine Zeller, came to Iowa, where 
he was raised on a farm. On the 11th day of March, 1880, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Emma Myers, daughter of Valentine Myers of Madison 
township. To them have been born one child, Raymond. Mr. Zeller 
follows farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of draft horses and 
horses for all purposes, grade Short-horn cattle and Poland China hogs. 
He now has twelve horses, sixty-three head of cattle, and for the present 
year has, including sales made, 150 head of hogs. 

MICHAEL ZELLER, farmer, post-office North Liberty. The sub- 
ject of this sketch was born Aug. 14, 1824, in Cumberland county, Penn. 
In the fall of 1851 he came to Johnson county and purchased the 
land he now lives on. He went back to Pennsylvania, remained there 
five years, then returned to improve his land. On the 21st day of August, 
1856, was married to Miss Mary Doner, daughter of Daniel Doner, 
deceased. To them have been born five children, four of whom are liv- 
ing: Alice J., Effie J., Martha E. and John D.; Charley, deceased. Mr. 
Zeller owns a good farm of 190 acres, well improved with good buildings. 
He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and one of its present officers. 

DAVID B. ZEIGLER, post-office North Liberty; was born in Cum- 
berland county, Penn., in 1862, where his parents, William R. and Rebecca 
Zeigler now reside. Their family consists of six children living: James 
C, David B., Ira J., Sarah A., Minnie and Willia^i E. David B., the sub- 
ject of this sketch, is the second son. March 15, 1881, he came to Iowa 
with Jno. Beecher, and worked that year for Cyrus Abbott; the present 
year he works for J. Myers. On the 2Sth of December, 1881, he 
embraced religion at a revival held by Rev. D. W. Fink, in the Evangel- 
ical Church of this place; of which church David is a member. 

NICHOLAS ZELLER, Sr., is the son of David and Mary Zeller; 
was born March 19, 1819, in Cumberland county, Penn. When he was 
seventeen years old he moved with his parents to Franklin county. He 
was educated in the common schools. While m this State he followed 
teaching school, private surveving and farming. In 1816 he came to 
Iowa and bought R. B. GrofF's claim, then went to the land office at 
Dubuque to enter some land, after which he started for Pennsvlvania 
with only seventeen dollars. Living and traveling as cheap as he could, 
he got home with forty cents left. Three years after he left Pennsylvania 



958 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

with his family; came to Iowa, and settled on his land in Johnson county, 
where he now resides. After toiling hard for a number of years he gave 
up the farm to his son, Nicholas. In the year 1843 he was married to 
Miss Catharine Sleichter, of Pennsylvania. They have five children, all 
living: Mary, Barbara, Nicholas, Martha and Sarah. Mr. Zeller was 
converted to God in the fall of 1850, since that time he has been an earn- 
est advocate of the faith, and an exemplary christian. He and his wife 
are members of the Church of God at that place. He was seven 3'ears a 
member of the board of supervisors of Johnson county, and has held sev- 
eral offices of honor, profit and trust, all of which he filled with credit to 
himself and great satisfaction to his constituents. 

WILLIAM ZIMMERMAN, post-office, Lone Tree; was born in 
Mecklenburg, German}^, September 9, 1853; at the age of thirteen he 
came to America with his parents and settled near Davenport, where he 
lived until 1872; when he came to Fremont township, this county, and 
followed farming and raising stock, and has made a good property, being 
successful in all his undertakings, and in partnership with his brother, 
now owns 320 acres of fine land, well improved, and also owns prop- 
ertv in Lone Tree, where he has a hotel and billiard hall. He also owns 
one-half of a self-propeling steam thresher and has followed threshing five 
years. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Columbus Junction, 
also of the "Druids" of Nichols, and speaks three languages. 



LOUIS ALDER, (deceased); was born October 28, 1814, in West 
Jefferson, Ohio; died November 23, 1879. He came to Iowa in 1855. He 
was the father of Ira J. Alder, a resident attorney of Iowa City. Louis 
was the son of Jonathan Alder, and Jonathan was the son of a soldier of 
the Revolution, who in his turn was the son of an EngHsh family whose 
name is perpetuated in Aldershot, and Aldersgate. Jonathan was born 
in 1773, and when a httle boy was captured by the Shawnee Indians, who 
killed his little brother David, but saved Jonathan because he had black 
hair and "would make a good Indian." He lived with the Indians until 
he was 25 years old. He was a playmate of Tecumseh, met Logan face 
to face, grew up as an Indian and never wore aught but a breech clout 
and blanket from the day of his capture in Virginia woods until his delivery 
at Wayne's treaty in 1795 when he had forgotten the English language. 
The story of Alder's captivity, told in Howe's History of Ohio, is of 
absorbing interest. The case affords interesting study in another direc- 
tion. Jonathan Alder returned in 1795 to civilization after living as an 
Indian for twenty years. He reared a family, of which Louis was one, 
and they all showed in gait and carriage, in habits of thought, and to a 
great extent in appearance, strong Indian traits, as do their children in a 
modified degree, though he and his wife were of the purest English blood. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 959 

Mr. Louis Alder was a man of much force of character, of great energy 
and was a valuable citizen. 

AUGUSTUS B. BAUMGARDNER, born April 26, 1852. In 1871 
and '72 he attended the academy at Iowa City, and commenced teaching 
in the winter of the same year. Has farmed during the summer and 
taught during the winter since, until the fall of 1881 he was elected prin- 
cipal of Solon graded school, which position he still occupies with honor. 
He is a hard worker and close student, being a self-educated young man. 
The year 185i was full of stirring events to the little family. The great 
unbounded and almost unbroken west lured them from their eastern home. 
They chose Johnson county as a final resting place, and engaged in farm- 
ing, the occupation they followed in the east. Two sons have been born 
to them since they came to this State: Walter D., born April 24, 1856, 
and Alonzo P., born August 12, 1858. 

BENJAMIN BLOOM, son of the Hon. M. Bloom, of Iowa City; died 
at Las Vegas, New Mexico, June 21, 1882, aged twenty-one years. The 
rapid development of pulmonary disease admonished the thoughtful father 
of the deceased to seek for him a more clement climate. He visited Los 
Angeles, California, in company with his father, where some encouraging 
improvement was apparent and the fiope^ was felt that a complete cure 
might be wrought. The malady, however, was more deeply seated than 
its short duration appeared to warrant and suddenly the slowly gathered 
strength declined and his father hastened to his side. The journey home- 
ward was taken by easy stages and at Las Vegas hot springs, a spot on 
which nature has lavished her beauties, the boy passed into a sleep that 
ushered the rest eternal, with his father by his dying bedside, in a strange 
land. His ashes were taken to Cincinnati, Ohio, and put to rest in God's 
acre on lovely Walnut Hill. The broken circle ma}^ well sorrow, but not 
without hope, for the inspiration of the life so early ended is not lost and 
the bright memory that garlands it is more than a glint of sunshine and 
of comfort. 

JESSE BOWEN, born in Virginia in 1805, died near Iowa City, Tues- 
day, March 14, 1882, in his 77th year. His parents removed to Ohio in 
his childhood, and he grew up there on a farm until his eighteenth year, 
when he began the study of the honorable profession of medicine. His 
course completed he began practice in Indiana, where he married and 
lived several years. He early took an active part and had an intelligent 
interest in public matters. Attached to the whig party and an ardent dis- 
ciple of Henry Clay, he bore a great part in those public movements in 
behalf of that statesman, which now make up the basis of many ot the 
heroic political traditions of the Wabash Valley. He was elected to the 
Indiana senate, and was active in laying the foundations of that common- 
weath. He came to Iowa territory in 1840, settled in this city and began 



960 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

the practice of his profession and took part in the pohtics of the period, 
repeatedly leadin£( the whig party, and by voice and pen enforcing its 
views of pubHc policy and contributing to its energies. He was, we 
believe, the first president of the State Agricultural Society, was a Taylor 
elector in 1848, and was selected as messenger to carry the vote of 
Iowa's electoral college to Washington. He was appointed register of 
the State land office, and laying aside that public trust lapsed into private 
life with the decay of the whig party. When party ranks were reformed 
he was in the van of the new republican organization, his house was the 
center of activity. To an hereditary hatred of slavery he united the clear- 
est conception of the means of hardest warfare against it. Let it be said 
now in praise of his courage that when even Gerritt Smith quailed before 
popular opinion and slunk into the shelter of an insane asylum after the 
John Brown arrest at Harper's Ferry, Dr. Bowen, with the dauntless 
courage that was his highest attribute, faced a nation in arms, and when 
Seward and even Phillips and Garrison were frightened into seclusion, he 
walked abroad clothed on with the courage of his convictions. He returned 
to public life as a member of the Iowa Senate, was then appointed adju- 
tant general, an office which he surrendered earl}- in the war to accept 
promotion to the post of paymaster ^p the regular army, which he held 
through the civil struggle and urftil he resigned it some time after the war. 
His whole hfe betrayed the high blood of Virginia; self poised, brave pub- 
lic spirited, with a dash of the cavalier in him, few men have so well filled 
the space in life allotted to them. Five daughters survive him, one the 
widow of Ex-Senator Howell, of Keokuk, is in Europe, Mrs. Cadwallader 
lives at Stockton, California. Mrs. A. Beach is in Washington Cit}^ Mrs. 
Brad Pendleton, lives in Kansas, and Mrs. Capt. Sterling in Iowa City. 

JAMES CAVANAGH, born in Hamilton, Ohio, November 29, 1806, 
died in Iowa City, February 14, 1880, aged 73 years, 2 months and 15 
days. For forty-one years Judge Cavanagh was actively and creditably 
identified with Johnson county. His father was a native of Ireland, of 
that Cavanagh family which left its name stamped upon the geographical 
nomenclature of Ireland, but was driven from its native soil by the oppres- 
sions which sent at one time 450,000 of the flower of Irish youth to fight 
in the armies of every country of Europe. A Cavanagh and a McMahon 
ofiered their swords to France and in our day a Cavignac has sat upon 
his war horse and kept order in Paris when paving stones were flying 
into barricades almost without hands, and a McMahon has been the 
Marshal-President of the Republic which sprouted in the bloody ground 
of Sedan. In the scattering of this and other Irish families, the elder 
Cavanagh came to America, and married an Irish born girl. Of this 
pair James Cavanagh was born. In 1828 he removed to Michigan with 
his family and there James, two years later married Amy Kinney Town- 
send, of the New York Townsends. In Michigan he was successively 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 961 

justice of the peace, and for four years elected associate judge of the cir- 
cuit court for Cass count3^ Removing to Iowa in 1839, he was one of the 
early commissioners of this countv, was county assessor under the old law, 
and was commissioned by Gov. Stephen Hempsted to select the lands in 
the great 500,000 acre grant of the Federal government to Iowa. He 
was next a representative in the legislature and was the last county 
judge of this county, being the incumbent of that office when its duties 
were enlarged and its title changed to Auditor. He served acceptably as 
auditor under the new law and was subsequently several times elected 
justice. 

EMILY F. CUSTER, wife of James T. Robinson, born in Herkimer 
county, New York, February 26, 1822, died near Iowa City May 2, 1881, 
Mrs. Robinson was a sister of Messrs Paul and A. B. Custer. She was 
of that stout Knickerbocker race which settled not only the Island of New 
York but the shores of the Hudson as far north as Albany and away up 
that lovely valley threaded by the silvery Mohawk, leaving for all time its 
impress upon all the country in the names of its streams and mountains 
and valleys and villages. Of that blood were Van Ransellaer and the 
other great patrons, whose manors, larger than feudal baronies, spread 
their borders over a great part of the Empire Colony. The domestic 
virtues of her race and its graces of character were marked in Mrs. Rob- 
inson. She was married in 1842 and came to Iowa the following year. 
Of her twelve children, seven daughters and one son survive her, mourn- 
ing one who was indeed to them a mother in the tenderest implications of 
that tie which binds hearts but once and is broken never to be mended. 

GEORGE B. DeSELLEM, a farmer, residing in Pleasant Valley, 
post-office address, Iowa City; was born February 22, 1819, in Jefierson 
county, Ohio. He settled in Pleasant Valley township, Johnson county, in 
the fall of 1858, and resides on section 26. He acquired his education in 
Iowa City and was a graduate of the law school of the class of 1877. He 
was married October 24, 1873, to Miss Mary Guant, the daughter of 
William Guant, of Pleasant Valley. They have two children: Zou, five 
years of age, and Annie. He is a republican in pohtics. A member of 
the I. O. O. F. of Iowa City, also a member of the A. O. U. W., and 
Legion of Honor. 

CHARLES H. FAIRALL, farmer, post-office. West Branch; residing 
on section 2, Scott tow^nship; was born July 14, 1847, in Maryland, came 
to Johnson county in 1861. He was married November 30, 1872, to Miss 
Mary Lanning, of Iowa City. They have five children: Mary, Truman 
Mattie, Clara and Charles. Mr. Fairall is a democrat in politics, and has 
the honor of being elected to the office of clerk for Scott township. The 
only democrat ever filling that office since Scott township has been repub 
lican. He resides on the old Harris farm, owns 320 acres, 100 acres of it 



962 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

is the finest grove of timber in Johnson county. His specialties are rais- 
ing" hogs, cattle and corn; on his farm is a fine apple orchard, the oldest 
in the county, and plenty of small fruits. A good dwelling and a bank 
barn 50x75 feet, add to the value of his farm. He is one of Scott town- 
ship's successful farmers. He is a son of Truman Fairall, who died near 
Iowa City in 1869, and a brother of the Hon. S. H. Fairall, a prominent 
attorney of Iowa City. 

WILLIAM L. FIGG, of South Liberty, was born in Richmond, Old 
Virginia, on the 12th of June, 1812. In 1844 he left his native town and 
State, and emigrated to Indiana, where he lived two years. In 1846 he 
came to Iowa, found his way to South Liberty, entered land from the 
government, and went back to Indiana. In 1846 he returned to South 
Liberty, and settled on his homestead, where he died on the 8th of April, 
1879. He was then in his sixty-eighth year at his death. Esquire Figg 
was by no means a common man. For fourteen years a justice of the 
peace, a member of the board of supervisors, besides filling other offices 
of trust, he had the respect and confidence of his neighbors and a large 
circle of acquaintances. He had a family of fifteen children. 

JOSEPH KOZA, a resident of Iowa City, a butcher doing business 
on College street near Dubuque; was born Sept. 21, 1848, in Bohemia, 
Austria. Came to America in 1867, landed in New York. He came to 
Iowa City in August of the same year. He was married June 14, 1868, 
to Miss Mary Pechman. They have three children, Joseph, Emma and 
Eddie. He is a member of the Eureka Lodge, I. O. O. F. He is inde- 
pendent in politics. 

ROBERT LORENZ, residing at No. 624 East Market street, and a 
furniture dealer doing business on Dubuque street, Iowa City; was born 
May 31, 1852, in Berlin Prussia, came to America in August, 1852, with 
his parents, Herman Lorenz and wife. They lived in Philadelphia for 
a while and finally settled in Iowa Cit3Mn August, 1856. Herman Lorenz 
was married April 6, 1850, to Miss Bertha Berg, of Berlin; they had 
nine children: six are dead, and three living, Robert, Henry and Frank. 
Robert began the furniture and undertaking business in Iowa City in 
1880; keeps a fine stock of goods, and a perfectly equipped shop, being a 
practical cabinent-maker by trade he enjoys the confidence of a large 
number of customers, and is recognized as a first-class business man. 
The family are members of the German Lutheran Church. He is inde- 
pendent in politics. He was married October 25, 1882, to Miss Louisa 
Volkringer, of Iowa City. 

HON. CHARLES McCOLLISTER, was born January 8, 1799, in 
in Maryland, died May 23, 1876, at his home in Pleasant Valley township, 
Johnson county, Iowa. At three years of age his parents settled in Ross 
county, Ohio. He was married October 15, 1818, to Miss Mary Stinson, 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 96S 

and settled in Pike county, Ohio. The younfr couple began life in ear- 
nest, and life in Ohio in 1818 was different from life in the west now. At 
that date no railroad took the farmer's wheat to the sea and no steamboat 
had ruffled the current of western waters. Indian foot-prints were fresh 
in the forests where the young farmer hewed him out a house and cleared 
away the trees to let sunshine upon it. Here he tilled the soil and those 
of us who have seen his tall and stalwart form in old age, can judge how 
matchless must have been the force and how tireless the energ}'^ thrown 
. into the labors of his prime. As the country settled around him and 
neighbors came nearer, his talents for public business were frequently 
called into use by his fellow citizens, and the sturdy young democrat was 
often called from his fields to administer such offices as the growing soci- 
ety and the polity of his State required. To civil administration was 
added service in turn in each of the lay offices of the Presbyterian Church, 
which he had joined early in life and to which he remained a faithful 
adherent. About 1830 he was made associate justice of the court of com- 
mon pleas, and during seven years service on the bench was distinguished 
by a natural aptness and a judicial ability which made it evident if he had 
been trained for the bar that he might have won the foremost honors of 
the profession. In 1837 he was entrusted with the finances of his county 
by election as county treasurer, which place he held for three terms. His 
home was now no longer the frontier, but was teeming with population, 
and furnished young men to migrate, as their fathers had done before 
them, and to found new homes in Illinois and younger Iowa. In 1851 he 
was chosen to the important office of probate judge, which he filled very 
acceptably for two terms. In 1855 he left the old home, consecrated bj^ 
the memories of youth and hallowed by the trials of manhood, and com- 
ing to Iowa settled in Pleasant Valley upon a rich farm that bloomed 
around him like a principality. Here for a score of years he lived, 
surrounded by his children and respected by all who came to know him. 
The talents which had served so well in the trusts committed to him by 
the pioneer neighbors of 1820, had grown with the growth around him 
and ripened into that solid capacity and judgment which never erred, which 
so distinguished his very latest years. 

HON. SAMUEL H. McCRORY, was born August 6, 1807, in Rock- 
bridge count}^, Virginia, died in Iowa City, March 13, 1878. He came to 
Johnson county, Iowa, in 1837. He was married April 6, 1841, to Miss 
Elizabeth P. McCloud. He was a member of the convention that drafted 
the first state constitution of Iowa. He was a member of the legislature 
in 1855. He heldman}^ positions of honor, profit and trust in Iowa City 
and Johnson county. 

MARGARET HAYDEN MEDOWELL, was born in Washington 
county, Pennsylvania, May 28 ,1814. When she was a child but five years 
of age her parents, Miles Hayden and Sarah Caskey Hayden, moved to 



964 HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 

Orange township, Richland, (now Ashland) county, Ohio, and settled on 
a farm April 19, 1819. The family consisted of five sons and two dauj^h- 
ters, James, George, John, Morgan, Ellzey, Nancy and Margaret, John 
and Ellzey are still living. Margaret Hayden married Henry Medowell 
June 15, 1837, and with her husband and father came to Johnson county, 
Iowa, and settled in Big Grove township upon a farm in June, 1842, her 
mother having gone to her reward April 9, 1834, while the family lived in 
Ohio, and her father closed his earthly career January 25, 1819, and was 
buried near Solon in this county. And now, after nearly fort3'-five years of 
blissful married life the subject of this sketch, on the 5th day of May, 1882, 
departed this life and her noble spirit winged its everlasting flight to the 
God who gave it, leaving a kind and indulgent husband, a faithful and 
dutiful son, and a large circle of friends and relatives to mourn her depart- 
ure. Her son, Arthur Medowell, the present popular and efficient auditor 
of Johnson county, has lost the best friend he ever had, the husband a 
true and devoted wife, and the friends and relatives a kind and affectionate 
friend. Her life was adorned with the Christian graces of love, purity 
and truth, her heart was always warm with a mother's love, with sympa- 
thy for the afflicted, herself a child of suffering. She patiently waited 
death's messenger to close a well-spent life surrounded by kind and loving 
friends who did all in their power to soothe the fevered brow and allevi- 
ate her suffering. We can only say to the bereaved ones, "That into each 
life some rain must fall, some day be dark and dreary, but but never mind, 
behind the cloud there is a silver lining," and your resignation should be 
in the spirit expressed by the poet, when he says: 

" Strike thou, the master, 
We thy keys, the anthems of thy destinies. 
Our hearts shall breath the old refrain — 
Thy will be done." 

FRANK H. O'RILLY, a resident of Iowa City, was born May 27, 
1848, in New York. Came to Iowa City, Sept. 18, 1854. He was married 
Jan. 18, 1870, to Miss Mary A. Jennings. The following named children 
compose the family circle: Katie, born 1872; Theresa, born 1878, died 
1875, of whooping cough; Nonama, born 1879; James B., born 1881. 

MICHAEL O'RILEY, a resident of Iowa City and a contractor; was 
born 1851 in County Meyo, Ireland; came to America in 1867, landed in 
New York city; came to Iowa City, 1871. He was married May 27, 
1875, to Miss Maggie Kelty, of Iowa City; she died July 18, 1876. He is 
a democrat in politics, and served on the police force in Iowa City in 1881. 
He met with a severe accident in 1881, but has nearly fully recovered, and 
is engaged in contracting for digging large ditches, draining lands along 
the Iowa river in Johnson county; he understands his business and can 
get plenty of good work from his men, for he uses then well. He is a 
member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church of Iowa City. 



HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 965 

JAMES ROBINSON. Was born in Durham, Connecticut, Novem- 
ber 4, 1791; died in Worcester, Massachusetts, Januar}- 13, 1881, aged 
eighty-nine years, two months and nine days. The deceased was the 
the father of Mr. James T. Robinson, of West Lucas. He came to Iowa 
City in 1841, was our most prominent early leader of the Masonic order 
and we believe organized here the first lodge. He was the first mayor 
of Iowa City, under a municipal organization which was made before 1849, 
and was abandoned for the special charter. He returned east many years 
ago and reached a great age. Always an active and prominent and wise 
citizen, a trusted counselor and man of stout judgment, he was a leader 
in any community and retained these faculties to the end. 

MRS. CATHARINE ROHRET, widow of the late Wolfgang 
Rohret, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. John Sueppel, in this city, 
March 8, 1881, Monday at 7:50 a. m. She was a native of Bavaria, and 
last September reached the great age of eighty years. With her husband 
she came directly from the old world to Iowa in 1840, and here reared her 
four sons and one daughter. She was a good woman in all relations, and 
leaves a serene and beautiful memory to her many descendants. 

ROBERT WALKER, born in Schenectady county, N. Y., Oct. 4, 
1802; died Oct. 28, 1879, in Johnson county, Iowa. Mr. Walker came to 
Johnson county in 1838, and was the first justice of the peace of Johnson 
county, Iowa. In that official capacit}^ he administered the oath of office 
to the Capital Commissioners who located the territorial capital on what 
is now Iowa City. In 1853, he married a sister of Hon. Le Grand Bying- 
ton, who survives him. In 1860, he moved upon his farm near Tiffin, 
where he died. During all his long life and his residence of forty-one 
years he worthily filled an influential position, and earned and deserved 
the respect which was accorded him. 

AQUILLA WHITACRE, was born at Hopewell, near Winchester, 
Virginia, the 7th of 9th month, 1797, and removed with his parents, Rob- 
ert and Patience Whitacre, in 1805, near to Miami Monthly Meeting at 
Waynesville, Warren county, Ohio. In 1820, or near that date, he was 
united in marriage with Ruth Anna Potts, daughter of Samuel and Mary 
Potts. After the death of his first wife, which was in the year 1838, he 
was united in marriage with Ann Cook, daughter of Abram and Ruth 
Cook, in the spring of the year 1844; died April 23, 1876. In 10th month, 
7th, 1865, certificates were received for him, his wife, and minor children, 
at Wapsononoc Monthly Meeting, Iowa, from Miami Monthly Meeting, 
Ohio. Three years afterwards, through his influence, a meeting house 
was built, and an indulged meeting established at Highland, Johnson 
county, Iowa, and at his death he bequeathed funds to build an addition, 
which has been done, a preparative meeting established there, and the 
monthly meeting held alternatively there, and at West Liberty. Soon 



QQQ HISTORY OFJOHNSON COUNTY. 

after his removal to Iowa, he was appointed to the station of Elder, which 
station he filled until the time of his death, and of him it may be truly said, 
"He was indeed a Father in Israel." He was divinely inspired with the 
true spirit of discernment which enabled him to judge rightly in reference 
to the ministry, sometimes in a feeling manner, to extend a word of cau- 
tion or reproof, at other times when any of the little ones were in a low, 
discouraged state, he could enter into feeling with them, and as a true 
father, he was sent by his Divine Master to extend to them timely words 
of encouragement, to stimulate them to persevere in well-doing, to faith- 
fully obey the impressions of duty, and thus receive the sure penny of 
reward. He was one who was not only able, but willing, to be useful to 
his fellow beings, by rendering them pecuniary aid, when such aid was 
required. Being kind and benevolent in disposition, he was well calculated 
to do much good in the community in which he lived. Being of a social, 
genial disposition, it was a real pleasure to be in his company. Carrying 
out both by precept and example, those lovely traits of a true christian 
character, he was indeed worthy of esteem. He was concerned to exer- 
cise christian charity toward those who did not see things just as he did. 
He was, when in health, a consistent attender of all our meetings. 

HON. SAMUEL WORKMAN, died at the age of fifty-six, in Memp- 
his, Tennessee, January, 1881, and was buried in the God's acre, near his 
old home in Washington, Pennsylvania, which holds the dust of many 
generations of his house. Mr. Workman came to Johnson county, Iowa, 
a youth, in early days and was for many years a powerful figure in public 
affairs. An acute and successful business man he took an active part in 
politics, and represented this district in the State Senate with credit to 
himself and his party. He revisited this city a few years ago and then 
showed but few signs of age or declining strength. His sister, Mrs. 
Samuel H. Fairall, and their nieces the Misses Koontz, and their nephew 
George Koontz, are representatives of his family left here. 



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